LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4843, 14 May 1890, Page 3

LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.

When a company dramatic, opotatio, or other, is announced to appear " under the management of Messrs Williamson, Garner and MusgroYO," tbeatro-goors know that they may rely upon seeing and hearing something really good, before anything else is hoard of tho production, of whatever sort it may be, ac tho " triumvirate " havo attained such a commanding position m the not little world of the atago m Australasia tbut they can command tho best, and to rotain their position they mustcommand it. The drama Little Lord Fnuntlwoy, which was produced m fcbo Thcalro Hoyal last night, was assured of popular favour on other grounds than the fnuio of the mnuagore, or the successor o£ tho orapany claowliore, Moat peoplo havo road the oharming story, or hoard of it, and tho opportunity of witnessing the performance of a dramatised version — dramatised by tbo clover authoress hersolf — waa one not to be niissod. It was not to bo wondered at, then,/ that tho theatre was woll tenanted last night ; ! it would have boon a source of surpriso if it had not bean. Of courso ihoso who had read "■• »trvry quite reoontly would mio« several things that could not bo inducted m a dramatisation, !"!*. tho general character of the pretty T;:''e tulo ie cicoodingly well maintained and that is equivalent \to eajiug ttiut llio etago Torsion i 8 [a charming compouni of pathos and humour. Tho eleven characters introduced represent most diverse types, which act ns splendid foils to ono another. Tho chief interest of courso centred m tho little lord, whoso part was played by Mies Graeie Hopkins, aged 11, with v quito surprising naturalness, that must havo won everyone's praise. Othor parts were al*o played with full regircl to Hamlet's directions, nnd Mr Edwards' irritable old earl was particularly good, v splendid performance. There is no need to run through the characters, but we cannot help noticing tho painful impression produced by tho servility of tho tenant m distress contrasted with tho arrogance of his aristocratic landlord. This scene must" hurt" a colonial auditor, who recognises that it ie a not very much exaggerated picturo of n world whore Jack is something very different from his master. Tonight — the last night — tho leading character will bo takou by MUs Ulivo Berkley, who plays alternate nights with Miasio Hopkins. Mifs Berkley is tho original of the character m Australasia, and it will bo interesting to compare tho two juveDile performers.