THEATRE ROYAL.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2081, 28 June 1875, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Tns Theatre Boyal was re-opened on Saturday night by Mr Do Lias's dramatic company, assisted by Mr G. W. Collier aud Miss May Howard, and there was a large audienco, tlio pit being crowded, and the gallery fairly filled. The front seats, as usual on Saturday night, were rather poorly patronised. The American sensation drama of tho "Wandering Heir" had been announced as the opening piece, bat was withdrawn, and tho "Geneva Cross" was substituted. 'Jhe drama is comparatively new. It has never boforobeen played at the Thames. It is sensational and effective, tho language being smooth and regular, and tho situalions and groupings admirably arranged, The drama is an incident of tho lateFranco • Prussian war, and the scene throughout is laid in Paris. Tho plot extends from the outbreak of tho war up to tho entry of tho Prussians into Paris, and aa may easily bo imagined, tho author had amplo material for tho construction of his play. Wo have not spaco for a synopsis of tho drama, and can only briefly refer to tho performance.' The east was an excellent oue, and the character of Gubrielle, in which i'Ji«s May Howard made her debut on this occasion, was one which, without calling for any extraordinary effort, served to exhibit her dramatic powers iu nn agreeable light. Ou her previous nppcaranco at tho Thames, Mis 3 Howard was at a disadvantage. She had no company to support her adequately. On this occasion sho has a good company, and her pcrformanco |

of tho part of tho heroine in tho drama was not only excellent in itself, but it proved her possession of thoso artistic powers with which she has been credited in other places. We feel quite certain that Miss May Howard will, before the .termination of. the pre'sent season, establish herself as a favourite at the Thames. Mr Collier's performance in tho leading part was, we should think, a correct realisation of the author's ideal. It was, at all events, an effective rendering of a difficult and laborious part, which did him great credit, and justly entitled him to the applause which he received. The other members of the company acted their roles with their accustomed excellence, and the audience by repeated applause testified their appreciation. To-night the" Wandering Heir" will be placed. Tho action of this piece is extensive, including Ireland, England, and America, and tho cause why it was held over until to-night is that a large amount of scenery boing required for its production, the artist was unable to complete the sets in time for Saturday night's entertainment.