Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3114, 10 February 1879, Page 3

Theatre Royal.

There was a good house at the above place of amusement on Saturday evening on the occasion of the first appearance of Mr J. P. Hydes' Gem Burlesque and and Comedy Company. The sparkling little comedy " Checkmate" was first performed, and though it has b;en played before here, it did not suffer by comparison with any previous representation. Mr Hydes as Sara Winkle was the life of tha piece, and kept the risible faculties of the audience continually on the gui vive. The vivacity and vigour of Mr Hydes'acting is. really surprising, and the part he played on Saturday night was well suited to show his high capabilities as a low comedian. Miss Lizzie Morgan, who was exceedingly well received, successfully performed the part of Charlotte Eusse, and Mr Mack Alexander, in the role" of Sir Everton Toffee, favourably impressed the audience. The Martha of Miss Alice Johna was really good, the

dilineation of the illiterate servant girl - temporarily promoted to a higher station being very realistic. The whole play was bubbling with humor, and highly delighted the audience. After the interval the «urlain rose on the burlesque extravaganza entitled " 111 Treated II Trovatore." which in its way was quite as successfully performed as the comedy. Mr Johnny Hydes is immense in burlesque, and in the part of Azucena, the Gipsy Queen, was very amusing. The part bristles with puns and humorous Bllusions, and every point was effectively made. The old Thames favorite, Miss Jennie Nye, danced and sang and pleased the audience, as she always does. The terpsichorean performances of Misses Alice and Amy Johns were among the chief features of the burlesques. These two ladies both dance well, and their tinging is above mediocrity, Miss Alice Johns in the song *' Hildebrand

Montrose" being especially good. A song with allusions to the principal towns in the colony by tl»e same young lady in conjunction with Mr Hydes was very amusing. The Misses Johns also sang a number of other songs in which they received well merited applause. Miss Lizzie Morgan sang the ballad, " Birdie don't you tell," and other ballads in her usual pleasing manner. Mr '. lexander sang " The Village Blacksmith," in which his splendid bass voice was heard to great advantage, while Mr Wilkinson in a song " Out in the. green fields " made hit. One noticeable feature of the performance was that all dressed their parts well, the habiliments of the ladies being gorgeonß. We must not neglect to give a meed of well deserved praise to the orchestra, which was under the able direction of Mr Waiter Hydes, who is attaining some celebrity in his profession.

TO-NIGHT. To night there will be an entire change of programme. " The Loan of a Lover," a pretty little musical burlftta, and the extravaganza "La Sonnambula," will be performed. We have no doubt that there will be a bumper house on the occasion, 88 the company are certainly deserving of Bupport.