ABBOTTS OPERA MOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8628, 25 July 1891, Page 6

ABBOTTS OPERA MOUSE.

The Dobson-Kennedy Dramatic Company commenced their Auckland season at the Opera House last night, and selected as the opening piece Boucicault's " The Shaughraun," one of the most popular of the author's works, and one which introduces a great variety of Irish * character. It is evident that the management have taken pains to mount the play appropriately, forsome of the scenery is very good indeed, the ruined abbey in the secotid act being very artistically brought out, and the moving scene in the escape from prison was effective. In regard to the drama, which so greatly depends on the skill of the title role, Mr. J. J- Kennedy creditably sustained a , part which has proved trying to the capabilities of eminent actors. It was genial, natural, full of frolic, and temperei with a fine sentiment and manliness, which showed that he had made the part a study. If it was not a thorough representation of the Irish Shaughraun, it was certainly a correct representation of Dion Boucicault's ideal of that character, and he carried his audience with him. Hβ possesses a thorough comicvein of humour, admirable facial expression —in fact, a mobility of countenance which is nob often possessed—and he sank his identity in the part, and made it a success, which was recognised by the audience from start to finish. Mr. Colletb Dobson, a recognised favourite on the Auckland stage, made his renewal bow to his audience in the somewhat incongruous character of Robert ITiolliott, bus he made a feature of the representation, bringing out all the salient points effectively, and playing throughout a carefully 3tudied and withal a manly part. The same may bo said of Mr. Frank Norton, who played Captain Molyneux. It was played with great discrimination. The manly honour of the English officer, always a favourite with Boucicault, was well delineated, and Mr. Norton, who did not neglect tho necessary accessories of careful dress, scored a very important triumph. Mr. W. E. Jermyn had the obnoxious parts of the squireen Corry Kinchella allotted to him, and he represented it very well. Mr. Paul Creighton also made a good deal of the part of the police spy, " Harvey Duff," although ic was hardly necessary to assume such n hideous stoop and gait, as he thought necessary for the proper representation of his role. Mr. Harry Saville had a congenial part in the role of " Father Dolan," tho pariah priest, and he made the most of it. There was a nice blend of inherent humour and strict integrity which fairly took the attention of the audience, and he was one of the first to

appear before the curtain in response to the call of the audience. Mias Lily Hill as Clare Ffolliott, and Miss May Vernon as Arte O'Neal also gave careful studies of the characters, and Miss Idrene Thornton as Jloya. was quite a success, and her song, " The Wearing of the Green" in the second act fairly btought down the house. The minor characters were sustained with a good deal of fidelity, and for an opening night the company is to be congratulated on the very complete manner in which the drama was produced. Ib will be repeated this evening.