THE D'ORSAY OGDEN COMPANY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 6349, 24 June 1889, Page 2

THE D'ORSAY OGDEN COMPANY.

The Now Zealand Herald of the 25th May writes as follows:—The D'Orsay Ogden Combination Company, just arrived from the Australian colonies, commenced their season at the Opera House last night, opening in the drama of " Jo " staring Baby Ogden. a very young child, in the character part, To most playgoers the flight appeared a hi*h ono and very ambitions, after the marked succeFs achieved by •Jennie Leo in the character which she had created, and the most that was expected was a fairly good imitation of that clever reproduction of Dickens' ideal. An agreeable surprise, however, rewarded the large crowded audience which thronged tiio Opera House last night, for instead of a weak imitation there was a living production of Dicken's waif, and nothing could be more faultlessly artistic, and at the same lime truly natural, thai Baby Ogden as" Jo." The child is a perfect wondor. The length of the part alone would test, the memory of the Oldest stager; aud when added to this comes the great ataount ot "business" incidental to the part.it is aloicst boyond cot:prehension how such a child could grasp the whol?. Yet Baby Odgen is no mere parrot. She appreciates tho charac.cr, and gives it force. Her pathos is touching, her natural feeling oppressive; and whether in the sc ncs in which she is hustled and bulliei by the coroner and the police, and in tho more emphatic characteristics of the part she is thoroughly at home, and her plaintivo lament for tho only friend she ever knew—"Ho was very good to me, he was "—found an echo in every heart in the audience, and mnny eyes were wet in response to the touch of the sreat master who depicted this feature of life in London. We have thus alluded to the leading feature of the production of " Bleak House" because it is tho central figure, but it by no me-ins stands alone. Miss Helen Fergus, as Lady Dedlock. played a very difficult role with remarkable success and pathos. Mrs D'Orsay Ogden, as the vindictive French woman, was full of life and energy, pourtraying the part with a keen appreciation of its tolling features. Mr D'Orsay Ogden made a fcaturo of tho role of Inspector 'Bucket, and Mr Musgrave was as mild and timid as the most ardent admirer of character could desire. Mr Tulkinghorn, as played by Mr Barry Marshall, was appreciative, and the other characters incidental to the play were well represented. The play was mounted effectively, some of the scenic effects, more especially the snow scene aud tho death of Jo being remarkably illustrative.