AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4208, 22 August 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE PRINCESS.

Another of Byron's comedies, "Married in Haste," was produced at the Princess's ; last evening. The play is founded on tke I comedietta, " Cut off with a Shilling," and the plot may be briefly described thus: Josiah Grainger (Mr Burford) a retired manufacturer, has a daughter Ethel (Mrs Lingard) whom he wishes married into a high family. His daughter is an artist of no mean order, and a pupil of one Augustus Vere (Mr Douglas). A strong attachment springs up between the master and pupil, Ethel declares that she will marry none .but an artist, is proposed for by Vere and r accepted. Her parents at hearing this becomes very wroth and order Vere out of the house. As he is leave-taking, Gibson Greene, one of Vere's friends, arrives opportunely on a visit to the Graingers, and informs Ethel's father that Vere will become possessed of an income of L6.C00 a year on the death of his rich uncle. Grainger thereupon tells Vere that there is no necessity for his going away and that his proposal is favorably entertained. Ethel and Vere are, accordingly, united. Shortly after his marriage Vere meets his uncle at an hotel, but, not knowing him, mentions that he is expecting to become possessed of a very handsome annuity from this very personage, whose decease he accordingly wishes for. Pendragon, the uncle (Mr Hoskins) thereupon discovers himself, and threatens to disinherit his ungrateful nephew. After this misfortune appears to overtake Vere, he neglects his home, and Ethel, being induced to believe that he is false to her, is persuaded to return to her parents' home. At length, through the instrumentality of Greene, Vere and his wife are re-ur.ited, and* Pendragon becomes reconciled to his nephew. The piece was well played—were we to except the first act, which dragged very much owing to the failing memory of one of the performers, and the audience, though somewhat small, was exceedingly appreciative. Mr 3 Lingard's Ethel may be raniced amongst her best characters, her acting in some of the emotional parts evidencing considerable intensity of feeling. Greene is a character very different to the old buttonnau, but Mr Lingard was quite as happy in his representation of it as in Perkyn Middlewick. The concluding piece was the farce of " Mr and Mrs White," in which Mr and Mrs Lingard were doubly encored for their rendering of a duet from "Trovatore." The same bill will be presented to-night.

THE QUEEN'S.

At the Queen's Theatre last evening Mr George DarrelTs new drama "Transported for Life " was produced for the first time on any stage. The popularity of this author's previous works was proved by the large audience that assembled to witness the latest emanation from his pen, the house being positively crammed in the lower parts. We gave a very full description of the plot of " Transported for Life " in a recent issue, and we need on thiß occasion only notice the various characters and the way in which they were filled last evening. The most prominent of the dramatis peraoncnia Hugh Chandos,who has at the rising of the curtain just been set free on a ticket-of-leave after serving part of a sentenceof seven years'penal servitude for the alleged poisoning of an old miser, bed-ridden in a Loudon Hospital—of which crime he is, however, innocent. Mr George Darrell took this character, and he carried out his own conception admirably, playing naturally and evenly throughout, ana without overstraining after effect. Mr Darrell has put some very effective language into the mouth of hit hero, but also some which i-t expressive of

false sentimeat, and the latter, wa think, might with advantage be out otijfc *tth«ut injury to the piece. Edith Vaughan, the heroine, is a tender loving woman, true to Chandos through all his troubles, and the character found a fitting -exponent in Mrs Darrell. James Tyrrell, the false Mend. of Chandos and the real poisoner of the/old miser, is a powerfully drawn character, and the success of the drama depends in-li great measure on the vigor with which this is played. Mr Clinton was last night all that could be desired, his representation of the repeatedly baffled villian being very effective, comes Tom thorough cockney, addicted 'to'drawing comparisons in the Sam Weller style, and occasionally '• dropping into poetry. 1 ' Mr Saville played the part faithfully, and caused endless amusement,' whenever he was in possession of the stage. It the low-comedy element he was -ably supported by Miss Vivian as the warm-hearted servant Bridget O'Rourke, the only fault of the latter being that she seemed at times aa though her memory were about to fail' her. Mrs Walter Hill was quite at home as : the merry, lively Nelly Vaughan; but the character is perhaps a little too free and easy in her conversation, though her outspoken manner is ingeniously accounted for: Aft the new-chum exquisite Gerald Fitzroy, Mr Hooper was well cast and he made several very successful hits. Mr Keogh appeared in a repulsive aspect as William Soames.the drunken tool of James Tyrrell, but he acted the part very well indeed. Mr Love made a* regular Donnyhrook Fair Irishman of Tim O'Meaghan, and the minor characters WeVe also well filled. The scenery, painted jsjfe; cially by Mr Willis,-was. exceedingly"good throughout, the diggings and the ship scenes being most applauded. The audience called Mr "Willis before the ■ curtain for both. In conclusion we may remark that the drama might be curtailed with advantage, the dialogue in parts being very weak. A notable instance of this is afforded in the first scene of the third act. Still " Transported for Life "is undoubtedly Mr Darrell's best work, the interest being su*> tained—and infactincreasing—fromfirst; to last, the sensational scenes -are hot tooMprobable, and the tableaux are highly effective. The same programme will be repeated this evening. ,:; .?