THE QUEEN’S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3964, 8 November 1875, Page 2

THE QUEEN’S THEATRE.

Having witnessed its production in Christchurch, we wore prepared to believe that “Th Shaughraun,” well put on the stage, would here, aa in every place it has yet been performed, take the town by storm. And to the triple fact that the management have gone to trouble and expense in producing the piece; that it is well cast and well acted, and pc?- ee possesses much merit as an acting nlay, is due the unusual favor with which it was received on Saturday night by an audience that packed the lower parts of the house autj filled the circle. We have neither the space nor the inclination to discuss the questions—whether or not “ The Shaughraun ” is the best of Bouoicault’s plays, c whether he can claim originality for it. We prefer to allow our leaders to judge of the first for themsilves, and the author’s representative (and he is well able to do so) to settle with those who ra ; sa an issue upon the second. Suffice it for us to say, that the play presents many novelties of construction, is a series of enjoyable surprises, yet not without sensational incidents ; while into the mou hs o' the principal characterers, the types of which we. are made familiar with inot'hers’of Boucicault’s (days, are put_ strings of witticisms, which k*ep the audience constantly in a titter. Conn, the Shaughraun, is the ,'centre-piece of the play, and his is a character that has been mo.-t aptly described as “in disposition cheerful, buoyant, generous, enthusiastic, sympathetic, and compassionate. and who, though in rags, possesses a nature at once pat.iotic, chivalrous, and loving—eager to battle for the right, and ready in wit and strategy, for fun or for emergency.” Xu the hands of Mr Wheatleich these traits are admirably brought out, with a degree of naturalness which constitutes the chie> merit of the performance, lamming over the remaining characters in the order that .they claim attention we have Mrs Hates, as Claire, leaving nothing to be desired if she would not attempt the brogue, which she cannot mana-re ; Miss Willis doing well the little Kate - -’Neil) has to do; Miss Leake ir\ her element aa Moya, the sweetheart of Couu, and Miss Vivian made up capitally as Conn’s mother. Then there are Mr Clinton, who would be successful if he could conceive the Kinchellv not to be of an acrobatic turn of mb d ; Mr Keogh, who for once decides to be undemonstrative in action and not noisy of speech, and therefore makes a good representative of the second villain of the piec-,-; Mr Stoueham, who is good as the young officer; Mr Min-e-rave, th u whom better as Father Hoolau the company coual not furnish; and lastly Mr _ Hooper, not over comfortaide, as Ffoliot, Mr Willis has painted some ex cel lent sc-'Uery—to wit, t e Gate Tower, and a view of t>t Bridget’s Abbey. Mention, too must be made of the no' r t-I hinge contrivance bv which tiie method ot young Ffoliot’s es ape from prison is made manifest to the au.dem e. The delight of the latter with the play and Mr Wheatle-.gh’s acting in it was expressed by vociferous calls before the curtain at the end of each act; and a similar honor was int-aided (-hough we are not aware it was acknowledged) for Mr Willis for his scenery. The ‘Shaughran ’ is to tie rep-ated till further notice, and we have no hesitation in saying it deserves to enjoy a long run.