“JEAMES”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 14

“JEAMES”

“Jeames” was produced at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening by the Wyburd Dramatic Company for the benefit of Mr Carey. There was a good audience, and the performance went capitally. It is founded upon the Yellow Plush Papers, although, save that we have an ambitious footman, several types of a noble, but impecunious aristocracy, and that the cast is replete with such essentially Thackeryan names as Bareacres, Southdown, Cinqbars, and others, there is not a great deal about the comedy to remind one of its origin.However, it is undoubtedly a very good piece, its weak spot being that it s, in the first act, of that particular class technically known as “ talkey.’’ In the other three acts, however, incident and dialogue leave very little to

be desired. The central figure is, of course, Jeames (otherwise De la Pluche or Plushington) ; . and this part was assumed last night by Mr Carey. The character which Burnand has limned is not an easy one. The footman is sentimental and silly by turns—serious and ridiculous in the same breath ; aud only very careful acting indeed ' will prevent the character from appearing either wishy-washy on the one hand or unnaturally funny on the other. Mr Carey observed this carefulness, and played the part capitally, presen! ing_ quite a picture of the footman millionaire. His acting in the third act, where Jeames discovers that he has lost all his money, was very fine, and fully proved the actor's ability. Mr Carey was fortunate in having such a good Mary Ann Hoggins as Miss May Hill, ,who played the part very much better than she has ever played anything in Wellington.before. Mr J. L. Hall was in his element as Mr Wm. Blodder, an elderly individual, who is net aristocratic ; and Miss Bessie Vivian was equally happy as Mrs Blodder. Of the other parts, Mr Dunbar was a capital Earl of Bareacres; and Miss Feld played Emily Aldgate very well. Mr Grenfell was Sir John Aldgate, and would probably have been a very good one if he had known his part. The piece was capitally dressed, and, as has been said, went very well indeed.