ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7020, 17 May 1884, Page 5

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

"THE RIVALS." Thr Youth Company revived "The Rivals" last night, the occasion being honoured by the presence of His Excellency the Governor. The weather was most inclement, and the attendance was not as large as might have been otherwise expeoted. This company was known to possess the material of a' strong cast for comedy. . Mr. H. E. Walton was the Sir Anthony Absolute;' Miss WattsPhillips, Lydia Languish; Mr. Cates, Captain Absolute; Mr.' Hazlitt, JMklahd; Mrs. Woolridge, Mrs. Malaprop; Mr. Carey, Sir Luoius O'Trigger; Mr. Tolano, Fag. Mr. J. B. Greville had the rile of Bob Acres, and Mr. Hodson that of David. The audience was sufficiently appreciative to admire, and intelligent to understand, the ' speciality which makes English comedy the highest form of dramatic entertainment. There must allowance be made for a performance of this, class, given for the first time, towards the close of a season occupied with a very differant "lineof business.' Mr. Walton was a oapital Sir Anthony, and Mr. Gates a very effective Jack; Miss Watts-Phillips played the part of Lydia Languish very fairly; Miss Alice Woolridge was a pert and "graceful Lucy. Mrs. Woolridge as Mrs. Malaprop was excellent upon the .low comedy side of the part; for it must not be forgotten that every grade of society has its Mrs. Malaprop, although the type is not so well marked in some classes of society as others: It was an impersonation that had merits for its directness if not for its completeness or for polish, and the humour of the part lost nothing of its force by the broad deliverance of the malapropos phases. But the chief interest was concentrated in Mr. Greville's Bob- Acres. This is a r6U surrounded by traditional memories of great actors. The part is one—indeed all such parts are. in the same category—which requires special personal qualificatione as much as a faculty of humour considered as a mental product." The comedian who would play • Bob Acres or Tony Lumpkin, Toby. Twinkle, and rdles ot this class must represent the original type in manner and gait and figure, as well as in .looks and in mind. There' is a legal maxim that external signs indicate internal secrets. Tho converse of this is the case in presenting mental peculiarities which must be interpreted by external forms. Mr. Greville possesses this adaptability to such rSles. You cannot look in his face and mistake the kind of man which it pourtraye. Mr. Carey's Sir Lucius was distinguished by accurate perception of the requirements of the part, and the pronounced commonplaces of valour and gallantry with which audiences are familiar. An excellent performance also was Mr. Tolano's Fag. It was free from every kind of exaggeration. The same may be said of this actor in a less degree than has been said of Mr. Greville. Taken as a whole, the performance was a good one, and seemed to give great satisfaction. The management have announced "Rob Roy "for this evening. The revival of this fine old drama should draw a full house.