AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3203, 27 May 1873, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

queen’s theatre.

The attendance at the Queen’s Theatre last night was extremely good, both the upper and lower parts of the bouse being well filled. At the rise of the curtain the National Anthem was sung by Misses Stephenson and Raymond, assisted by Mr South, the audience rising to their feet. At the clore of the anthem, a fine tableau was given, in which Britannia, supported by her army, navy, and Co'onial dependencies, was introduced. The two-act drama from J. Fenimore Cooper’s novel—“ The Wept of the Wish-ton-Wish ’’—was produced for the first time in Dunedin, with “Aladdin; or the Wonderful Scamp,” as an after-piece, In the former. Miss Stephenson sustained the difficult part of Naramattah with that natural ability which forms the strong point of that character, and which is certainly entitled to be regarded as the distinguishing feature of her acting. Mr Burford, as Conanchet, did his part well, as also Mr J. Thorp, as Uncas, both characters being well and forcibly portrayed. Skunk, the relieving character of the piece, seemed rather defective in his part, a short-coming which we have no doubt will bo remedied without delay. Both pieces are to be repeated to-night.

PRINCESS TUEATRE. Last evening the Princess Theatre was opened for the first time since the alterations. Notwithstanding the utmost exertion had been made to complete the arrangements and the decorations, it was not quite finished, but still presented a very neat and elegant appearance. All the seats in the dress circle have been covered afresh; crimson drapery, with gold edging and tassels, hangs tastefully in arched festoons from the ceiling ; the proscenium is decorated with the royal arms, and the pilasters are most artistically painted, so as to represent a light drapery on a purple ground. The raising of the doqie and of tjie arch of the proscenium has given both the stace and the theatre a light and cheerful aspect, and though the arrangements for ventilation were not quite completed, the theatre was in no part uncomfortably hot. In the pit, even where the ceiling was lowest, the air was sweet and pure. So far as ventilation is concerned, a more complete test of the soundness of the principle could not have been afforded. The air outside was sultry; the house was crowded to excess ; every inch of space whence the stage could be seen was occupied, and even hundreds were refused admission ; yet there were no fans and very fow handkerchiefs in requisition. Like the people of Dunedin, whenever a kindly object is in view, Mrs Roberts rereived a substantial benefit last evening. The Colored Opera Troupe had provided an excellent entertain meat,' and departed much from the usual routine of “Negro Melodists.” The first part would have been strictly according to routine but for the introduction of a chorus from “Ernani.” Theovertureby the baud was well played, and the solos “Blue eyed Nelly” and “We meet again,” were sweetly sung by Mr Rawlinson and Mr Allan. The Saxhorn selection, with which the second part opened, was very well played, but was perhaps excelled by the closing instrumental selections from “ Norma.” In the course of the second part, “Here me, Norma,” arranged as a duet for two fiutes, was very sweetly played by Messrs Clinton and Prat ten. Mr Rawlinson’g “ Queetdg Letter '■ secured an encore, and the song substituted \yas even more favorably received. '' he evpning ? a entertainment was brought to a oloso by an adaptation to Dunedin social circumstances of “ Bombastes Furioao,” in which Messrs Allan, Norton, Clinton, Weston, and Randall took part We do not know by whom the parody has been written, but it does him great credit. The dialogue is lively and witty, and the local allusions provoked frequent peals of laughter and hursts of applause. We, however, feel that we should dp injustice to the troupe if, through false delicacy, wo should omit to direct their attention to one or two points which amateurs are , liable tp overlook Occasionally, \yhile speaking, they were top far back on the stage $ and the voice rose §6 high before reaching the proscenium that it was not thrown forward by it—in fact, instead of aiding its diffusion, it became a hindrance to it This can be avoided by coming well forward to the footlights. In other cases the precaution taken by all trained actors of turning their faces to the audience, was not observed. No doubt the fact of speaking to some one at the rear of the stage seemed to justify turning the back to the audience ; but it is intended they should hear, and therefore they must put up with and excuse the fiction of having the face turned from the person addressed, and the actor must cover it by one of the stratagems of p sition of both parties that forms one of the secrets of good stage arrangements. We trust the troupe will not accept th ss remarks as a censure, but as a suggestion which will tend to render their really pleasant acting more effective. Perhaps, too, a little shortening of one or two scenes, such as the combat between Bombastes and Count Fustus, would add to its piquancy. It was, however, very funny, though rather long. His Worship the Mayor and most cf the members of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, in uniform, were present. We trust the house will be well fi led this evening, when the entertainment will be repeated.