HERR BANDMANN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3082, 13 May 1881, Page 3

HERR BANDMANN.

At the Theatre Royal last night a large audience assembled to witness the performance of "TheCorsican Brothers" and " David Garrick." Herr Bandmann and his company were favored with the patronage of His Worship the Mayor and the Borough Council. We cannot belp thinking that " The Corsican Brothers " was an unwise selection for a popular night. The piece depends too much upon stage effects to be successfully represented on a small stage, and with such accessories as appear to be available here. The dialogue ot the piece never rises above the mediocre, and the whole interest depends upon two or three situations. That Herr Bandraann should give a good rendering of the twin brothers was only what might have been expected. Into hie representation of Fabian and Louis de Franchi there was infused an amount of pathos that was admirable , and in the duel scene between Fabian and Chateau Renaud the strong desire for revenge on the slayer of his brother was portrayed in a powerful manner. Mr Cathcart as Chateau Renaud acted with all the care and finish for which he is remarkable. The character assumed by Miss Beaudet was a thankless one, and gave little scope for display. Miss Lucy Ashton acted with spirit and attracted considerable applause. At the conclusion of the play Herr Bandmann was called before the curtain, and after receiving several floral tributes he addressed a few woids to the audience in acknowledgment of the kindness and support he bad received in Napier, and announced that, as the steamer did not leave for the North until Sunday, the company would pive an extra performance on Saturday evening. He stated that on that occasion the company would produce "Richard the Third," and one act of " The Merchant of Venice," and that the admission to the back seats would be reduced on that occasion. The performance closed with Mr Bandmann , B version of " David Garrick," with that gentleman in the title role, and Miss Beaudet as Lydia. The version is a very short one, and by no means so attractive as the one adopted by the late Mr Southern. The acting of Herr Bandmana and Miss Beaudet was excellent throughout, and although the piece ended somewhat abruptly it was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

To-night Miss Beaudet takes a benefit, and what should be the most popular performance of the season will take place. The play of Narcisse is one in which Mr Bandmann is said to surpass, if possible, all his other performances. The plot is laid in Prance in the time of Louis XV., the time when the Pompadour was the most powerful woman in Europe. Narcisse is a strolling musician who, when young, and struggling for fame, had married ; his wife was stolen from him and became, although Narcisse knew it not, the mistress of the King, and known as the famous Pompadour. He allies himself with the enemies of the great mistress, and by an interesting device accomplishes her ruin and disgrace, and be then discovers that she is his lost wife. It is said that the play gives ample scope for the representation of conflicting emotions, in which Herr Bandmann is so excellent. The performance will conclude with "Much Ado About Nothing."