PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3840, 15 June 1875, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

The Red Pocket-book” was produced at the Princess’s last evening to a capital downstairs attendance, and the representation of this drama was decidedly the most satisfactory one that has been given in Dunedin for tome time. _ The piece contains many good dramatic situations, and the plot may be briefly described thus :—A nobleman (Maurice) having become reduced in circumstances, disguises himself as an artist to enable him to borrow a large sum of money from one a wealthy banker, and as security gives his mother’s jewels. Immediately after, one Folbert burglariously enters the house for the puri ose of stealing a pocket book which contains a note he has forged, and, being detected by the banker, he stabs bim and steals the bookaud jewels, Maurice having been the last seen in Durome’s company, is tried for the murder, condemned, and sentenced to death; but before the sentence can be carried into effect he manages to escape and is picked up at sea by a man of war, on boned of which 1m is identified, and immediately after the ship is found to be on fire. (This scene is particularly well set, considering the limited dimensions of the stage, and the mechanist is certainly entitled to a word of praise.) Maurice, with the captain's daughter, succeeds iu reaching Africa, and the latter swears everlasting de yotion to her deliverer They are afterwards found by Helene’s father, who succeeds in estranging them, and forces his daughter to promise to marry Folbert. The latter presents the stolen jewels to Helene, and a meeting planned by her, Maurice identifies his mother’s jewels, and so establishes his innocence and proves the guilt of Folbert. To make his villainy complete, Folbert determines to murder Maurice, but stabs his guardian in his stead. As is usual with the representation of a new play, the first act passed without any marked enthusiasm, but as the drama proceeded the interest increased with the development of the plot, and the audience frequently indicated their thorough appreciation of the various performers. Mr Bates as the escaped convict acted throughout with more than his accustomed vigor • Mid his efforts were ably seconded by Mrs Bates, who sang a ballad incidental to the fourth act with such sweetness as to call for its repetition. Mr and Mrs Bates were called before the curtain at the close of each act. The low comedy part—the only one in the piecenext claims notice. Last evening it was filled by Mr Stoneham, who fairly astonished his audience by his really excellent bye-play and acting, which were altogether free from vulgarity. He received a special call at the close of the fourth act, and was loudly applauded. The subsidiary parts do not call for special comment, all being done full justice to. “ The Red Pocket Book” should have a lengthed run; and the management, in producing novelties in so complete a manner as this play is, deserve to be well supported. We understand that a drama by a well-known local author will shortly be produced. ■