THEATRICAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4970, 26 February 1877, Page 3

THEATRICAL MATTERS.

" By'my penny of observation."— Siiakspere. Mr. John Utting's play " Check and Coun-ter-Check " was played at the Theatre Koyal on Saturday night. In common with many others I had a curiosity to see this piece, written by a gentleman connected with the New Zealand Press, and performed in Dunedin, as the papers had it, with immense success. Having seen it, then, I have come to the conclusion that there is a good deal more in the saying "tastes differ" than ever I thought there was before. It is indeed a sensational play ; in fact, there is nothing but sensation about it, the author apparently having introduced all the startling situations in all the sensational plays extant. The sayings put into the mouths of the characters strike one as being familiar, too, as occurring in _ melodramatic efforts seen before. But it is very hard to be.entirely original now; and if Mr. fitting has borrowed a little from those who borrowed possibly from somebody else small blame to him. In the construction of the story, however, and the movement of the piece Mr. Utting has made a bold attempt at originality, having entirely departed from the beaten track in this particular, which enabled him to produce extraordinary effect, and work wonders with his characters. Those who were not at the Theatre Royal last night, but who have had the pleasure of seeing " The Hut of the Red Mountain" performed, may gather a faint idea of what "Check and CounterCheck "is like. In the first place, the scene is laid in America ; period the time of the civil war between the North and South. The story is simple. Clara Courteney is an orphan, and the ward of a bad man, Colonel Manners, an officer.in the Northern army, who wishes to marry the young lady, but she rejects his addresses, being desperately in love with a Captain Danvers. The curtain rises on an apartment in the Colonel's house. A young lady appears and states that she is lady's maid to Miss Courteney, and likes her situation pretty well, and as indicating an idea of the dignity she claims for her position in life, refuses to answer a bell which is heard to ring. This ringing causes the housekeeper, Mrs. Squaretoes, to arrive on the scene, and whilst the two are engaged in discussing points of etiquette, a third party puts in an appearance,.bringing with him the stock in trade of a photographer. He doesn't seem to have much business there, because he offers to take their photographs for nothing, and is just preparing to take Emma's, when he has to hide behind a curtain in consequence of the arrival of Colonel Manners. The latter has an interview with his ward Clara, declaring his passion. She refuses to be «his, declaring that she never will, would rather die a thousand deaths, &c. He threatens her with exposure, telling her that he knows a secret in connection with her life which were he to disclose it would mean for her ruin, degradation, aud many dreadful things. Clara relents not however ; she thinks of dear Frank, and says, with fine expression and an originality of language f"r which I cannot too highly commend the gifted author who created the character — " Once for all, Colonel Manners, I will never be yours. I defy and scorn you." The Colonel, after telling her she is really a slave (that being the secret of her birth), becomes ferocious) and says, "You shall be mine." Frank Danvers suddenly makes his appearance (everything is done suddenly it may have been alreadv remarked) ; and he and the Colonel call ea'ch other names, the result being that they draw swords and are just about to fight, when Reuben Gheikins, the photographer, rushes out with a piece of the trade furniture before, mentioned and parts them. Thus it will be seen that Reuben, whose first appearance seemed to be somewhat idiotic and uncalled for, is of some importance in the piece, and in all subsequent proceedings he takes an active part, having become one of the family almost, the tie being strengthened by his making the discovery that he is a cousin of the lady's maid, Emma. I had forgotten to mention one character, Squails, a quaker, supposed to be the funny man of the piece, and who devotes himself to the utterance of "sighs, tears, complaints, and lamentations loud," and finds a congenial spirit m Mrs: Squaretoes. There are three acts.in the play, and the situations are very .striking. Colonel Manners places Frank Danvers under arrest, and makes several attempts to carry off Clara with the aid of his regiment of three soldiers, but is twice frustrated owing to the übiquitous character of the photographer and his lachrymose friend Squaik, who appear unexpectedly at Hie very moments when success seems about to crown the efforts of the wicked guardian; and Clara, dear, devoted. girl, is never tired of saying that she "never, never will," and seems to have an unusually large stock on hand of scorn, defiance, contempt, loathing, and hatred. The action of the piece is very galloping, the characters travelling over the Continent m a surprisingly quick manner. Eventually Clara is captured and locked up in a cell, but she hasn't been there long before friends Gheikins and Squails, come and rescue her, iron bars being a trifling barrier, easily overcome/ They all get through the window, and suddenly appear again safe on their way to General Grant, with whom Clara wiiihcß to have aa interview and expose her guardian's villainy. It is here that she is made acquainted with the fact that Frank has escaped and is in hiding. So they all make for the Bpot Frank is in, a sort of blockhouse, and on arrivine- there Clara sings " Happy be thy dreams.'' Frank being asleep, that of course is the proper thing to do. Frank wakes, fays, Ha ! that voice ! 'tis my Clara ; unlocks the door, and Clara rushes in ; she says, 'tis he, my Frank ! and they embrace. Gheikin's finding this sort of ' thing catching, embraces the maid. But their joy is short-lived. The cruel guardian, with his regiment of three soldiers, arrives on the scene. The Americans are known to be smart people. Frank attempts to escape through a barred window, but the entire regiment fire at him when within a couple of yards distance, and they wound him in the arm. He is tried by court martial as a traitor, the charge being laid by Colonel Manners, and he is found guilty. The President informs him that he is to be shot dead ; of course it would be improper to have him shot alive. Clara faints. The next scene discloses our citizen friends walking about amongst the fighting, " the action" having commenced in real earnest. Then comes the grand sensational climax. ' A Captain Stanton, who appears to have been introduced to give evidence against Frank at the trial, comes in at the head of Colonel Manners' regiment, and Frank stands ready to be shot. Captain Stanton indulges in a little sentiment, and then gives the order to present. The regiment are just about to fire, when Gheikins rushes in with a reprieve. _ Frank is set at liberty, and he hurries off with the express intention of taking Richmond, all following him. Presently Colonel Manners darts in, and, tearing down the Northern flag, places the Southern in its place. He has only just accomplished this feat however, when Gheikins rushes up and puts things straight again. He then hands, the Colonel over to Captain Danvers, and tells them to "have it out." They fight, and the colonel is killed. Thus everything is arranged -satisfactorily. As to the manner in which Mr. Utting's play was performed, I should say that it received more than justice. So far as Mr. Hall was concerned, he did Mb best to make it interesting, and succeeded partially by introducing humorous business and "gag," as it is professionally called. But for him, assisted by Mrs. Hall and Mr. Sam Howard, the performance would have been unbearably slow ; as it was, however, the very muddle and confusion which characterises the" play— the incidents in which have not the slighest connection—Berved to make it amusingly ridiculous. It being impossible to regard it seriously, then, all that was left to the audience was to enjoy the ridiculous side, and it certainly was very amusing, Mr. Hall being, as he always is, intensely fanny. Mrs. Hall made something of an. absurd part, while Mrs. and. Miss Stoneham did their • best. The soldiers, fireworks, blue fire, and guns were prominent features in the play, which, if 'written to amuse children, might possibly be deemed to be a success. Really I nothing more favorable can be said of it. The farce of "Spitfire," in which Mr. Hall is so funny, followed, and it was a pleasant relief.

1 The present season at the Theatre Royal will shortly conclude, and Mr. and Mrs. Hall will be followed by Mrs. Siddons and Mr. Steele, who are now playing in Chrjstchurch. The Lydia-Howarde Troupe are also expected to arrive here shortly, their advance agent, Mr. Smythe, having arrived in Wellington last week, so that we shall not want for amusement in this city for some time to come. The Mirror of England has not met with such a large amount of success since its return as" it did on the first occasion of its being exhibited in the Odd Fellows' Hall, which can be easily understood. The novelty has worn off. I understand that the proprietor intends to exhibit the panorama in the Wairarapa, where he may rest assured of doing a good business for a few nights. As current theatrical items I may note the reappearance of Miss Colville at the Theatre lloyal; Christchurch, and the. great success of the Chicago Minstrels at the same place. Mdlle. Franzini, the "Bicycular Pegasus," is appearing nightly at the Skating Rink, in the "City of the Plains," in the great phantasmagoria, " Rink Van Winkle, or Wheel I Never," with all the moving, muscular multitude, and curious calisthenic catastrophes incident to the painfully stern realities of this living drama. Miss Jennie Payne, late of the Lydia Howarde Troupe, has been appearing at Westport, having made her first appearance in the dancing saloon on the 10th inst., as "characteristic, comic, and sentimental singer and danseuse." At Auckland Emmet has been doing a. good business. The Davenports have been playing with success in different parts of. the Southern Island, and will, I suppose, give us a turn in timei

Mr. L'Estrange, '.'.the Australian Blondin," has been attracting a large amount of attention over on the other side. An exchange in "noticing" him, says:—Mr. L'Estrange has evidently made the real Blondin his study in everything he does ; and were it not that the Australian Blondin has not such a robust form as his French prototype, it would be very easy for anyone witnessing.his feats to imagine they saw the world-renowned ropewalker. The canvas enclosure, the rope, and the stages at the ends of the rope, the mode of ascending and descending, the various dresses, the music, and the programme of feats are all similar. L'Estrange commences his peformance with a walk across the rope (which is about forty feet from the ground) in armor, forwards and backwards, then does the chair performance, the walk across covered with a sack, aud the bicycle riding, finishing with a. display of fireworks, which made a fine illumination, and formed a splendid finale to a very successful entertainment. Moth.