PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10035, 28 April 1894, Page 3

PRINCESS THEATRE.

{ The Kennedy-Deering Dramatic Company appeared again at the Princess Theatre last evening, and gave a long but entertaining psr- ■ formance before a good house, the attendance being larger than on the previous evening. There , was a change of programmo, and a double bill ! was presented. \V. S. Gilbert's mythological i comedy, "Pygmalion and Galatea," was pro- ; duced in a manner which gave very general : satisfaction. It is not a piece in which the com- ! pany appear to the best advantage, but the performance was not without considerable merit. Miss Lynda Raymond played well throughout as the animated statue, and ably interpreted both the humour and the pathos of the part. Mr peering, who assumed the r6le of Chrysas, was irresistibly funny, and kept the audience in good spirits, as he.generally manages to do in either comedy or farce. There ,'was a good deal of power in Sir Norton's acting 'as Pygmalion, and the part was evenly sustained. Miss Grace Foster made a veiy good Daphne, and Misß Lily Hill, who as Cyaisca had a difficult and important part, played with commendable care. Considering the frequency with which the changes of programme occur the piece was very well mounted. The set scene was appropriate and the costumes effective. As we have mentioned, none of the humour of the comedy was lost, and it proved most amusing. The after-piece consisted of the popular Irish comsdy •'O'Callaghan on His Last Leg*." There is practically one character only in this farcical comedy — the versatile O'Callagban—all the others being merely accessory and comparatively insignificant. Mr Kennedy appeared as O'Callaghan, and his delineation of the character was admirable. It is one of Mr Kennedy's strong characters, and would alone be sufficient to secure him a good reputation as a icomedian. Tee laughter which be evoked was hearty, general, and persistent, and beyond question he played the part with marked success, as ■ was demonstrated by the effect produced on the audience. The subsidiary parts were all well filled, and Mr Kennedy was ( suitably, supported by the other members of the company who were included in the cast. »This afternoon a performance is to be given which should be, and probably will be, witnessed by a very.lavge number of young people. " Little Lord Fauntleroy" as a story cannot fail to interest, amuse, and instruct, and as a drama it is particularly effective. The company play: the piece remarkably well, and under these circumstances, with popular prices of admission, there should be a bumper house. In connection with this performance it may be mentioned that by payment of a small extra charge early admission maybe gained by the High street entrance. In the evening there will be another change of programme, and the interesting drama "'Current Cash" will be produced.