THE POMEROY COMPANY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2930, 13 February 1884, Page 3

THE POMEROY COMPANY.

The society drama "Led Astray," constituted the attraction at the Theatre last night The audience were numerous and appreciative, and the piece presumed full of interest and extraordinary merit. " Led Astray " is an adaption from the Fronob by Dion Boucicault, and is m six act*. Its Btory is as follows — The Counters Chandoce, a young and beautiful woman, is united to a man considerably her senior. Their tastes are completely At variance. She lives for nothing but her books and flowers, while bis time ie completely taken up with field snorts. Such being the case, it is not to be wondered, that we find thorn, wbon the curtain rises, considerably estranged ; h.) is flirting m the most outrageous manner with every woman he meets, while she is playing tho part of a recluse, living m dreamlund, - and wasting her time m consuming poetry of a very thirdrate order. One book m particular strikes her romtmtio fancy, " Led Astray," a lyric composition. She fancies she detects m its author a kindred sonl, Mr George De Lesparre, for such is the title of this creator of verse, tnrns up m the shape of a tall, dark, handsome {esthetic being, and between the yo-iug Countess nnd him a fervent but platonio friendship ensues. In an unguarded moment, pained by what he considers tbe neglect of her husband, he endearors to persuadcj her to elope j whilo urging hin suit with passionate energy, ho is interrupted by the Count. A challenge and » duel are the consequonoe, m which latter the Count is slightly Wiunded. The Count and his wife become separated, and the suffering which both undergo has a good effect, inasmuch aa it serves t> make them reflect and to bring out the mora sterling qualities of both. Things are m the end happily adjusted, and the curtiin falls on a moft oharming picture. Thd serious element of the play is relieved by an underplot of the most delightful oomidy, m wbich a young gontleman of plain features, but great mental boaoty, and a young lady, a step-daughter of the Countess, appear m some sprightly and engaging scenes. Buoh is a brief summary of the plot, of the drama which the J.'omeroy Company so admirably illustrated last) night. Miss Louise Pomeroy as tho young Countess Chandoce (the heroine of the pi.on) presented us with another of those beautiful and fail hful life portraits she seems to have the power to create at will. As on the previous evening, ahe was compellod to nißpond to numerons calls before the curtain, and wns the recipient of enthueiistio applruse and considerable Boral recognition. A great charm about the acting of this artiste is that she invests each i6le she sustains with a separate individuality, at all times completely sinking her own. Miss Pomerny is a theme we could illumino columns with, and it \s with a feeling of regret that we find ourselves obliged to curtail our remarks concerning her. To all our readers we would Bay do not miss the opportunity of seeing thi« talented lady. Let no business or pecuniary low prevent you from witnessing one of thegri-aiest artistes of the day m the mott delightful of dramaticcompositions. Miss Florence Lewis oharmingly rendered Mathilda, and Miss Lily May as Miss O'Hara, was, as «he is m everything she attempts, good. Miss Brontnn's performance of the Count's mother showed :i just appreciation < f the an 1 h or, while Miss Blanche Lewis invested tbe Countess wil.h color and comedy, though liardly, perhapu, sufficient age. To j Mr Arthur Elliot was entrusted " The Count [ Rudolph Cbandoce," and when we fay it could not have been plaoed m better hands, we I speak but justly. Aristcoratio m bearing, g»y at one time, item and uncompromising at another, according to Uie demands of the situation, it was itidoed a thoroughly consistent piece of acting, the more meritorious perhaps because of the entire abieoce of stage trick. As Hector Placicle, Mr Applrton still further ingratiated himself with lii< audience. Ho completely brought out tho comedy of his part and at tho paoie time was careful not to forget for an instant that he was a gentleman. The worst a»d most difficult part m Uie piece was allotted Mr Hall, but no matter how bad the part, that falls to bis fbarc, Mr Hall is always good, and last night he was admirable. Mr Kennedy dashed through the part of the Irish adventurer O'ilara as only a oome^isn of the foremost rank could do, and MrFoley was diverting as Mount Qosling. ' To-night we are promtted " Tbe Twelfth Sight," and when it is borne m mind that Mils Pomeroy will play Viola, it is a matter of (sertaioty that we have a rare treat m s'oro for us.