The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 627, 30 June 1891, Page 2

The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

A CROWDED HOUSE. The opening performance of the DobsonKennedy Company’s season took place last night in the Theatre Royal. Its success was such that it is a safe thing to give assurance that the Company will have as favorable a season in Gisborne as they have had in all other centres in New Zealand. The house was crammed, many of those who came late being unable to obtain seats, the front portion of the house being as well patronised as the back. “ The Shaughraun ” is a piece that is brimful of mirth. Played in a sickly fashion it is not worth patronising, but played as the Dobson-Kennedy Company succeed in doing it, it is worth travelling many miles to see, as indeed it would appear from last night’s performance, would be anything the excellent Company essay to put upon the stage. With the popular Mr Kennedy as Conn, the Shaughraun could hardly fail to go off well, and all the other parts were impersonated with much credit to the performers. The large audience were soon put in splendid humor, and Conn created burst after burst of merriment that made the building ring with cheerful sound. Many of those well able to judge say they have never seen a better Conn than Mr Kennedy, whose face is always a welcome one to any audience. Sporting men fully appreciated such •' gags ” introduced as “ Me little Carbine, me son av an old Musket, me Mithroloose.” Mr Dobson, too, is already favorably known to a Gisborne audience, and his acting of Robert Ffelliott was a finished and most capable performance. As Father Dolan Mr Hy. Saville could not be eclipsed. Mr Jermyn acts the hypocritical scoundrel Corry Kinchela in a way that makes the character as unpopular as it ought to be, while Mr Paul Creyton as the repugnant character Harvey Duff, a deformed wretch, gets complimented by the disfavor of the audience. Mr Norton is a very creditable Captain Molyneaux. Miss Thornton is a pleasing Moya, and there is a freshness about her style that goes well with the brogue. Her singing of “ The Wearing of the Green ” was enthusiastically applauded. Miss Lilly Hill, as Claire Ffolliett, knows how to give a pretty love scene. The other performers all fill their parts well, and the piece was capitally staged. There is no doubt the Company have “ caught on ” properly in Gisborne, and it is expected that the attendance will be even larger each evening. Great interest is centred in the production of Little Lord Fauntleroy this evening, when Gisborne people will have the first opportunity of witnessing the acting of the clever little Miss Ruby Kennedy, who has not been surpassed in the colony in the character of Little Lord Fauntleroy. Pygmalian and Galatea and the Irish comedy O'Callaghan on his Last Legs will be put on the boards to-morrow night.