THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5859, 29 April 1897, Page 4

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Pollard Company closed a most successful season at the Theatre Eoyal last evening, when a benefit was tendered to Mr Grattan Eiggs, who has acted as Messrs Williamson and Musgrove's representative ■with Mr Pollard for the past two or three years, but who is now severing 1 his connection with the firm to return to' the boards. There was a bumper house, and the performance opened with the third act/ of Paul Jones, in which great amusement was caused by the antics of Bouillabaise and " the Insect." Upon Mr Grattan Eiggs making his appearance in the character of Handy Andy, in the farcical comedy of that name, he was accorded a perfect ovation, and it was some minutes before the play was allowed to proceed. Mr Rieers's delineation of the character of the tlttu lering Irish gossoon showed thiit he had lost none of the animation with which he was wont to amuse his audience when he was previously in the profession, and his brogue and actions kept the audience in roars of laughter. The other characters were well filled by the company. Just before the fall of the curtain Mr Eiggs thanked the audience for their patronage, and then called Mr Pollard, who, in returning his thanks for the liberal patronage bestowed upon him, said he hoped again to visit New Zealand after his Australian tour. In bidding farewell to Mr Riggs, he expressed his gratitude for the many little acts of kindness he and the company had received from him, more especially in the matter of training the boys for their profession.