THE THEATRE.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 57, 13 February 1844, Page 2

THE THEATRE.

Mr. Buckingham’s strenuous effort to establish a play house for us. was

brought ’o a crisis last night; and : there was an attendance, which, if it ; could bv any possibility be likely to continue, would encourage his design but this place, as we have told him before, is (at present) too poor to maintain Ins liberal purpose. The outlay he has made in the construction of his little theatre is worthy of much praise, and if it should fail of its present object, it may not be without the patronage of other festive occupation, when occasion may require. We make our first remark upon the performance in the orthodox spirit of criticism. The curtain rose more than an hour after the time appointed ! Is patronage to be expected while punctuality is thus neglected ? an agreeable hour or two may be given, but if they are thus to be wasted in suspense they are un beaible. We were really much sur prised to see the performances so well sustained Buckingham and the little St. Giles’s man (we do not know his name) did wonders; and an opening address, (we had almost said a poetical one), from Mr. Thomson, which we give below, was received con amore. What can we say more—except, we advise that Mrs. Harrold’s talent should be displayed ; that Mr. and Mrs. Thompson should be both less artificial in their performance ; that common sense should not be offended by singing, till the company tan do something better, and that in the mean time the manager should provide a band suitable to the absolute necessity of the performance in the absence of any vocal talent.—All this may appear urkind, but if We find fau ! t at the beginning it is only in the spirit of kindness; the Theatre may be useful, properly conducted, (and we cannot record the proceedings of yesterday evening as inferior to the practice of any provincial theatricals in England), with punctuality, light pieces, (the farce was admirably played), and attractive music and darn ing the theatre wiff become in Auckland, as elsewhere, a preservation from less rational amusement, and in time will pay the spirited manager. It would be sinful to close this noti e without approbation of th e chaste and judicious style of decoration given to the little house ; we do not know who is the artist, or we woukl mention hi s name with praise. The Auckland debutants had so little opportunity of displaying their talents, that we can hardly express any opinion of their merits, but the audience more than once said, t( well done f