THE THEATRES.

Evening Star, Issue 3245, 15 July 1873, Page 2

THE THEATRES.

THE QUEEN’S There was again a very large attendance at this theatre last evening, when the historical drama of “ Narcisse’' was presented for the first time in Dunedin. The piece itself is of a very gloomy nature; but the magnificent acting of Mr Steele, who sustained the part of Narcisse, more than made up for the depressing influence it exercised upon the feelings of the audience. Mr Steele’s reception must have been peculiarly gratifying to that gentleman ; in fact, from his first appearance until the close of the drama, his efforts were greeted with cordial manifestations of applause. As the plot of “Narcisse ” may not be generally known to playgoers, we propose to give a brief outline of it. The scene of the drama is laid in Paris, and at the rising of the curtain France is divided into two factions one of which espouses the cause of the Marquise tie Pompadour, the favorite of the reigning Monarch, and the other that of the Queen. The principal leaders of the rival parties are the Duke de Choiseul (Mr Hoskins), who is deeply enamored of the Marquise, and Doris Quinault, a popular actress, who is devotedly attached to the Queen, A report having been circulated that the Marquise de Pompadour fainted in her carriage as she was driving along the Boulevards, on recognising Narcisse, the consjurators on both sides rightly guessed that there must be something strange in Narcisse’s appearance to cause the Marquis# to betry such emotion, so they resolved to secure him. However, Doris, in the Queen’s interest, managed to bear him off triumphantly to her house, and while there he related his history to her—how he, a poor musician, had married a beautiful girl, whom he believed, returned his love, when she suddenly disappeared, and that he had for years been searching lor her, and firmly believed they would meet again. In an interview between the Marquise de Pompadour and the Duke de Choiseul, the former lays bare her past life to the Duke, and informs him of >her marriage with and abandonment of Narcisse ; he finds out he has no hope of ever obtaining the love of the Marquise, and that she still reveres the memory of her husband. His love is turned into hate, and with the assistance of Doris, Narcisse is induced to take part in a theatrical performance which is given at the Pompadour’s house. The plot is cunningly devised, and when Narcisse’s features are disclosed to view, the Marquise immediately recognises him, and they fly into each other’s arms. But in depicting the disgust and loathing with which Narcisse repels the Marquise’s advances when he discovers she is the hated Pompadour, Mr Steele achieved his crowning triumph. The drama closes with the death of the Marquise; and we must acknowledge that, notwithstanding the sombre character of the piece, we hare seldom sat out a performance with greater gratification. Miss Anstead’s Marquise de Pompadour was a highly finished performance ; while it is utterly impossible that Miss Colville’s impersonation of Doris could be excelled. We congratulate Miss Raymond on having, to a great extent, succeeded in getting rid of that artificial mode of enunciation which was becoming a confirmed habit with this otherwise pleas ing actress; the small part of the Marquise d’Epinay was well played by her last evening. Mr Hoskins, as the Duke de Choiseul, enacted the part with great ability; and Mr Booth’s Count de Barri is worthy of especial mention. Messrs Hydes and Aveling were good in their respective parts. At the termination of the first two acts, Miss Colville and Mr Steele were called before the curtain, and at the conclusion of the drama Misses Colville and Anstead, together with Mr Steele, were honored ■ with an unanimous call. The amusing farce of “ Founded on Facts ” followed, in which Miss Anstead and Mr Hoskins contributed immensely to the amusement of the audience. To-night, “ Court and Stage ” will be played.

THE PRINCESS’S. Last evening, at the Princess’s Theatre, a new piece was produced that, from its merits, ought to have a good run. It is an adaptation by Mr Maogowan of Wilkie Collins’s novel “ Man and Wife. ” Not having had the advantage of reading the story, we are unable to say how far it is successfully dramatised, nor <lo wo know th&t it is of inijich moment if the plot and incidents of a drama haqg well together. A dramatised novel necessarily concentrates the leading events jntp a series qf pictures of life, separated from each other in continuity by considerable intervals of time, and the difficulty the playwright has to overcome is to open out the thread of the story, so that from the little that is seen, the rest may be inferred. As there is a continued thread of the history of the lives of the leading characters throughout the play, we conclude Mr Macgowan has succeeded well in his efforts. The title scarcely suggests the plot, which is founded upon, and most probably is intended to shew up the uncertainties and liability to abuse of the Scotch law of marriage, and the difficulties in which the best of people may be involved through it. Geoffrey Delamayn, a scapegrace son of a nobleman, represented by Mr Collier, engages to marry Anne Silvester (Mrs W, Hill), and appoints a meeting with her for that purpose at Crag Fcmie Inn, kept by a very conscientious hostess, who has very serious scruples avamst admitting any lady into her house M’ho appears without a husband. Being admitted, however, she is visited by Arnold Brinkwortb (Mr Douglas), a friend of Geoffrey, and who has engaged to deliver a letter to her, excusing his not keeping his appointment, but faithfully promising to marry her. The only way in which Mr Brinkwortb can obtain an interview with her is to represent that she is his wife, and by a series of amusing incidents, in which Mr Macgowan figures as Maisterßishoprigg’s, the lady finds herself compelled to admit that Brinkwortb is her husband, in the presence of three witnesses, the landlady and two writers. This is enough; they, by the Scotch law, are man and wife. But neither Brinkwortb nor Anne desire this; for he is engaged to her dearest friend, Blanche Lundie (Miss Marion Willis), whom he shortly marries. Desirous of reclaiming the drunken and degraded Geoffrey, his brother Julius (Mr_ Lyster) is directed by their father to offer him a liberal income on condition of his marrying Mrs Glenarm (Miss Bushe), a rich widow. Sordid and selfish, demoralised by drink, and degraded byindulgence in vice, he is willing to do this, but feels himself bound to Anne Silvester by the written promise. He learns, however, the incidents at the inn, and that she has lost his letter, and concludes that, as by the Scotch law she is Brinkworth’s wife, he is released fromhis engagement. Then follows another series of complications. Blanche, uncertain whether Brinkwortb is her husband or not, refuses to live with him any longer until the point is settled; an inquiry follows, in which Sir Patrick Lundie, a Scotch advocate (Mr Musgrave), takes a leading part, and during which, Anno, though conscious of the misery that must ensue, having recovered the letter, claims Geoffrey as her husband. Here the affair might have ended, but the story is carried to its bitter end. Looking upon Anne m his

evil genias, aS through her he lost ft wife, a fortune, and a race, he plot* her murder; and to effect this he contrive* to obtain power ever one Hester Deathridge (Mrs Macgowan) by means of a confession or murder of her husband, taken from her hand while she slept. In expiation of this she has doomed herself to dumbness, which, however, in a scenoe of thrilling interest she is compelled to abandon when the murder is contrived. But Anne has guardian angels over her. The conscious-stricken woman is haunted by warning visions, and Anne, who has been kept prisoner by her brutal husband, has friends who have determined on her deliverance. Unknowingly she partakes of a drugged drink, and is compelled to lie down on her couch, where she falls into a deathlike sleep, during which Geoffiy urges Hester to suffocate her ; but at that moment the warning vision appears, and, driven to desperation, she seizes him by the throat, clings to him with the strength and ferocity of madness, and does not relinquish her _ grasp until he falls, a corpse. It is plain from this sketch that the piece abounds in most exciting situations, advantage of which has been taken to produce a series of tableaux vivants, to heighten the charm of which most beautiful scenery has been added by Mr Willis. To say that each performer played the allotted part well, would be faint praise. Mr Collier’s Geoffrey was a fine portraiture_if anything, rather too close to the ring for a scion of a noble house ; Mr Douglas and Mr Musgrave were true to life ; Mr Macgowan was equally humorous as Master Bishopriggs and Captain Newenden: Mrs Hill, always equal to her parts, played with great ease *nd feeling; Miss Marion Willis represented Blanche charmingly ; and the difficult part of Hester Deathridge was most admirably sustained by Mrs Macgowan. The merits of the piece, combined with the splendid scenery and effects, and the excellent acting, should attract large audiences. The leading artists were frequently and enthusiastically _ called before the curtain in the course of the piece.