AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 726, 17 October 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL. Mr G. Darrell’s new play “ Transported for Life,” was performed for the first time in Christchurch, at the Music Hall last evening, to an overflowing house, and was a pronounced success. Indeed, when we consider the smallness of the stage for the production of a piece depending in no small measure on the scenic and mechanical effects, -,d the fact that a large proportion of the characters were assumed by novices in the drama, the undoubted triumph achieved by the piece is even more decided. But while we say that the piece in some degree depends upon the scenic and mechanical effects, we must not be understood to mean that the language aud situations are subordinate. On the contrary, every line of the piece is well written. The conception of the plot is excellent, and it is consistently and intelligently worked out. There is nothing strained or unnatural, even in what is termed the sensation effects. They follow so naturally from the outcome of the plot as it developes, that it is a misnomer to call them sensational. The language of the piece is excellent throughout, particularly the parts of the hero and heroine. Mr Darrell has wisely avoided any clap-trap or false sentiment in the words spoken by his characters, and there is a freshness and vitality about the dialogue which is a relief from the staginess and stilted ideas which mar the effect of so many modern plays. In the production of such a piece as the one played last night, Mr Darrell has great reason to be proud. The colonies have ere this added names to the roll of those famous in art and literature. They have shewn the world that though under a distant sky and amid strange scenes the love of the beautiful and artistic is not extinct or disregarded amongst ns. Bat the contributions of colonial dramatic authors have been but few. Therefore, Mr Darrell, in that he has written a piece which we consider worthy of comparison, and favorably, too, with many written by authors of high standing in the old country, is to be congratulated upon having achieved an upward step in the path he has chosen. The piece of last evening, produced in any of the larger cities of Australia, with all the accessories and improved resources of the theatres there, would be sufficient to stamp bis fame as an author. We sincerely congratulate him upon the undoubted and complete trinmph he has worthily won, and can only express a hope that in a wider sphere he will meet with that success he deserves. We may say here that the management deserve every credit for the manner in which the piece was put on the stage, and to the efforts of Messrs Briggs and Mason much of the results of last night are justly due. Of the manner in which the various characters were filled, we can truly speak in terms of high commendation. Indeed we must confess to being most agreeably surprised at the way in which the parts were played. Even had they not been so, there would have been ample room for excuse, for the reason we have before alluded to. But no such excuse was needed. For a first night, and that too of a very heavy piece, it went splendidly. There was not a single hitch. Every one was perfect, and the piece went as if it had been running for some time. The part of the heroine, the true woman who through all still clings to the man she loves, and when the clouds are darkest hopes on, was admirably rendered by Mrs Darrell. Her conception of the part was a most artistic performance throughout. There was about her performance a repose aud yet an energy and life which showed how thorough an artiste she is. In the scenes with Hubert, where she meets him for the first time after their long separation, the joy dashed with sorrow for his undeserved sufferings which she feels, was most forcibly pourtrayed. So too in the scenes with the villain, where she defies him to do his worst, prepared to brave all only to be with the man she loves, Mrs Darrell was excellent, as indeed she was throughout. The warm plaudits with which she was greeted, shewed how thoroughly the audience appreciated what was really a very fine performance. Mdlle Navaro is to be congratulated upon the thorough success attendant upon what may be regarded as her debut here in drama. The light-hearted, out-spoken frank girl was depicted by her charmingly, and she played with a self-possession and spirit which would nave done credit to an actress of long standing in the profession. There was a naturalness about her acting which made the part go immensely, and throughout she evinced a true conception of the character. Miss Nye, as the Irish servant, infused plenty of spirit into her rendering, and if her brogue lacked the raciness of the “ first gim of the say,” one could forgive this slight defect for the really admirable manner in which she sustained her character. Mr Darrell’s Hubert Ohandos was a carefully drawn and well acted character. The proud sensitive nature of the man unjustly accused, and serving a cruel sentence for a crime of which he was innocent, was most strikingly brought out. The scenes with Edith and Tyrrell were played with great dramatic force, and he spoke the speeches, many of them full of pathos, with great elocutionary power. Here, if we may offer a suggestion to Mr Darrell, we may remark that some of the speeches both in the parts of Edith and Hubert would be improved by a little condensation. They are a trifle long, and might without injury to the piece in any way be slightly curtailed. As an actor as well as an author, however, Mr Darrell deserves very great praise indeed. Mr H. Stoneham played the part of Gerald Fitzroy, a young gentleman of aristocratic family in search of colonial experience, capitally. The sterling good hearted young fellow, though seeming to be somewhat out of his element amongst his rough companions*, was well depicted, and the part throughout admirably sustained. Mr Cary made quite a hit in the part of the villain, which he played with care and success. His scenes with Hubert and Edith were given with great effect, and he fully deserved the hearty applause he received. Mr Hill in the part of Tom Birdseye a perfect gem in his way —had one of those characters which he plays so admirably. His mixture of classic and modern languages in his profession as bellman to the camp, web amusing in the highest degree, as was also his courting scenes with Biddy Mr Alexander had a part something after the style of Old Ecclea in “ Caste,” and played it capitally. The victim of drink was pourtrayed forcibly, and yet not unnaturally} The scene with Tyrrell in the second act was one of his best efforts, and went excellently. Mr Herberts had a small part, bat by his

good acting made it stand out prominently. Of the scenic and mechanical effects we have already spoken. They were done in a manner surpassing anything we have yet had here, especially the triple scene in the third act, of the ship and the open sea, with the steamer bearing down on the two lovers in the end of the same act. Applause was frequent and hearty, and a call was made for the performers at the end of each act. At the last Mr Darrell was called for, and bowed his acknowledgments. The piece will be re peated to-night. SIMON SEN’S OPBBA COMPANY. The sparkling and brilliant opera of “ Carlo Broschi,” by Auber, was produced last evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, to an appreciative audience. Madame Simonsen took the part of the young student to perfection, and her singing and vocalisation were of the highest order. The recitative, “ What a romantic tale,” was very charming, and the air, “ Lonely, friendless,” commencing in a plaintive, melancholy strain, and then suddenly turning to an expression of hope and ardor, was delivered with great effect, the two conditions appearing in such admirable contrast. The Bomanesca beginning, “ Say what ails yon, lady,” Madame Simonsen sang splendidly, and on the termination of the second part was loudly applauded, One of the gems of the opera was the cavatina, “ To aid me, come, 0 gracious lady,” though the duets in which Madame Simonsen also took part, were eminently successful Miss Summers as Maria Teresa, was in excellent voice, and sang very pleasingly the old song which were introduced, “ When sorrow sleepeth,” an air which suited this lady’s voice admirably, her lower notes being excellently delivered. Miss Minna Fisher represented Casilda, and acted and sang with considerable effect, Among her successes was the romance, “ Like some fair statue in marble reposing ” and in the several

duetts in which she appeared, she sang very sweetly indeed. Mr Florence sang the opening air, “Tis she who sweetly each day,” with considerable taste and effect, but this gentleman does not study sufficiently his facial expression. For instance, in the duet “ So long from me has he been absent,” where the words “ So fair and so innocent seeming,” should not be given with a smile, but rather an expression of terror. Mr Hodgson played and sang to advantage as the King, and was very successful in many of the ensembles, “Watch o’er us kind heaven,” being excellently rendered. Mr Markham as Gil Vargas, and Mr Levison as Fra Antonio, played well, and Mr Darbyshire acquitted himself to advantage in the character of Count Medrano, We must not forget to speak in terms of the highest praise of the magnificent quartette “ Watch o’er us kind heaven,” by Madame Simonsen, Miss Summers, Miss Fisher, and Mr Hodgson, which deserved the enthusiastic applause afforded by the audience at its termination. This opera abounds in sparkling music, and in both absurd and romantic situations, and last night it was given as well as could be expected under the circumstances, the limited space of stage accommodation militating greatly against the general effect. The ensembles are peculiarly pleasing throughout, and generally speaking the opera of “ Carlo Broschi” is one in which Madame Simonsen has as much scope for her great histrionic and musical talents as any in which we remember to have seen her appear. The orchestra was particularly effective. The scenery was very pretty, more especially that in which the Sorcerers’ tree appears, from behind which Madame Simonsen, as Carlo, comes forth and impersonates the demon Asmodeus, “ Faust” will be produced to-night, in which Madame Simonsen will appear as Marguerite, and Mr Barrington as Mephistopheles, and we trust to be enabled to chronicle a crowded house upon the occasion.