CITY HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10240, 24 December 1894, Page 6

CITY HALL.

There was a moderateattendanceatthe City Hall on Saturday night, when the Kennedy Dramatia and Comedy Company reproduced the farcical comedy, " The Strategist." Mr Albert Lucas and Miss Lilla Wilde appeared, as on the previous occasion, in the characters of the male and female strategists respectively, and acquitted themselve3 in such a manner as to provoke the heartiest daniOßStrations of approval. Good service was aka rendered by other members of the company, the result being that the audience were delighted with tlie comedy from beginning to end. ; " The Old Homestead," the drama with which Mr Kennedy will, on Boxing night, open a new season at the City Hall, is a domestic story of powerful interest, which has enjoyed a long run of prosperity in England and America. Speaking of its production in Glasgow, some time ago, an eminent critic said : " There is humanity in tha new domestic drama. You can hear the heart* beats in it as distinct as drum-taps ; and the old; old story of pure love and unaltered devotion ia told with a sweetness of language and a charm of manner that win and hold attention, while they, stir the emotions of the listener, and bring homa thoughts to each heart that cannot fail of recognition, recalling tender scenes and home-lika pictures with, which the early life of evers true man and every true woman are familiar. In criticising Mr Leitch's performance of Joe Stammers, the genial old tinkerman, on the ksß production of the drama at the Criterion Theatre,! Sydaey, when Mr Leitch appeared in it with' Myra Kenible and the Brough and Boncicault Company, the Sydney Morning Herald remarked : " It is one of the most perfect performances to ba seen on the contemporary stage, and is rendered ' by the accomplished comedian, Mr George Leitch, with rare discrimination. Nothing could ba more tender and true than his pathos in the graver, and nothing more enjoyable than his depiction of the ludicrous side of the character. It is entirely by a quiet, correct, and complete illustration of the general character that this actor embodies what the author conceived, and furnishes us with the means of pleasing reflection and delightful meditation. Throughout, Mr. Leitch's delineation is one of those masterly pieces of acting that cannot fail to create tha greatest eclat and draw the greatest approval. Tha play will be mounted on the most lavish scale, special scenery being painted by Mr lugleson, and the cast will include Mr J. Kennedy, Mr Lucas, Mr Norton, Mr Saville, Miss Wilde, Miss Howard, Miss Carlyon, and the whole _ strength of the company. A sscred concert will be given to-morrow night, when Signora Venosta and her concert companj will take part.