THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7237, 25 October 1901, Page 1

THEATRE ROYAL.

» , "A FOOL'S PARADISE." Amateurs are hardly to be judged' by the same standards as professionals in matters theatrical, but even were the superlative test- applied! to those who performed " A | Fool's Paradise " -at the Theatre Royal last I might, they would undoubtedly win a meed of unqualified praise. Sydney Giitndy's charming play — it is more than a cornedy — was excellently produced, and the performance generally would! have done credit to a professional organisation. As is generally the case in amateur performances the staging and •dressing were particularly good;. The honours of 'the piece rest with. Mr 6. T. J. Alpers, whose Bk Peter Lund was a really admirable character sketch, ctni•stfstently played amd excellently conceived. Mr Winter Hall is that rara. avis a go&d amateur lead, and! Ms* Lord! Normantower was quite irreproachable. Mrs H. E. Marsh was a trifle mechanical as Beatrice i}-ehrjnt,amd hu-rdly jra/tintying jiv tfae more emotional interlude?, hub th^e part was proi bably the most difficult in tine, oast, to satrs- ! faotorily sustain, and she acquitted herself I consequently very oreditably. Miss Maud j Graham's Kade Derwiercfc iras a lititlo studied, but she conveyed the spirit of tlto character with commendable emphasis. Mr March's Philip Selwyn was thoroughly satisfactory, avid Miss May Mwih ais Mildred Selwyn, aaul Mr L. F. Tribe, as tlie Horn Tom Verinder were excellent. The play it; cne particularly well isu'ited to amateur prcduction. There will bs a yecon'd! performance to-night.