CURTAIN.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 334, 2 May 1885, Page 11

CURTAIN.

OPEEA HOUSE

The De Grey season has been so far a most successful one at the Opera House, and the old English comedies more especially have met "with the appreciation of Aucklanders, who, as theatre-goers, are as critical as any in the Colony, probably. On Thursday evening "The Busybody," with Miss De Grey as Miranda, and on Friday " East Lynne," the well-worn but always popular, were put on, and on Saturday Miss De Grey delighted a big house with her exquisite acting as Peggy in the " Country Girl." " London Assurance," one of Boucicault's earliest and most successful productions, was thfi attraction on Tuesday. Miss De Grey's Lady Gay Spanker was played with charming vivacity and archness, and was without doubt one of the best impersonations of the character we have had in Auckland. Her acting throughout was natural and pleasing, and a better Lady Gay could not have been desired. The famous description of the steeplechase was given in a manner that completely carried the audience away, and made it for themomentparticipate in the enthusiasm of the fair speaker. Miss Florence Co well made au effective Grace Harkaway, and in her scenes with the devoted Charles Courtly was extremely amusing. Sir Harcourt Courtly could hardly have been entrusted to better hands than those of Mr Hilton, whose portrait of the antiquated lady-killer was one of the best we have seen. Mr J. A. Patterson made a sufficiently imbecile " Dolly," and must be congratulated on his clever simulation of intoxication. Mr Morton Selten was excellent as Dazzle, and brought out all the well-known points of that unscrupulous but interesting person's character. Mr Matthew Brodie was a very good Charles Courtley, and Mr Kinghorne extremely funny as Mark Meddle, the pettifogging attorney ever on the alert for damages. This part is one that may be very easily exaggerated ; frequently it is made a mere burlesque of. Mr Kinghorne, carefully avoiding over-colouring, made it a low comedy part, thereby clearly carrying into effect the intention of the author. Mr West's Max Harkaway was also exceptionally good, both in acting and make-up. The stay of the company in Auckland is now very limited, but before their departure several novelties are to be produced. Miss De Grey's "Rosalind" will assuredly be worth seeing.