"THE GUVNOR"AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 36

"THE GUVNOR"AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

The initial performance given by the combined forces of the Albert Lucas and J. J. Kennedy Dramatic Companies attracted a capital house at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night. Both companies have been before the Dunedin public now for a considerable time, and that during their respective seasons they have been accorded a large measure of support is sufficient testimony of the meritorious character of their performances. The amalgamation of the two has certainly resulted in the formation of a strong " stock" company, and if the standard of excellence- attained by them whilst in their separate state is maintained, the wants of playgoers will be well catered for. The piece selected for the opening night of the new regime was "Tho Guvnor"—a comedy that has been produced in Dunedin on more than one occasion in the past. The piece, with its long series of humorous complications and misunderstandings, was admirably produced, and mat with a highly favourable reception, the audience giving way perpetually to hearty outbursts of merriment. The part of Theodore Maccleafleld, the old Thames boatbuilder, who was so outrageously deaf, waa capitally sustained by Mr J. J. Kennedy. He was particularly effective when, being waited upon by the unsophisticated youth, he labours under th&delusion that the young mat| Irishes to boy his yacht Curie, whereas he hai

come to seek his daughter Carrie's hand in marriage. The drollery of the situation attained a climax when tho old man, who perpetually "I can't hear a bloomin word he ,B»ya»" abjures the horrified suitor to wait till he "eees " his Carrie in stays," and declares how fast she was, how well sho looked in paint, and how he would make no abatement in the price he demanded for her. As Freddy Butterscotch, Carrie's suitor, Mr Albert Lucas was equally effective, and gave a consistent representation of the part. The impediment in his speech, which did not tend to facilitate an explanation of the difficulties when they arose was delivered with humour and naturalness which were cot lost upon the audience. Mr Frank Norton did not lose a single point in his impersonation of the retired confectioner, his air of bewilderment wheu he found hiimelf helplessly befogged in the tangled skein of misunderstandings which arose was most amusing. Mr Greenaway's duties as Theodore Macclesfield, jud., were not heavy, but he presented .a conscientious und painstaking slu>ly of the part. Miss Lilla Wilde acted with all the enthusiastic joyousne3B associated with the character of the careless, happy young daughter of the boatbuilder, ana was accorded frequent and appreciative rounds of applause. Miss Hettie Howardo was a capital Mrs Macclesfield, while Mr J. S. Montgomery made quits a hit as the Yorkshire groom, who, mistaken by Butterscotch for an expected visitor, is entertained in the drawing room and presented with a bride in the person of Miss Butterscotch. Miss Lily Hill acted with skill as Mrs Butterscotch, while other partß were more or Ices effectively taken by Miss Ina Laureuce, Miss Atleigh, Messrs Harry Saville, Milton Ross, C R. Hill, Paul Creyton, and W. Sedger. "The Guvnor" was to give place to the well-known and popular drama " The Ticket of- Leave M*n " on Wednesday, and on Thursday night the play held in such appreciation by the fair sex— "East Lynne"— will be staged.