ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8630, 28 July 1891, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

The representation of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," given last night by the members of the Dobson Kennedy Dramatic Company, was of such unquestionable merit that the success of thoir Auckland season should be assured. 'In "The Shaughraun " they had previously found favour with a large section of the public, but it remained for them to show, as they now have done, that they are capable of presenting in an acceptable form a drama which essentially demands delicate and artistic treatment. The dramatised version of Mrs. Hodgson Burnett's famous novel is one of the few productions of the kind in which the beauties of the original are not entirely lost, and the coherence of the story irretrievably ruined, but notwithstanding the ingenuity and ability of the adapter it is still a drama exacting in its requirements. There are no thrilling situations or declamatory heroies, no bloodthirsty villains and persecuted heroes, and even the limelight has fow opportunities to exercise its powerful influence. There is nothing, in short, to beguile a virtuous British audience into a state of unreasonable and unreasoning enthusiasm ; nothing but a charming story charmingly developed, and the all-pervading personality of a charming little boy. Such material necessitates skillful manipulation, and the fact that the Dobson-Kennedy Company succeeded in thoroughly pleasing and satisfying their large audience yesterday evening is proof incontroverfciblcof their capabilities. Of course the little lord is the first character to claim attention, and if it were always so well delineated as it is by Miss Ruby Kennedy ib would always deserve the honour of being very highly commended. The test of public criticism in connection with the character has now become a somewhat severe ordeal—the part has been so excellently played throughout Iμew Zealand before that the standard by which it is judged has become exceptionally high, but yet it is an ordeal from which the little Miss Kennedy issues triumphantly. To compare her with the other exponents of the character would be distinctly invidious, even though it would certainly be in no way derogatory to her, and it may be therefore sufficient tjo say that sho acquitted herself in such a manner as to justify the management, if only for her pake, in making " Little Lord Fauntleroy " the trump card of their repertoire. She was natural, free, and unaffected; sho conducted herself as became the generous-hearted scion of a noble English family, and she spoko her lines clearly and brightly. It is true that the part is one which almost " plays itself," that the words have only to be uttered and understood to produce a marked effect, but it must also bo said that to piny it as this litfclo lady plays it necessitates tho possession of considerable inherent capability. Miss Idrono Thornton made tho character of Mrs. Errol what it was intended to be, that of a refined and cultured lady, a devoted and self - sacrificing mother. Resisting the temptation to extravagance which how and again occurs, she succeeded in earning the unqualified approbation of the audience. The " vulgar, loud-voiced, and coarse" American adventuress Minna was represented by Miss Lily Hill in a decidedly loud-voiood manner; indeed, it is just possible, if a suggestion maybe offered, that a little toning down, especially in the second act, would not be resented. On the male fiido of, the house tho laurels of the evening fell to Mr. Dobson, whose Karl of Dorincourt was an even and admirable performance. Mr. Kennedy, as Mr. Hobbs, gavo a clever bit of character-acting, and, as a matter of course, created vast amusement. Mr. Norton was a good representative of the orthodox stage lawyer, and tho other parts were well filled. The drama ran smoothly throughout, while the sotting and the appointments arc entitled to special commendation. For this evening " The Colleen Buwn" is announced, and will probably draw anothor excollont house.