THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4393, 19 April 1875, Page 3

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

MACBETH. The production of “ Richard the Third” on Saturday the 10th, was a great success, but it was altogether eclipsed by the production of “ Macbeth” on Saturday night last, when four hundred people were present in the pit, the stalls were filled, and the dress circle pretty well attended. This result confirms the opinion some time ago expressed that the sensational dramas of the day are by no means so popular as plays of the legitimate drama. Time will not now penuit the management to accept the hint the public has so unmistakably given on the two occasions on which Shakespeare has been revived, as they play but one week more ; but they may be able to give us one more Shakespearian night, and if Mr. and Mrs. Bates return to Wellington, as wo trust they will do, their experience now will probably be of use to them then. “Macbeth” was played on Saturday night in a highly satisfactory manner. The very most was made of the company, and the resources of the theatre, and with the best results. The part of Lady Macbeth was, of course, played by Mrs. Bates, and it is scarcely, necessary to say that, throughout—in the murder scene, at the banquet, and the sleep-walking scene which precedes the death—she played with power and feeling, and wag most warmly applauded. Hr. Bates gave a very careful reading of the part of the ambitious Scottish thane, well sustained throughout. Without those startling bursts of passions which marked the Macbeth of Kean and Brooke, and with less of pretension than marked the Macbeth of Barry .Sullivan, Mr. Bates missed no point, and brought out all the traits of the character as Shakspeare drew it. He gave the dagger soliloquy, the banquetting trance, and other wellknown scenes, with admirable fidelity to the spirit as well as the letter of the text. We have no intention, however, of playing the part of critic. It is sufficient to say that the performance was highly satisfactory, and the audience were not niggardly in marks of their approbation. Mr. and Mrs. Bates were ably assisted by Mr, Burford as Macduff; Mr. Stoneham as Malcolm ; Mr. Hesford as Duncan ; Mr. Thorpe as Banquo ; and Mr. Lawrence as Ross. The leading witches were personated by Mr. Hydes, Mr. Sam Howard, and Miss Hettie Howard. Locke’s music was given with unexpected success, and it is highly creditable to young Willie Hydes, who led on the piano, that he was able to work the company so well, and to lead and accompany them so creditably. What, however, became of the amateurs whose assistance in the orchestra was promised ? Not one of them appeared in fulfilment of his pledge. Their absence was anything but a compliment to the artists and strangers to whom they had promised their aid, and was not particularly creditable to themselves.

We may again remark that the week on which the company have now entered is the last during which they will perform in Wellington, the engagements of Mx*. and Mi’s. Bates calling them elsewhere. To-night the company perform “The Hunchback;” and on Tuesday night “The Honeymoon,” for the benefit of the leading lady of the company.