THE MYRA KEMBLE SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9402, 8 January 1894, Page 5

THE MYRA KEMBLE SEASON.

: " A PEER OP THE REALM." Of a totally different type to. the pieces played in Auckland by the Myra Kemble combination was a "Peer of the Realm," produced on Saturday at the Opera House before a large and decidedly sympathetic audience. There is nothing original in the plot of the drama, for such it Ib. The old story of marrying for love against a father's will again serves its purpose. But the "writing up" is far beyond the average of plays of its kind, usually, though wrongly considered good enough for New Zealand. In fact the dialogue is of considerably literary merit — particularly so is it in the lines alloted to Dr. Kennedy. One very commendable feature of the piece is its balance of characters ; there is "no one man part," but everyone has something to do. Miss Myra Kemble hud a new role as Eva Kennedy, the girl whose romantic attachment to a young Oxford student, and pupil of her father's, has ripened into strong lovo, whioh is returned by the Hon. Jack Darrell, played by Mr. Edward Sass. Both Miss Kemble and Mr. Sass gave artistic renderings to the parts second to none they have given in Auckland. Where emotion was required it was never overdone, and throughout the impersonations were natural as life. Miss Emma Gwynne too, was at her best as Kate Vernon, the friend of Eva, as was also Miss Flora Anstead- as Mrs. Vince. Few can play an old lady's part better than Miss Anstead. Mr. (George Leitch as Montagu Tagg had not a great deal to do ; what there was however was really fine comedy. Mr. Loitch's comedy, as it always is, was effective and quiet. Mr. M. Majeroni was the aristocrat, Lord Ash* meade, to perfection ; Mr. Scott Inglis made a lot of the part of Percy Prescott; Mr. H. Plimmor played Martin Fanshawe with sustained power } while Mr. A. J. Ivemey's Dr. Kennedy was a study of refined acting. Master Tommy Tempest was undoubtedly good as Steven James. Taken all in all " A Peer of the Realm" as played by the Myra Kemble Company mast meet with success. "THE PROILIGATE." This evening Miss Kemble will introduce to Auckland playgoers what is undoubtedly allowed to be one of the greatest plays of the present century. In " The Profligate " the famous dramatist, Mr. A. W. Plnero, has givon the play-going world a work that depends largely for success on soundness of design and an accomplished literary style, instead of sketching a few thrilling situations, and creating characters to suit, the author has given an exceedingly natural sort of story, in which the more forcible events occur as necessary incidents. As the London Times remarked, " lb is a play that will live—it is a play that everyone should see." It may also be remarked, to meet a possible"objection on the part of those who have nob read the early press notices on the play, that it deals nob with present profligacy, but with the results of that sin. Miss Myra Kemble and the members of her company, have gained unstinted praise at the hands of the Southern press for their, performance of " The Profligate," and it may not be out of place here to mention that the drama was produced in Wellington for seven nights to splendid houses, and towards the close of the season, so many requests reached the management for a revival that two additional nights were devoted to its representation, the theatre again being crowded to its utmost capacity. Speaking of Miss Kemble'a impersonation of *? Leslie Brudetiel," an exchange writes : " Miss Myra Kemble was the impersonator of Leslie, and we may say without hesitation that While it is the most difficult part this lady has undertaken in Wellington, it is the one in which she gains 'the highest honors. The conception Was consistent, thoughtful, and artistic, and a weak spot in the presentation might be looked for in vain." It is pleasant) to hear thab there is every possibility of the curtain rising to a full house this evening, and iwe are requested ;to state thafc under no circumstances ,1 can "The Profligate," be played ,' more than ' three nights. The Komble season closes on Friday next.