MR GRATTAN BIGGS AT THE PRINCESS THEATER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 37, 1 July 1892, Page 19

MR GRATTAN BIGGS AT THE PRINCESS THEATER.

Oa Wednesday night, the 2lst inst, Mr Grattan Biggs, the famous Irish comedian, brought to the close a short season at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin. The programme on the occasion consisted of two short plays, written by the late John Broughton, namely "Ruth's Romance" and "Temptation." The first was acted by Miss Maud Appleton and Messrs Robert B. Inman and J. P. West. Miss Appleton made a charming Bath Carey, was moat naive in her impertinence, arch in her love-making, and throughout both sprightly and graceful.' The young lady has evidently a very successful theatrical career before her, and wherever she appears must nectssarily wia at once the favour of the public. Mr Inmao, as Jack Dudley, was quite at home in an effective part, and as much may be said for Mr West, who represented Captain Wilton, a reformed rake and the proud father of a brand new baby. The play is a bright and clever little piece, and went capitally from beginning to end. The principal character in " Temptation " is that of Tim O'Brien, ao immigrant " boy " in an American city. This, as a matter of course, was taken by Mr Grattan Biggs, and, also, as a matter of course, was done ample justice to. Mr Grattan Rigga certainly has few rivals, if he has any equals, in Irish parts. His brogue is perfect. He is droll without being vulgar, and quaint without beiug grotesque. He is completely master of tbe' situation, whether it be humorous or pathetic, or, as sometimes happens, an indescribable mixture of bath. He was very well supported by Mr loman as Bobilinck (a carman), Mr Scott Inglis aa Granite (a stockbroker), Mr West as Stirling (an old servant), Mr Laurie Dunbar as Travers (a needy and ill-used young man), Miss Appleton (as the carman's wife), Miss Leonard as Mrs Grimgriskea (a woman of few words), and Miss Andrews as Travers' wife. The company is a remarkably clever ooe, and well worth seeing. Daring the interval between the plays Mr Fawcett, their energetic manager, can:e forward and announced that as, contrary to expectations, the theatre would be available next week, owing to the failure of another company to keep tbeir engagement, Mr Grattan Biggs would comment a second season this (Wednesday) evening, the 29th mat. The play will be Bouciciult's famous " Shaughraun." Placed before the public as it will be by Mr Grattan Biggs and his company, it, like those to follow it, will be seeo to me utmost advantage. No doubt houses aa crowded aa those attendant on the season just closed, will testify to a due appreciation of the placers by our citizens.