AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3191, 13 May 1873, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

queen’s theatre,

Boucicault’s drama “Jeanie Deans, or the Heart <>f Midlothian,” was produced for the first time -at the Queen’s Theatre last evening. The attendance was fair, hut not so good as we expected, nor as the acting deserved. MissM. E. Aitken’s impersonation of the poor half-witted gipsy girl was one of the greatest treats we have had the opportunity of enjoying, and fully deserves the high panegyrics that have been passed upon it” in the scene where Madge visits the grave of her child, she acted with so much truthfulness, and in such a pathetic manner, as fairly to carry away the audience ; and when she came before the curtain in answer to the wish of those present, she was greeted with prolonged and hearty applause, fn the dying scene, again, was witnessed a rare piece of acting, which was fully appreciated. Jeannie Deans found a fit repres ntalivein Mbs Flora Anstead, who played the part as she always does the parts allotted to her—carefully and effectively. Mr Bur-» fi rd appeared to advantage in the character of Geordie Robertson. Mr South was very good as David Deans, the father of Jeannie and Effie. The Laird o’ Dumbedikes of Mr J. P. Jlydes was worthy of that gentleman. Miss J. Baymond may be complimented on her rendering of Effie Deans. Mr Aveling, as the Luke of Argyle, played in a gentlemanly manner. Among the others we may favorably mention Mr O’Brien, as Ratcliff; Mr Thorpe, as Black Frank; and Mr Hooper, as Margery Murdockson. Credit is due to the management in the matter of mounting apd scenery; The concluding piece was a farce, “We all have our little faults,” which passed off very successfully. A similar programme is announced for this evening, when we hope to see the people of Dunedin evince their appreciation of good acting by filling the theatre.

THE EMANUEL-ANDERSON ONCERTS.

Another of this series of concerts was ofiveti last evening to a fair audience, especially in the front seats. We cannot understand why every part of the Masonic Hall is not filled on these occasions, as the music performed hy this company is selected with a view to its being appreciable by all; the proof of this bfiug shown by the applause following every item of each evening’s programme. Before the concert was commenced, Mr Winter stated that, in consequence of a slight misunderstanding between Mr Anderson and himself, it bad been deemed advisable to engage a professional acoomp'iiyist, and that they not having been able to do so up to that time, Mr Arthur J. Towsey had kindly offered his services pro tern Miss Emanuel was in perhaps better voice than ever, judging by her singing of the everwelcome “Casta Diva.” She also gave Donizetti’s “Com 4 bello,” the flor.d passages in which were executed with the mos* perfect ea>e ; a ballad, “ Oh, say once morei love thee,” which was encored, “ Since we ~)art ” being substituted j and finished her •art of the entertainment by singing fiahop’s “Should he upbraid,” exquisitly. J( Mr Anderson’s playing, both on the nanoforte and concertina, we have already said so much that it is oaly necessary to say ,hat his solos were received with undimifished enthusiasm Beethoven’s “Sonata Pathetiqae” waa given by him in the tru< pirit of the composer. Besides this he gave i fantasia oa “ Lucia di Lainmermoor,” tht >uly fault of .which was its briefness; a (anas ia on “ Faust,’’and with Mr H. Anderson’; v-sistauce a duet on the concertina and piano>rte. Mr Winter eaug “ Good-bye, Sweet-

heafct," g»wl en » Maud, 1 ' .SliiTr in style. Nearly every,apiece throughout the evening was encbred-' On Wednesday evening it is in‘ended to give’ Mifcs Emanuel and Mr Anderson a complimentary benefit; and as most of tile front seat! have been already engaged, there ought to be a full attendance. On that occasion will be given Beethoven’s sonata in E flat, op. 3, Schumann’s Bchltimmer Lied,” arranged by Patter, and two duets for pianoforte and concertina, on airs from “Nonna’’and “Lea Huguenots” respectively. Miss Emanuel’s part in the programme will comprise, in addition to several choice ballads, the whole of the mad scene from “ Lucia di Lammerrooor, 1 Bishop’s “ Should he Upbraid, ’and-“ When the Roses Bloom Again.”