THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1403, 14 August 1878, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Mr Hoskins’ Benefit,

One of the largest audiences the Theatre Royal has ever contained assembled last night within its walls on the occasion of the benefit, given to Mr Hoskins to commemorate his forty-first anniversary on any stage. The performance commenced with the two act comedy, “ Woodcock’s Little Game,” which is by no means a novelty to a Christchurch audience, though why it should have been revived for Mr Hoskins to make his farewell appearance in is hard to say. The popular actor’s greatest triumphs have been in the Shakspearian and poetical drama, and it wonld have been ranch more gratifying to have seen him in one of his groat specialities, such as Dr. Pangloss, Richelieu, Sir Anthony Absolute, or Goldfinch, than in such a role as Mr Woodcock, which demands no special ability to enact, and in a piece that is but one degree removed from a farce. If it served no other purpose, it at least demonstrated the faculty possessed by Mr and Mrs Hoskins to carry a piece on their own special merits to a successful termination. Otherwise the comedy itself or its performance calls for no special criticism. It was followed by a song from Miss Ruby D’Arcy, and then came the event, of the evening. Mr Hoskins addressed the audience in an excellent speech, in which he narrated his personal experiences in England and the colonies, terminating with an eloquent advocacy of the claims of the drama on public patronage, and a plea for its exponents. The scene was then drawn off discovering Mr Maskell in the character of Sir Charles Coldstream, ennvyed for want of some excitement. Mr J. P. Hydes suggested several plans for his relief, closing with the proposal that they shall both adjourn to the theatre to witness a presentation to Mr Hoskins. At this juncture Sir Cracroft Wilson, Mr Jno. Oilivier and the ladies and gentlemen of tiie company made their entrance on to the stage, and after some badinage between Messrs Maskell and Oilivier, the former presented Mr Hoskins with a portemonnaie which, on being opened, proved to have “Nothing in it.” _ Sir Cracroft supplied the deficiency by placing in it £2OO, which he presented to Mr Hoskins, accompanied by prolonged applause from the audience, Mr Oilivier next presented Mr Hoskins with a handsome gold watch on behalf of the Theatre Royal Company, which was also accompanied by similar demonstrations of approval from the front of the house. This part of the programme terminated by Mr Hoskins making a brief speed*, in which ho warmly thanked the donors ot the double gift. There waa a call before the curtain at the termination of the comedy and also after the presentation. The performance terminated with the repetition of the burlesque of “ Lalla Rookh,” the chief attraction of which was the excellent scenery by Mr Williams, the scenic artist of the theatre. On Thursday evening Mr J. Marshall will take a benefit, which promises to be largely patronised. The dramatic company, with Mr Hoskins, sail for Wellington on Friday next.