Theatre Royal.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5272, 31 May 1895, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

CAST ADRIFT.

Before the performance of the MostynDalzeil Company at the Theatre Eoyal,last night, Mies Dora Moetyn announced that the accident which had happened on the previous evening to Mies Nellie Baynhum had proved so much more serious than had been expected that that lady was unable to leave her bed, and that, consequently, a rearrangement of several of the parta in Cast Adrift had had to be made. It had not been until noon yesterday, Misß Mostyn said, that the doctor had given the decision which made this necessary, and therefore those members of the company who had changed their parts had only had the afternoon for preparation. For this reason she begged the audience to pardon any shortcomings. The apology need hardly haVe been made. The play, one not unfamiliar to Christchurch audiences, is a very good specimen of its kind — the Adelphi drama— and it was produced, under circumstances of difficulty and discouragement, in a manner which did the company very great credit. Miss Mostyn's vivacious and realistic portrayal of the City Arab, Niles, was one of the best impersonations she has given here. She eang two songs with much spirit, expression and sweetness, and was encored for one of them, the serio-comic song, " Moonbeams." Miss Virginia Clayton, who at very short notice assumed the character of Grace Lisle, gave a ladylike and affecting, perhaps somewhat too affeoting, representation of the much persecuted heroine. Miss. Ethel , Harborough's rendering of the part of Misß Langdon would have been better bad she been. a good deal less precise. Mr I Johnson Weir, forsaking the path of villainy which he has persistently and successfully trodden— on the stage— essayed the ways of virtue as the representative of the hero, Frank Overton. At times he was good, but at others somewhat overimpiesaive. Mr Orlando Daly's representation of the principal villain, Philip Randall, was on the whole successful, but sometimes seemed wanting in decision and vigour. The Popjoy Spifkins of Mr Dalzeil was a clever and amusing performance, the more creditable as the artist had taken the r6le only in the afternoon. For the same reason Mr Meymott deserves great praise for hia capital mirth-provoking, yet not overstrained, rendering of the part of the Irishwoman Norab. M'Carthy. Mr Lewis Lawrence was good as Farmer Lisle, and the other parts were capably taken. The applause of the audience was hearty and frequent.

This evening the comedy-drama Proof will ba presented. It is paid to be totally differentf romany piece that has been played by the company. In the sensational scene the hero is tied to a log by the villain in an~ old sawmill; the machinery is set in motion, and the saw cleaves the log in two, but the hero ib rescued when it is within half an inch of his head. Miss Dora Mostyn will take the part of Dora Gloster, the heroine of the play. The Colleen Bavin was to have been played, but owing to Mies Baynham's unfortunate accident, tha management have substituted Proof.