A THEATRICAL DISPUTE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1131, 13 March 1872, Page 4

A THEATRICAL DISPUTE.

The recent rupture between Mr Tavares and the company playing at the Christchurch Theatre formed the basis of an action for . damages preferred by the latter in the Resident Magistrate's Court. ■The proceedings wero frequently o£ a very amusing character. So much sp indeed was this the case, that both the officials of tho Court and the general public could not restrain their laughter, and tho cries of " silence." were so frequent that the Court orderly nmst have folt the effect of his vocal efforts to command silence for some time after. The company suing included Miss Cassy Matthews, Miss Dolly Green, White, Wolfe, and others. In his evidence Tavares gave a ludicrous description of the acting of all except the ladies. Ho said there was no inducement except the bad acting to make him throw up the engagement. He told White that he was. sorry on his account, aa he had no fault to find with him, but he could not go on. Green and Matthews asked him to go on ; he at first refused, complaining of Wolfe pronouncing " gauge " " gorge," and " epitomo " " epitome," but ultimately consented to go back on higher terms, on their undertaking to havo everything right, but reserved the right of withdrawing at any time. Miss Matthews came to him about one of the critiques in a towering rage, and said, " These editors nmst be spoken to." Tho banquet in Macbeth was represented by a round table with nothing on it. The Merchant of Venice, played on -the Tuesday night, was powerfully hissed. Shylock had no keys. The man who was to invite him to supper never gave the invitation, which witness accordingly had to blend with the reply to make the gist plain to the audience. By Mr Joynt — He had played in five towns in the colonies, including Christchurch. From tho representations of the company, ' he had every reason to suppose they could play Shakespeare. They could have played better had they had a competent stage manager, and he told : them so. He thought Miss Green fitted for the place. In "Hamlet" the man who ought to have played "Marcellus" was drunk, and another was sent on to read the part from a book. On Wednesday, one man said, " Lancelot is diseased (for deceased) and gone to heaven." The lady who played ''Portia" was not perfect. The second time "Richelieu" was played, it was no better played than at first ; Wolfe was about the worst of tho lot. They refused to repeat a piece as he advised, for they said a new piece would draw better. The public- did not call Wolfe forward as " Othello," bnt a cry which began behind the scenes was taken up by a few boys in thepit. His Worship, after consideration, said bethought there had been a breach of contract. There was no doubt that the defendant had received a great deal of provocation, but he thought that on the weight of evidence there had been a breach cf contract. He should certainly not give more than what were comparatively nominal damages. Judgment was given for L 5 and costs, including professional fee of one guinea.