THEATRE ROYAL.

Colonist, Volume XLIII, Issue 9692, 23 January 1900, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE LYCEUM DRAMATIC COMPANY,

The Lyceum Dramatic Company opened last night to a very fair house with a dramatisation of Nat Gould's sporting novel " The Double Event," and, on the whole, an excellent performance was given. Some crudities there were, but these may well be passed over in view of the general all-round excellence, of which the audience from time to time gave ample evidence of approbation. Especially was this so in the scene representing the Melbourne Cup race, for, considering the limitations imposed by the stage, this scene was most creditably staged. Three horses, two of them, " The Secret " and " Maori King, ' well known to the public, in other arenas, took part in the representation, and behaved themselves admirably, and there is no doubt that last ' night's was the most successful equestrian scene yet produced on the stage of the Theatre RoyaL In other respects the staging deserves commendation, and the Company proved to be of all round capability. Mr Walter Dalgleish, in the part of the hero of the piece, Jack Marston. acted with freedom, and well sustained the part of a good-hearted straight-going young Eng- 1 lishman, while Mr Charles Blake acted admirably as Jack Fletcher, whose machinations gave rise to the dramatic events which constitute the story. Mr George Harpur, as Sol Sloman, the Jew bookmaker, provided the greater part of the comedy, and he was successful in moving the audience to continual laughter so long as he appeared on the stage. Mr Gus Neville played the part oi Lord Mayfield with a very good comprehension of the character, and made a success of it. Mr Harry Leeds as Tommy Guy, one of Fletcher's confederates, sustained the part with ability, and was successful in an introduced comic song. Mr Scot Colville as Richard Kingdon had not a great deal to do, but he sustained the character ably, and the same remark applies to Mr George. Phillips as Ike Thurston. Quirk, the detective, was represented by Mr Charles Arcker, who displayed considerable versatility, and Miss Ethel Gibson made a very good jockey (Pusher Wells). None of the ladies' parts were heavy, Miss Muriel Nation (Daisy Fletcher) having to sustain that demanding the most from the actress, and the lady was successful in her efforts to a pleasing degree. Miss Nina Burns had not, as Edith Kingdon, much scope, but what was required was rendered artistically [and to the approbation of the audience. : Miss Bessie Hill (Kitty Plum) made a pert waiting maid, and ably filled her small part. Mr Edgar Collins was an efficient pianist, and the stage arrangements were under the direction of Mr George Harpur. Immediately prior to the race scene, Mr Albert Lucas recited " Kissing Cup's Race" in capital style, and quite brought down the house, receiving vociferous applause. To-night, Byron's great drama, "The Lancashire Lass," will be staged, and no doubt there will be a good audience, while tomorrow night the patriotic drama the patriotic drama "the British Flag " should attract a bumper house. This performance will be under 'the patronage of the Mayor and City Councilors, and officers of the Volunteer force and fifty per cent of the net proceeds will be devoted to the Nelson Patriotic Fund.