THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5583, 5 June 1896, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

"A SCRAP QF PAPER." An enthusiastic audience greeted the performance of Sardou's charming little comedy A Scrap of Paper, in the Theatre Royal last night. T.he play was represented in a way that was most creditable to all its performers, all of whom are well-known amateurs. The mounting was excellent, the conservatory scene in the last act being especially well arranged and fitted up. The plot of the comedy is exceedingly slight, turning upon the recovery by Lady Ingram of a love-letter written by her to Colonel Goring Blake before her marriage with Sir Thomas Ingram. Colonel Blake refuses to give up this letter, intending to use it as a means of forcing her to favour his marriage with her sister. Her cousin, Helen Hartley, comes to her assistance and endeavours to get possession of the compromising letter, aud when she finds- the Colonel resolute in preventing her doing so, she in her turn determines that she will not only find it, but will make him 'destroy it with his own hands. At length she succeeds in finding the letter in his room, and after a variety 'of mischances the scrap of paper is burned as she intended it should be. Meanwhile the Colonel wins her for his wife instead of the schoolgirl Trixie, who goes to make some one eke happy. The dialogue is light and sparkling, and the love affairs of Tom (Dr Penguin's ward) and Trixie, together with other complications, keep ixp the interest throughout. Mrs H. E. Marsh both dressed and acted the handsome and well-spirited Helen Hartley in a way that left little to be desired. In the scene in Colonel Blake's room, where • she pacifies the suspicious Sir Thomas Ingi'am, and shields his wife by pretending to love the colonel, Mrs Marsh showed histrionic talent far above that of an amateur, and at the close of the scene both, she and Mr Alpers had to appear before the curtain. Lady Ingrain's part, that of the thoughtless and selfish, woman but loving wife, was adequately taken by Miss Henry. Her sister, Miss Geraldine Henry, made a good deal of the thankless part allotted her as the flighty sister of Dr Penguin. Mrs L, Gibbs ■as the housekeeper and Miss I. Prosser as Trixie filled their parts with discretion, and the same may be said of Miss Brown in the character of Pauline. Mr 0. Alpers filled a rather difficult part with much skill, making the most of the much-travelled and slightly cynical character of Colonel Blake. Mr H. E. Marsh was no less successful as the naturalist who was able to combine partridge shooting and beetle-hunting with much enjoyment. Mr W. G. Brittan as Sir T. Ingram, and Mr Nicoll as Tom, filled their parts with spirit, helping to make the play a pleasing success. The orchestra, tinder the able direction of Mr H. H. Louglman, played several selections in the intervals. A Scrap of Paper will be repeated to-night, the proceeds from both performances being in aid of St Mary's Home, Addington.

Sydenham Poultry Show. — The Sydenhain Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Society's annual show, held in the Mission Hall, Sydenham, was well attended throughout ; yesterday. Numerous sales were effected at satisfactory prices. The prize money , will be paid at the Club Hotel, Sydenham, lon Monday evening, June 15. The art union will be drawn the same evening.