THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4530, 27 September 1875, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

A new season was opened at the Theatre Koyal on Saturday evening, under the management of the Public Hall Company. Since the conclusion of the Hoskins season the theatre has undergone complete renovation and some desirable alterations. A portion of the stage between the boxes has been cut away, and the 3pace thus gained is devoted to affording accommodation for the orchestra, to replace the miserable tumbledown affair that previously served as an orchestra box. Some alteration has been made in the pit, vacant space having been utilised, so that additional seating room is given. The effect of these alterations is to add to the comfort of frequenters of the theatre, and to provide some 200 additional seats, but the most noticeable and agreeable change is in the lighting. In place of the half-dozen dim flickering burners which previously gave a dismal melancholy appearance to the dress circle, the house is now illuminated from a sunlight in the middle of the ceiling. The gasalier is exceedingly ornamental, being composed of white and colored prismatic glass-drops, and the effect all; over the house is excellent. On the stage several improvements are visible, the new carpet being conspicuous. These alterations have been effected under the direction of Mr. Hillsden, the energetic secretary of the company, and under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Lockie, Mr. Hayes having attended to the- lighting apparatus. The company which appeared for the first time on Saturday evening has been correctly described as being, if not strong, at any rate of average capability, fairly matched, and of good general capacity; and if the success which attended their first performance be sustained throughout the season, there will be little room for adverse criticism. But the company will from time to time be strengthened. Mr. and Mrs. Darrell were engaged to appear at the commencement of the season*, but owing to the much-regretted illness of Mrs. Darrell, that was rendered impossible. At the end of this week, however, they will appear. Mr. IXavis, the ventriloquist, has been engaged, and there is talk of Mr. Wheatleigh presenting his great play, " The Shaughran," and at Christmas, for the first time, we are to have a pantomime in "Wellington. The Public Hall Company cannot be accused of lethargy in catering for the wants of the theatrical public of the city, and if Mr. Hillsden, who has shown himself to be an excellent manager, is able to carry out his arrangements, success is certain. On Saturday evening the house was crammeddownstairs, and there was a large dress circle audience. Thepieces brought forward were, the comedy "Married Life," and a burlesque on ."Fra Diavolo." The former, which is by Buckstone, is tolerably well known to playgoers, but briefly, it is a comical exhibition of various phases of what i 3 politely described as "incompatibility of temper" in married life. The piece, which is remarkably amusing, was performed without the slightest hitch from beginning to end, and the burlesque on " Fra Diavolo" ran off very fairly, owing to' Miss Jennie Nye's excellent singing and dancing. So successful was the performance on the whole, that it is to be repeated this evening. Features which dsserve especial notice are the selections played by thevery efficient band under the; conductorship of Mr. Marshall, and the remarkable punctuality observed in raising the curtain, the waits between the acts being of very brief duration.