PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10032, 25 April 1894, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

"LITTLE LORD FATTNTLEROY.

Considering the great favour which Mrs Burnett's touching play of "Little Lord Fauntleroy" was received when it was first produced here some years ago it' would not have been unreasonable to expect that its performance by the Kennedy-Deering company—a company which had won tho reputation of giving a thoroughly good representation of the piece—would attract a large audience, and though them was a fair house at the Princess Theatre last night to witness the play, the dress circle being well patronised, it was certainly a matter for surprise that the attendance was not very much larger than was the case. Not merely the charm of the play but the quality of the performance merited a larger measure of support, for though the piece was not in all re•pects played equally as well as on the occasion of its former production here—and it would have been ridiculous to expect that, for the company which introduced the piece to our notice was a company specially organised for that, and for no other, purpose—the production was an evenly satisfactory one, the play went very smoothly, and the piece was mounted with a completeness and effectiveness which could not have been surpassed itself. Of the play itself it is unnecessary to say anything—tho story, which possesses special attractions for the young, but still appeals strongly to "children of the older growth, is so well known that reference to it would be superfluous. Special interest, of course, attaches to the performance of the part of Lord Fauntleroy, which was, in the occasion under notice, filled by little Jiuby Kennedy. This child, who has earned golden opinions in various parts of tho colony by her portrayal of the character, was suffering from a cold which, however, did not prevent her from delivering her lines so distinctly that not a word was missed. She played not only with intelligence, but with ease and naturalness, and if any fault could be found with the representation of the character it certainly could not be on the ground of the child's acting, but on account of her size Ruby Kennedy cannot help growing older and bigger, and she cannot expect very much longer to play the part of Lord Fauntleroy. Miss Linda Raymond played sympathetically and pleasingly in the part of Mrs Errol, but, if anything, was wanting in intensity; and Miss Lily Hill brought out in bold relief tho character of the adventuress. Mr Oily Deering mads his points well as Mrs Errol's Irish retainer; Mr Kennedy's representation of Silas Hobbs was distincly praiseworthy, and Mr Moss played satisfactorily as Dick, the bootblack; but Mr Norton's Ejrl of Dorincoutt was not a peevish, crotchety, tottering old nobleman, a martyr to gout, and detonating like a cannon, as we have had him represented before, but rather an amiable and occasionally even languid person. Mr Saville played with firmness the part of Havisham, and Mr Coulter's representation of Higgins was a decidedly good and creditable sketch. The performance was recoived with marked satisfaction, and the representatives of the principal characters were called after each act.

This evening " My Partner," in which the company scored a great success on Monday night, will be repeated by special request, and it should draw a large house, while it is notified that a matinee of " Little Lord Fauntleroy" will be given on Saturday afternoon.

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