THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4904, 20 March 1894, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

"Harbour Lights." The initial performance of the Honre and Spong Dramatic Company at the Theatre Royal last evening was greeted by an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The piece chosen waa G. R. Sims's popular nautical drama, Harbour Lights, and it is safe to say at tbe outset that the performance right through waa one of the most even given here for a very long time. The manner in which the minor characters played up to the principals was a pleasing feature cf the performance, and it may be said that Messrs Howo and Spong have brought with them an excellent all-round company. Of the drama itself it is unnecessary to speak, as it has been produced here on many occasions, bub seldom tinder more favourable Burroundingß. Attraction, of course, centred in the heroine, Miss Hilda Spong, whose reception must have been gratifying to her. She was at once at home with her audience, and showed herself a thoroughly capable actress. There was a charming freshness about her brighter lines, while in the scene where her wandering sister returns, her sympathetic acting was moßt marked. Her exposition of the part where Frank Morland seeks to compromise her was a finished piece of dramatic acting, but the climax was reached when she discovers that her husband's life is in danger out in the lifeboat. Again and again waß she applauded, and several times in her scenes with Mr Howe, the performance was interrupted with perfect storms of applause. Mr Howe was quite at home in the role of the hero, David Kingaley, and received an ovation on his appearance. He gave a faithful rendering of the part of the true-hearted lieutenant, carefully avoiding the tendency to overact in the more dramatic parts, and scored a distinct success. He was especially good id the scene where he endeavours to obtain leave to stay ashore from his vessel to defend his bride, when her ruin is threatened by Nicholas Morland. Miss Fitzmaurice Gill took the part of the wronged Lena, and showed considerable ability.^ Miss Flora Austead was entrusted with the lowcomedy part of Mrs Chudleigh, and made the most of it. Miss Edith Barrow was a vivacious Peggy Chudleigh, and acted very nicely. The villain's part (Frank Morland) was entrusted to Mr Scott IngHs, and could scarcely have been in better hands. This gentleman has improved wonderfully since he was here last, and he was well backed up by Mi Greenaway, who was his accomplice (Nicholas Morland). As the bluff old Captain Nelson, Mr Cathcart looked the part and played it well ; and Mr Cecil Owen made the most of the thankless character of Mark Helstone. Mr Charles Fabart was"sufficiently nautical and hearty in the part of the Bosun, his love Bcene with Peggy (Miss Edith Barrow) being very ludicrous. The other characters were all well filled. That the piece was thoroughly appreciated by the audience waß testified by the fact that the principals were called before the curtain at the close of each act. The scenery, which is from the brush of Mr Walter B. Spong, is of great artistic merit, and camo in for a good share or praise, while the mechanical effects were extremely good. The sea piece in the first act, the interior of the old hall in the second, the quarter-deck of H.M.S. Britannic in the third, and the cliffs with the tide rising in the fourth, were perhapß the finest effects. This evening Harbour Lights will be repeated. To-morrow evening the com* pany will appear in A Grip of Iron.