THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4858, 24 November 1883, Page 4

THEATRE ROYAL.

♦ " A Winter's Tale " was given last night for a second time at the above place of amusement, for the benefit of Mr Arthur Elliott. To see one of Bhakeepoare's plays in which not only the leading paits are well filled but all the characters throughout are represented with intelligence and cart?, and some attention is paid to historical detail and correctness of costume and general surroundings, is a treat that ooroes but seldom in a Colonial town. Every credit, therefore, is due to the management for having placed it within the reach of Ohristohuroh playgoers. Mies Pomeroy again succeeded in giving a most powerful and consistent impersonation of Hermione, showing what careful study she hag devoted to the part. She was honoured by receiving the compliment of a " call " before the curtain after the trial scene and again at the inclusion of the play, when the applause was long and loud. Mr Elliott's JLeontes was open to the same critioiem as before, though, perhaps, scarcely to such a marked degree. The alteration in his make-up and acting in the latter portioc of the play shows a praiseworthy grasp of the requirements of the situation. The rest of the principal performers did their parts thoroughly well again, and helped to make the play the agreeable whole that it was. A very good instance of this was to be found in the rustio festivities of the last aot but one, in which all oonoerncd entered so well into the spirit of the thing that the audienoe insisted upon a repetition vt the quaint oountry dance, whioh forms a feature in them. Misses Bronton and B. Lewis had to comply with a similar demand with regard to their duet, a pretty, but very modern, not to say common • place though catching, waltz melody, for whioh one of the dozens of equally pleasing old English ballads would surely have been an appropriate substitution, Bithynian music being Bomewhat difficult of access. " Oymbeline," with Miss Pomeroy in the oharaoter of Imogen, the production of whioh it was found wise to postpone last week, will be played for the first time to-night. If placed upon the stage in the same efficient manner as " A Winter's Tale," and aoted equally well, it should prove a great attraction.