MISS COLVILLE AND THE AMATEURS.

Evening Star, Issue 4171, 10 July 1876, Page 2

MISS COLVILLE AND THE AMATEURS.

During the first interval at the Princess’s Theatre on Saturday evening. Miss Florence Colville came before the curtain and said Ladies and Gentleam very soiry to infotm you that mv husband (Mr Hoskins) is unable to appear this evening, but Mr Collier will play the part for him. My husband has for some time been laid up with the gout. While lam here this evening I want to say a few words concerning the articles in to-day’s K'S. I was in them accused of had taste in ng the stage waiting. I have appeared before you for four or five years, and I do not think I have ever kept the stage waiting ; but the gentlemen of the Press have thought fit to lay the blame upon my shoulders, and I suppose I must hear it.—(Hear hear.) They accuse me of bad taste. So far from intending or doing anything of the kind, I did all in my power to assist them, hut I had been kept up three nights with my husband. I was not well last night, and indeed I have not been very well since we came from Christchurch. 1 asked my maid to stay up with Mr Hoskins, as I was so worn out. I had two rehearsals yesterday—in the morning for to-night's performance, and in the afternoon for the amateurs’. I also came the day before yesterday and rehearsed with them. I was very tired and worn out with rehearsals. The day before the stage manager, or Mr Geddes, fixed 1 o’clock for the rehearsal on Friday. The other ladies and myself were kept waiting on this stage for two hours—l am sure, quite an hour and a half, gome of the gentlemen were hero punctually; but some of them that kept us waiting an hour and a-half never said. Ladies, I apologise." I thought I should come forward and tell the truth about this affair I was prompting and doing all I could for them at the entertainment last night, and yet they throw all the blame upon my shoulders. Ido not know whether any of you were present, but if you refer to the afterpiece yon will see who kept the stage waiting—(Hisses.) I hear some gentleman hiss. I suppose that is some friend of the Press. Though I appeared in the inferior part of Mrs Montague, which is genera'ly given to a second-rate artiste, I tried and did all I could to make the play successful. And I did so to oblige the Press. I know that in coming before the stage to-night Heave myself open to criticism. I know that daring my season here I’ shan he very much cut up by the Press.—(Cries of ell. I think I shall. I cannot say any more.—(Applause and hisses.)