PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2384, 22 November 1870, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

The “Home Wreck” was repeated J'st evcnint' to a full house From the cordial mauner of its reception we may judge the piece to bo a tV’-cided hit. But whilst admitting that the drama possesses some inherent merit, though certainly not merit of a high order, we do not hesitate to say that its success is to be chiefly ascribed to the elaborate mounting of the piece and the careful and sometimes polished acting of the artists engaged. Not a line of the text can be said to he humorous, though fortunately this defect in the author is supjflied by the make up and the “ business ” of the delineators of the parts of Tony Trotter and Jacob Wasper. Here we got a solitary gleam of sunlight shed upon a piece the principal characters and features of which are decidedly sombre and uninviting. But though there is a marked deficiency of the comic element the drama abounds in situations of great interest ; and while it is not easy to laugh there would be no difficulty in crying over the delineation of some of the graver incidents of the piece. The plot may be thus sketched. Mary Tressider [Miss Carry George) and her husband Richard Tressider (Mr B. W. Lawrence are receiving an ovation from their simple neighbours to commemorate the first anniversary of their wedding day. Whilst the process of congratulation is going on Mr Peter Peudoggett (Mr J. Musgrave) a lawyer, who would appear to have been a rejected lover of Mary Tressider’a loving, as is common enough, “ not wiae'y but too well ” for his own happiness—puts in his appearance, and, thinking to enjoy a triumph, demands the instant repayment of a sum of money lent on security of a note of hand to Richard Tressider, and, much to his chagrin, the money is at once handed over. Looking however at the notes, they are discovered to have been issued by a bank which has just failed, and are therefore refused by the old Lawyer. But just as he is about to quaff to the full from the cup of revenge by commencing legal proceedings, Walter Ellington (MrW. H. Metcalfe), who bad also been among the many admirers of Mary Tressider, generously liquidates the claim of the pettifogging Lawyer, and seta the husband, Richard Tressider, again free. The loss, however, sustained by the hank failure, has rendered action necessary on the part of the husband, and he accordingly takes advantage of the offer of an old friend, Capt. Headway (Mr G. W. Collier), and accompanies him to one of the South >ea Islands. A long and dreary interval ensues—not in the action of the piece, but in the order of time—and news of the foundering of the J ship having been received, and year after year passing away without any tidings being brought of Bichard Tressider, the inference is that ho is dead. Mary Tressider, however, is unwilling to believe him dead. Penelope still looks forward to the return of her Ulysses ; though deferred hope at length makes the heart sick, and Mary Tressider marries again—this time Walter Ellington. Happiness again reigns in the domestic sphere, and all is apparent sunshine for a time. At last a storm—a dreadful storm is raging, and a ship in great distress is seen battling with the waves and in imminent danger of striking on the rocks. There is naturally great consternation in the neighborhood. Ail rush to the s;ene of action though few possess hardihood enough to volunteer assistance to the threatened

■wreck. Walter Ellington, however, is not proof against the cries of distress, and rushes madly to the rescue. Whilst he is thus stimulating by his personal example the courage of his fellow-men, a little scene of a painful —though not so intensely painful—nature hj being enacted in the household of Mary L’re-isider. Richard Tivssider has returned, and his appearance, altered from the once gay and sprightly by a long and weary sick ness on that desolate island ou which be hac been cast, to a premature ago, sufficiently attests how terrible lias been the battle ol life be has encountered abroad. He make; himself known to Martha Jellicoe (Mrf Edouin Bryer), who informs him of th< altered state - <>f things at home, and advise: him not to discover himself too suddenly t< his wife. By this time it is seen that Waite Ellington has overtaxed his strength, am though battling bravely with the waves i threatened to bo overwhelmed. Richan Tressirlcr, forgetting his own grief rushes manfully to his rescue, an< succeeds in saving him from a water grave. He reaches the shore himself but exhausted and death-stricken, andbefor he dies draws tears from grateful hearts b; his noble self-sacrifice, and unites his wif_ hands with those of Walter Ellington. Mis Carry George powerfully delineated th character of Mary' ITessider, and won b her splendid acting the repeated plaudits < the house. Mr Lawrence was also equal! successful as Richard Tressider, and, wit Mr Collier, who personated Captain Heat: way, was favored with calls before the cut tain. The part of Tony Trotter, the pos' man, was skilfully delineated by Mr Waite Hill, who is certainly a valuable acquisitio to the company. Mr Musgrave played M Peter Pendoggett with his vsual ability an success; whilst his clerk, Jacob Waspe: was admirably represented by Mr Willr Mr Metcalfe was also eminently successful i his pourtrayal of Walter Ellington ; an Martha Jellicoe and Jenny Truscott wei efficiently personated by Mrs Edouin Bry< and Miss Lizzie Bushe. The subordinal part?, too, were creditably played. Indee( the whole piece was well sustained; tl mechanical arrangements and scenic effec were undeniably good, and the appointmen throughout were in perf ct harmony. literary production, “Home Wreck” ca never rank high; hut, judging from tl manner of its reception last evening, wc ms fairly pronounce it a great success ; an whilst it certainly reflects credit upon tl management, which has spared no expense 1 makeit attractive, we should like to see secure a good ru" and draw crowded house; It will be repeated 10-night. The names Miss v. Bowling and Mr Steele are ai nounced as additions to the corps.