THEATRE ROYAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL

The programme at tho Theatre Royal last night opened with a three act emotional drama, entitled " Eußtache tho Convict." Tbo plot of the piece is highly romantic, tolling of tho misfortunes which happen to a farmer, Eustache (Mr W. H. Loako), through his marrying tlie daughter of a Countess (Mrs Walter Hill) who, when a child, had been entrusted to his parents, without their knowing her high birth. His misfortunes are principally caused by the villainy of his wifo's cousin, Lamberte (Mr H. B. Jowett), and an accomplice, Delbois (Mr J. J. Wallace), but in the end pootical justice is done, and the injured husband ia restored to his wife and happiness, whilo tbo villains aro consigned to legal punishment. As Eustache, Mr Leake has many opportunities for displaying his urtistic excellence, and availed himßelf fully of them. His unaffected enjoyment of humble domestic happiness in the first act waß a clover foU to the carefuUy detailed wretchedness of tho subsequent acts, in which, howovor, no exaggei ation was allowed to obtrude itself. Mrs Walter Hill, as the devoted wife, the victim of deception and craft, waa equally effective Mr Wallace made a wonderfully realistic subordinate scoundrel of the humorous type, probably only to be found in novels and dramas. The cjmic business wus nut entirely confined to him, Mr J. J. Kennedy and Mr Theo. Hamilton also having a considerable sharo of mirth-provoking to do, and doing it of courso very effectually. Tho cast included tho other members of the company, who acquitted themselves with various degrpes of merit. Mr Lcako and Mra Hill and Mr J. J. Wallace wero called beforo tho curluin at the close of the second act. The laughablo farco " Slasher and Crasher" concluded tlio performance. To-niglit " Kerry Gow," an Irish dramu, ißto bo produced for the firat time in Chrißtchurch.