THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4163, 24 July 1874, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

It is -well that one has an opportunity of seeing so talented a young lady as Miss Koaa Towers twice in one part, for, to say sooth, she improves-, if that is possible, on acquaintance, would she only forget that she is playing to an audience, and trust to Nature to enlist sympathy instead of depending on art. But to turn to those artists who are supporting this young lady, and to give first place, of necessity, to the fairer portion of them—Miss Jessie Raymond has a part in which there is much scope for acting, something after the Lady Audley style. The lady has a good stage face, a sympathetic voice, impaired as it is just now by a severe cold, and knows her business thoroughly. In all the scenes in which she appeared she gave a fair rendering of the hopes, fears, and despondent doubts which might reasonably be supposed to fill the heart of a woman whose life’s history had been one of shame, misery, and disgrace. It may be urged against this lady that she at times failed to realise the intensity of the position in which she was placed, as far as an emotional conception of the situation may be concerned. Otherwise, her performance is one which stamps' her as one of the best juvenile actresses in all the Colonies. Mrs. Frank Towers has considerable talents in the line of eccentric comedy, and should endeavor to improve them by retaining as far as possible that line of business. Miss Ettie Howard has to do what no actor or actress ever desires to do, double two most objectionable parts. That she performs her task with credit to herself and with satisfaction to the audience is clearly an assurance that she has marked ability. Of our old friend, Mr. Burford, it would be impossible to say an unkindly word. His part of, Hugh Cassidy at the best is an unthankful one (stage villains always are), but the best compliment to his powers was given last

sight, when the audience fairly biased him, or, rather, we should say the sentiments which he expressed. Mr, Frank Towers is a comedian of much promise ; he should remember, though, that it is too easy for a low comedian to exaggerate. The other characters may be dismissed with a word ; not, certainly, because they were badly played, but because the dramatist has given them no defined opportunity by which an actor could reasonably be expected to make a mark. Of Mr. Thorpe, however, it may fairly be said that he has the materials in him of an actor in a most despised but most essential lino of business—that of walking gentleman. The scenery is well painted, and Mr. Kemp need not bo ashamed in the least degree of the work of his hand. To take the piece itself last, it is a cheerful jumble of incongruities, which prefers effect to probability. Still, like “ The Daughter of the Regiment ” dramatised, it has this good effect—it shows us how one swallow can make a summer : it shows how bright a rising star the little girl Rosa Towers must be, when surrounded by tawdry furbelow and fustian she can make her audience cry and laugh by turns. The piece will be repeated this evening.