THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4272, 28 November 1874, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE WILLOW COPSE. There was a house full in all parts at the Theatre Royal last evening, on tho occasion of a benefit to Mr. Charles Massey, the scenic artist of the company. The play presented was the “Willow Copse,” an English drama which possesses no intrinsic merit in itself. It, however, afforded ample scope to the heucficiare, who prepared some excellent scenery for the occasion, the copse scene being tho signal for a burst of applause which was only silenced by the bow of the artist. The Falcon Inn was also well placed on the canvas, and the other new scenes reflected credit upon Mr. Massey. Miss Stephenson enacted the role of Rose Fielding, which may be regarded as among that lady’s best impersonations, and well deserved the calls before the curtain which the audience gave. Rose Fielding’s father was represented by Mr. Burford, whose acting was vigorous and natural, and exhibited in a marked degree the versatility which he is well known to possess. Miss Follande, as Meg, made too much of the character entrusted to her, although she assumed the country dialect in a maimer worthy of praise. Augustus was sustained by Mr. Hydes, who was as funny as usual, and fairly brought down the house in the robbery scene. Mr. Massey rendered Bill Staggers excellently. The other characters call for no particular comment, excepting that of Lord Bubblemere, which received but scant justice at the hands of the player. The company present a heavy bill for this evening, when a new sensational drama, “ The Dead Witness ” and the “ Rough Diamond ” will be played.