“THE MILLIONAIRE.”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 777, 21 January 1887, Page 14

“THE MILLIONAIRE.”

The large audience which Slled the Opera House Tuesday night—the occasion being the beginning of Mr Wyberfc Reeve’s company s season here—was quite a refreshing change from the beggarly arrays of empty benches which have been so frequently seen here lately at theatres. Mr Reeve and his company, however, are much above the standard of average merit, for it is a pleasant feature of all their performances that every part in the piece, whatever it be, is well played—that the actors and actresses may dress and behave like gentlemen and ladies without appearing strange in the one, or under the necessity of acting very vigorously to keep up appearances in the other. Consequently it is not to be wondered at that the company is well patronised. The piece played Tuesday night was “ The Millionaire,” in which the cast was exactly the same as when it was produced here a month or two ago. At that time it was criticised at length, and it is unnecessary, therefore, to enter upon any detailed notice of the performance now. Mr Reeve’s acting in Ned Guyon was as fresh and vigorous as ever, not at all perfunctory, and generally speaking, an immense success. Mr Laurence has not yet lost his claim to be rated the best actor we have had here for years in such parts as Thacker, and Mr Brian Darley’s Robert Streightly was a gentlemanly and capable performance. Also there was Mr George Forbes, who always plays young sprigs of nobility with weak intellects and jovial manners—and always plays them well.

Mr Hoyte, too, deserves praise for his representation of Gordon Frere. Miss Lucia Harwood’s Lady Henmarah was an extremely well-acted part, and may be classed as one of the best efforts this talented lady has made. Miss Fitzroy was a capital Katherine Guyon, and Miss Ellicott showed by her acting in Hester Gould that she has improved a great deal. The other parts in the piece were all well well played, and the mounting was perfect. ■ _