AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

PEEP O’ DAY AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Mr Grattan R’ggs, the celebrated Irish comedian, re-opened at the Theatre on Monday night for a short farewell season of six nights, supported, as on the occasion of his former visit, by Mr Charles McMahon’s dramatic company. There was a very good bouse, the pit and stalls being well filled. The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, who were kept amnsed and interested throughout. The piece performed was an Irish drama of the sensational type, entitled “ Peep o’ Day.” The drama abounds in striking and stirring scenes, some of which were worked up in a very effective manner by the actors, the most noticeable being, perhaps, the glen scene and the rescue of Kathleen. Additional effect was lent to this scene by the novelty of a real waterfall, excelling in effect anything hitherto seen on the stage in this city. Mr R : ggs gives a powerful impersonation of Barney O’Toole, who, while brimfull of humor, is faithful and true to his friends. Mr Riggs renders the humorous and pathetic sides of the Irish peasant character in a true and artistic manner. The part certainly does not give him much scope for the exercise »f the abilities of which he is possessed, but every point, both pathetic and amusing, is done full justice to and with telling effect on the audience. Mr Robert Inman displayed dramatic ability of a high order in his representation of the dual characters of Harry Kavanagh and Captain Peep o’ Day. Mr. C. A. Fenton’s pourtrayal of the villain, Stephen Purcell, was a good performance of a thankless part. The character-part of Black Mullins was done justice to by Mr Charles Seagrave ; and Mr Joyce’s Father O’Cleary was good In many respects. Miss Emma Bronton looked and performed the role of Kathleen in a very pleasing and natural manner. Mr R. Poulton did the little allotted to him very creditably. Miss Madge Inman made up very well for the old liish hag, Molshee. The characters of Patrick Grace (Mr F. A. Grantley) and Captain Howard (Mr Charles Thompson) wete both fairly played. In the first act Miss Addie Capper Bang “ Avourneen Dtelish ” very prettily, and Miss Jessie Grey received a welldeserved encore for her graceful dancing of an Irish jig in the fair scene, which by the way was rather tame. The piece is staged in a very satisfactory manner, the waterfall scene being especially pretty. Many marks of applause were shown by the audience who appeared thoroughly interested iu the development of the plot. The performance altogether is a very amusing and interesting one.