THE QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 4217, 1 September 1876, Page 4

THE QUEEN'S THEATRE.

There was a very full attendance in all parts of the Tkeatre last night, when Mr and Mrs George Darrell took their farewell benefit. "Masks and Faces" and "The Mexican Tigress," constituted the programme, whioh was gone through to the evident satisfaction of the audience, who were exceedingly demonstrative. During an interval, Mr Fish, on behalf of Mr and

Mrs DarreU's friends and admirers in this City, presented the lady with a handsome j diamond. locket, obtained at Kohn's, and valued at forty guineas, and both with an address, which read as follows :*— Mrs George Darrell—Deaf Madam, on behalfof a few friends and admirers, I have great pleasure in presenting you with this diamond leolcst, as & small mark of the appreciation and respect with whioh they regard yonr talents as an aotrew, your personal and domestic attributes as a lady. Standing as you haTe done for many ysars past, foremost in yoor profession, it is pleasurable to the lovers of the histrionio art to notify that in eyery way experience has served simply to ripen your genius and mature your powers. Mr George Darrejl, -Sir,—We the undersigned beg sincerely to eongratulate you upon the

rapid progress you hare made in your profswien, j and the success you haTe achieved, both a* i an actor and as a dramntio author. As an old and respected resident in Dunedin.lt is gratifying to yeur friends in this .City to note the position which your energj and talent nave enabled you to. attain. As a Colonial author and aotor yon hive fongfct to the frent, conquering the difficulties surrounding your" position, achieving a triumph' thereby n«oo*sarily «atisfaetory to yourself, and to the many admirera of your histrionio and literary, talent. Whilst appreciating yonr artistio and literary efforts, we cannot refrnin from adding that your •reputation is enhanced by the respect accorded you in j our private character. That success may eou-tinue-to follow tire\professional labors of yourself find yonrfnlofi+ed wife, is the desire of your many friends and well-wishers.

Addressing Mr Darrell, Mr Fish said, amid much applause, that " the people or I Dun'edin were proud of one who had been bipught up among them, aud, as an author and actor, obtained so much success, which r.hey hoped would continue. Mr Darrell made the following reply : '. I thank you for the very kind manner in which you ma r le her this very valuable present, and I must thank those who so kindly made you the medium of giving it her. I can say very little but what everybody will anticipate with regard to my wife. I feel infinitely more proud of the honor done to her than if it were for mysc'.f. lam convince'! that this feeling will ho shared in by every husband.—(Laughter.) ' I feel very proud to think that her character, bo hj on the stage and oS, is universal y esteemed throughout tho Australian Colonies, and I think.it should be the desire of every actor and actress to deserve the admiration of tho publiobotlioff the.stttKOandon.—(Applause.) Therefore, when these mementoes >ave been presented to Mrs Darrell as a mark of appreciation of nor qualities j asa womanand an actress, I am sure that she will appreciate the respect in which she is held in her profession. I need say no more on her behalf.' I will leave our past career to speak for itself. I only trust that she may be spared to adorn the drama for many years, and to share my labors, and that we may always meet with as many enthusiastic and genuine admirers as we have in Dunedin. —(Applause.) Now, ladies and gentlemen, lam no set speaker, and I don't arrange things beforehand; therefore, whatever I say comes from the heart. You must not expect anything classical from me. 1 sincerely re-echo the seiitin ents of Mr Pish vegarding our past career. Speaking for myself, ]

feei greater pride to stand successfully ®n this stage than I would do on ai\y other stage throughout the Australian Cobinie.3. —(Applause.) I know that every man likes to look .back to the commencement of his career. Though I did not commence as a professional here, I made my first appearance as an amateur in the old I'riuccss's Theatre. And a though tny friend Mr Fish predicted a failure for me, I always thoughb I -shonld forgo along. We have met with some success, and though we have not ■-arrived at anything great, still we may live in "bono. Yes, we trust to be as successful in the Old World as we have b?en bore.-- (Applause.) Ah an author I a:n only a beginner ; but so far, thanjes to tb>\ kindly notices of the Press, and the public, my efforts'have hitherto been a success. After coming f>'orn England, as we ant'.ri-. pate, I think I shal be abie to show you a Colonial drama worthy of a Colonial author amWi Colonial actor. —(Applause.) I should lik-" to ' remniri here iu Dunodin and occupy tlw; position of manager of one of the theatres, as it Brieves mo exceedingly to leave -this town where we Lave so .inany fvioids. However, this cannot bo, ns worthy managers have the thentros,. but I may live in hope. IE I. eventually become a manager h-ere I will endeavor to conduct the theatre properly, as I tru-.t it will bo for tne future tinrler the -management of my esleemeil friend Mr Steel'-. —(Applause.) I may now, while.l am on the " speak," as they say in America, thank the Press, not only in Duuediu, but throna-hout New Zealand, for the kind w»y they have always treatcdmo. Wt gertalittlerubbingdownoceasioiialry; perhaps wo deserve it—th ugh some peopl* *ay um Press treats me mildly because I am an old Pressman. There is a w 11-known axiom, that " familiarity breeds contempt,'" and there is a great deal of truth, in the statement. However, I thank them throughout the Colony for the very kindly manner ; in which they have treated me, which, has given me ' energy and encouragement. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I again thank you for the very kindly manner in which 1 you have always received me.— (Cheers.) _____________