THEATRE ROAYL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5518, 21 September 1892, Page 3

THEATRE ROAYL.

yijs DAMPIER DBAMATIO COMPANY. The Dsmpio.' Dramatic Company opened their season last night to s house that filled the lower pact of the theatre, and the welcomo the company received augurs well (or their brief season here. Tho fame of the present combination had preooded them, and the high opinions pasßed upon their produotions i>y f,he metropolitan press, was known to nißny. ' The company have been m existence for nearly ten years, and hava played both m Sydney and Melbourne with marked inoijsij, Mr Dampior himself is probably one of the #npsjfc and moat able actors at presont m the Australasia^ Colonies, nod the company contains tho nameo of many fbn etand very high m tboir profession. Vftth alt thu well earned reputation at tboir back, ths audienoe might naturally expect something Tory much out of the common, and last night all preiont must Jjj.vy been more than satisfied. " Crime and 1 ' jp a gQo.d pjepe of yiro»k f and

| full of powerful interest, while the sensation which is never oarried to the bounds of im probability, ia of that healthy and finished description, that makes tbe drama tbe attraction it should be. The scenery must have come bb a surprise to many— evory set was new and beautifully painted, pictures rich m colouring, ohaste and refined m style, and fantastic m finisk In tbia respect nothing was missed, and too much praise cannot be given the management for the excellence of the mounting generally. On hia appearance, Mr Dampier (who, by the way, visited Titnaru some years ago) received a bosrty reception, and well was it deserved. He had a most onerous task to perform, ' and succeeded m more firmly establishing the high name he t)BB made for himself as an experienced and conscientious manager, and a finished aolor. Hiß *■ Job Tatterag " was a etudy from life, principal m its truth to Nature, and tbe other characters so diametrically opposed to each other m style and treatment, were masterpieces of versatile ability. If special praise can be bestowed, it may be on his pourtrayal of the old Frenchman, where he completely disguised both voice and appearance. Mr Vernon it an old and welcome friend, and his performance of the viilian, " Joseph Millbank," wrs very fine, and capably worked outi Aa " Peggy" Miss K. Bussell was very good She was always bright and vivaoiouß, and her ertorts were warmly recognised by tbe audience. Mr Kolfe played " Septimus Swindledon " remarkably well, and tbe oharactor was m no way overdone, as was evidently oasy of accomplishment. Many present were glad to see Mr Rede again, and heartily nomplimonted him on a very able conception of an old London boatman. "Paul Merkbam," tho hero of the play, proved Air K. Ho.l j<r»y to be ono of the best actors who had ever visited. o«, end his acting m the third scene was a fine display of emotional power. &Tr Harford made a capital part of " Harry Seafield," and Mr J. H. Martin was entitled to praise for bis natural performance of " Oaptain Seafiold." Miss Rose Dampier, who appeared as" Amy Oastloten," proved to bo a graceful sctreps. The chief merit, of her performance^ lay m her vocalisation m the third act, where Miliard's " Waiting" was artistically snug. Misa Merton was highly meritorious as " Mrs Markham," and the minor parls were well filled. To night the company play the grout London drama tbe " Green Lapoa of England," when Miss Lily Dampier, who haß made a sterling name for herself as en intelligent and powerful actress, trill appear for the first time m Timaru, and doubtless her performance will be looked forward to with deep interest-. At the close of the second act last evening Mr Dampier came before the curtain and made a neat and brief speech. Littlo slips, ho said, had been distributed among tbe audience for thu purpose of tubing a vote as to whether tho production oil Thursday night should be " Hamlet. " or Mr Dampier'a own splendid dramatisation of "Bast Lynns." After a acrutiay of tho papers the choice wan a long way m favour of Mrs Henry Wood's old story, and with Mr Dampior's adaptation as the attraction, tho choice should prove most attractive I