THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4387, 12 April 1875, Page 4

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

RICHARD THE THIRD. The Bates-Howard company have not hitherto essayed Shakspeare in this city, but on Saturday night they produced “Richard the Third,” and placed it on the stage with the greatest care and with the help of some fine scenery. There was an overflowing house in stalls and pit, and a fair attendance in the dress-circle, but we cannot refrain from expressing some surprise that this portion of the house, now so fine a view of the stage can be commanded from every part of it, is not better patronised. It is not at all creditable to the elite, of the city that they hold aloof from patronising a company that is decidedly the best that ever occupied the Wellington stage, and fail to show that they can appreciate genuine acting and good stage management when they are presented to them. We have seen many “ Richards,” and without piretending to compare Mr. Bates with Charles Kean or G. V. Brooke—both gone to their rest—we may say with all truth that he gave a perfect reading of the part, and brought out all the many salient points of the crooked character of the crook-backed monarch. It is not necessary to follow the impersonation from scene tn scene, or to examine in which of them, or in what incident, his interpretation varied from that of the illustrious actors we have just named. Nor is it necessary to claim for Mr. Bates any special excellence in any particular scene. Throughout it was a most intelligent interpretation of a part, the villainous audacity of which is matched by no other creation of the dramatic poet of the Avon. Mrs. Bates, in the part of Queen Elizabeth—a very different Elizabeth, so far as the humor of the character goes, from her who led the chivalry of England against the Spaniards of the Armada, a part which Mrs. Bates has made her own—contributed greatly to the success of the play by her really able acting. Henry of Richmond was well impersonated by Mr. Burford, while Mr. Thorpe as the Duke of Buckingham, and Mr. Hydes.as Catesby, excelled themselves. Mr. Sam Howard was so well disguised as to be scarcely recognisable as the “ Lord Mayor ” of London. Miss Annie Francis made a very good Prince of Wales, while Miss Josephine,, by her extremely arch impersonation of the very young Duke of York, created not merely great amusement, but an impression that Mr.. Bates has found in her a capable youngster for juvenile parts of that class. • The whole performance was admirable, and was highly applauded. This evening a French drama of domestic character, and of great interest, entitled “ True Hearts, or a Wife’s Trials,” will, be produced. Its production is another proof that if hard and intelligent work can command success Mr. and Mrs. Bates should command it. At all events, it must be said for them that, command it or no, at least they deserve it.