PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3121, 19 February 1873, Page 3

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Yesterday evening Mr Musgrave took a benefit. The pit and stalls were perfectly crammed, but the circle w r as not so well filled as the occasion deserved. The wellconceived, well-written, and always pleasing drama of “ Old Phil’s Birthday ” was the first piece produced. The piece has been so often played in Dunedin that it is unnecessary to recapitulate the plot. For convenience saae, however, it may be mentioned that the events of the drama lunge upon the occasion of an old servant’s birthday, Mr Clinton played the part of Mr Hardress, a merchant, with whom were associated Lionel (Mr Collier) his son, Phil Stapleton (Mr Musgrave), the old servant and Frank (Mr Douglas) his son, officiating as clerk in the merchant’s office, and with them Marian Mardreas (Mrs Walter Hill), daughter of the merchant, and Blanche Howard (Miss Gassy Matthews), a cousin of Marian. The plot, of course, is very contracted, but it presents pictures of life well-drawn and instructive, and well it would be for many if they practised the morals so pointedly put by the author. Mr Musgrave’s representation of the old truthful, honest, simple man, but jealous of the honor of others, was the most accomplished piece of acting we have witnessed for a long time, and fully bears out the statement of our contemporaries elsewhere, namely, that he is the most perfect old man representative the profession possesses in the Colonies. On this occasion he certainly surpassed any of his previous performances in this line of business. Mrs -Hill was very pleasing, looked the part, and played, as she always does, exceedingly well. In the last scene, where she pleaded the cause of the unhappy Frank Stapleton, blamed for thieving, and declared her belief in his innocence, her acting was that of an educated, thinking, feeling woman. She won the sympathies of tin audience, and showed ho*v well she is qualified to delineate those emotional qualities of the other sex so easily caricatured, but so beautiful when well pourtrayed. Mr Douglas’s representation of the frank, open-hearted, affectionate and grateful youth was impressive. In this part he exhibited all the qualities required to make a great actor, and we have little doubt but with study he may one day take a first place in his profession. Mr Collier, unfortunately, is frequently cast for a part antagonistic to the sympathies of the audience. 1 his occasion was no exception ; still he performed his part excellently well, and depicted that phase of character, happily not common to youth—namely, the evil and sorrow caused to others by not acknowledging at once the committal of a crime involving the honor and happiness of another. Miss Matthews looked pleasing, and played her part carefully and satisfactorily. At the fall of the curtain the applause was uproarious, and the curtain was again raised, when the audience became demonstrative. Subsequently Mr Musgrave was honored with a call before the house. Mr Lyster recited “ Farhassius,” by Mr N. P, Willis, an American poet; but Jais performance was more like that of a gabbling turkeycock than a professional elocutionist. Miss Marion Willis than danced a hornpipe in very good style, and was awarded an encore, Mr Collier followed with the song, “ Jessie’s Dream,” and was also awarded an encore, when he sang some laughable thing, the title of which is probably known only to himself. Mr Bracken, an amateur, not unknown as a performer, cleverly recited an Irish composition named “ Shamus O’Brien,” and was much applauded. An American farce, new in New Zealand, named “That Nose,” concluded the performance. Like the American cocktail, so much enjoyed by a certain class of gentlemen in the early morning, it is thoroughly indiscribable, but at the same time perfectly enjoyable. It caused great merriment, and sent the audience away in good humor.