THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates are just concluding a successful season of two months at the Theatre Koyal. Though of a somewhat different order of talent to Mr.- Hoskins and Miss Colville, they have succeeded in creating an equally favorable impression amongst, theatrical supporters here, which is saying a great deal, for previous to the coming of Mr. and Mrs. Bates no actor or actress reached so great a height in the scale of popularity as Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins. A great deal of this success in both cases is traceable to one cause.- Mr. Bates and Mr. Hoskins are both men who understand their business. Every piece produced under the management of the one or the other is put on the stage with an attention to detail which in itself is sufficient to avert failure. The “’prentice hand” is never visible, and slovenliness knows no abiding place within the sphere in which Mr.' Bates moves. Theatrical representation under these circumstances becomes thoroughly enjoyable, and it is this thorough enjoyment which will make the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Bates memorable. Comedy, drama, and tragedy have each been presented in turn, with one unvarying result —a result which, recognising Mr. and Mrs. Bates as fair types of the American school of actors and actresses, proves that the American stage occupies a position not one whit behind that of England. Casting aside considerations of purely professional concern, these visitors from “the great continent” have reflected credit upon the national character and their own, by a demeanor which, in public as well as in private life, has drawn toward them a feeling of general respect, the influence of which tends greatly to raise the profession as a body .to a higher standard. Mrs. Bates takes_ a farewell benefit on Monday night, that being her last appearance and that of the company for the present season. They then leave for, Napier, where they play for a fortnight. It is highly probable, however, that the Napier people will not care to part with such talented artists at the end of such a short season, so they may not go South to fill their engagements at Christchurch and Dunedin for some time yet. Their stay in the colony has far exceeded their original intentions, and it is not improbable that it may be very considerably prolonged.