PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3000, 30 September 1872, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Lord Lytton’s play of “The Lady ©f Lyons,” was produced at this theatre on Saturday evening—the principal characters being sustained by Miss Colvil'e and Messrs Douglas and Hoskins. The piece is so well known that it is unnecessary to describe the plot, it being familiar to all play-goers. Miss Colville, as Pauline, acted with great care, and in the scene in which she parted with Claude, after having discovered that she had been the victim of a co spiracy instigated by Beauaeant, her impassioned acting carried the bouse completely away. ext in order comes Mr Douglas, who made his fir ; t appearance as Claude Melnotte, Judging by his acting on Saturday evening, the management have reason to ooiigratulat • themselves on having secured the services of this gentleman. He has an easy, natural, unaffected delivery ; while at the same time every word L distinctly enunciated, and he is ever mindful of keeping iu view the precept of suiting “ the action to the word.” His efforts were so much appreciated by the audience that at the termination of the first act he was called before the curtain, and received a wellmerited round of applause. We were the more pleased at the successful debut of this gentleman, as he came unannounced by a flourish of trumpets, such as “So aud so, the eminent tragedian, has arrived ! Mr Douglas wisely elected to stand on his merits, aud wc have no doubt but that he will become an established favorite in Dunedin. As Colonel Daraas, Mr Hoskins had a part that was not congenial to him, but all things considered, acted very well. Miss Anstcad’s Widow Melnotte was a convincing proof, if any were of the versatility of this lady, whose representation of Claude’s mother was exceedingly <mod. With regard to the minor characters, Mr Hesford, as M. Dcschappellcs, neither looked, dressed, nor acted the part ; and it is to be regretted that with an actor hke Mr Musgrave iu the company, he was cast for it. Mr Thorpe, as Boauseant, acted with more care than usual; and Mr Hydes made a moat amuaiiK' Ciavis. The entertainment concluded °uth the sketch of “A Fast Train,” in which Mr Hoskins, as Jack Delaware, fairly convulsed the audience with \ankec drolleries. In this character he was entirely in his element, and presented a striking contrast to the one sustained by hica iu the first piece. A very good programme is put forward for this evening— “ The Jealous Wife,” and “ The -Serious Family”—and ought to be rewarded bv a crowded house.