THEATRICAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4976, 5 March 1877, Page 3

THEATRICAL MATTERS.

By my penny of observation. —Shakstpeke. The management of the Theatre Eoyal are deserving of a certain amount of credit for their decided endeavors,., to provide constant and varied amusement to suit the public taste. Perhaps there are few people who have such good reason as actors have to understand what a vast amount of importance attaches to that little word of five letters. Like many other words easily spelt and pronounced, it is big with meaning to those who can or are placed in a position to thoroughly appreciate it. Wellington is acknowledged to be one of the best “ show towns” in the colony, by which is meant that for its size and the number of its inhabitants it patronises all closes of amusement as -largely as any other town in New Zealand, and is more liberal in this respect than some of them. Still the people must have novelty, and the Theatre Eoyal management, recognising the fact, have striven to meet the popular taste. During the past week several new pieces have been produced, with Mr. and Mrs. Hall in the leading parts. Chief among them was the little domestic drama, “Our Nelly,” played, for the first time in Wellington, to a very good house. The play being well adapted to the strength of the company, the performance was a genuine success. Mr. Hall appeared in a character somewhat different to the class in which he has made a World-wide reputation; but hia acting was none the less good as Tom College, a medical student. The two acts literally teem with light humor and effective business, in which Mr. Sam Howard, an old f ivorite with the Wellington public, was conspicuous. The success of “ Our Nelly ” was followed by the decided non-success of “ Luriine,” a burlesque in which Mr, Hall is known to he unsurpassed by any actor of Australasian reputation. But apart from the natural humor of that gentleman there was nothing in the performance but a continued muddling, that could not but cause pain to those who went to the Theatre prepared to witness something above and beyond what is ordinarily seen here in the shape of burlesque acting. This was to be regretted, because the audience lost the enjoyment of a treat. The writer has lively recollections of seeing this burlesque performed some years ago by Mr. Hall and a company under his direction, and of seeing the extraordinary effect produced upon the crowded audiences he played to night after night. The chief cause of the failure of the burlesque last week was the want of an efficient orchestra. “ Old Sailors ” was another new piece, which took very well, and the “ Young Widow,” a capital farce, met with a reception of a flattering character. On Saturday night, at the Theatre Eoyal, “ The Derby Day,” a sensational drama, which had a tremendous run in Melbourne, was produced to a good house. As the title to some extent indicates, the plot of,the piece turns on the result of the big race on Derby Day, and the interest centres in the fortunes of “ the favorite,” Flying Jib, and the machinations of some horsey blacklegs, who make an attempt to “ nobble ” him, to the end that he may fail to win the race. They are frustrated however in their attempt, without their being aware of it; an old and tried servant of the gentleman who owns the horse places another horse, similar in appearance, in Flying Jib’s stall, and they nobble the wrong one, the consequence being that the favorite wins the race. The piece was carefully put upon the stage, and the scenic effects were very good ; not to speak of the “ real live horses,” whose appearance on the stage necessarily produced a round of applause, which was repeated, with the addition of hearty laughter, when Mr. Hesford appeared on the back of one of the animals, shortly after the race was supposed to have been won. It may be suggested, however, that the general effect would have been slightly improved if the paper horses that jerked speedily along the scene of the course (on canvas) had been made to disappear entirely before the .triumphant entrance of Flying Jib, instead of hanging in a bunch as they did at the side of the wing, like a collection of red herrings on a string. But speaking generally of the “Derby Day," and considering the short time allowed for rehearsal, it was a creditable performance. I must not omit to mention in connection with it the appearance of Mr. Alex, O’Brien, who

met with a reception of a very flattering character, and it must be said that he fully deserved all the applause bestowed upon him. Mr. O’Brien is acknowledged to be unexcelled as a step dancer in negro minstrel business, his reputation in Australia standing very high , and he did justice to the opinion entertained of him by his performance on Saturday in the last scene of the play of which I have been writing. He was enthusiastically applauded, aud responded to an encore. _ These nigger performances are not appreciated by every one, aud they have become insufferably common. In most cases I should think the inanities of an indifferent circus clown offer as much entertainment, and perhaps more; but Mr. O'Brien’s performances differ widely from those commonly seen on the stage. He is really talented. He sings well, dances excellently, and his powers of contortion are marvellous to behold. The “ Derby Day will be repeated this evening, the farce of “The Temple of 'he Sun” to follow. The arrival of the Chicago Minstrels was preceded by glowing accounts of the excellence of the entertainment given by them, and the immense profit attending their performance in the South. Consequently it was natural to expect that they would make their debut in Wellington to a large audience, but many were astonished to see the crowded state of the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Saturday night before 8 o’clock. Many were turned away from the front seats, it being impossible to find room for them. The first part of the entertainment was slightly interfered with by the confusion consequent on the continued rush of people to the front after 8 o’clock ; and from this point of view it is almost a pity that the attendance should have been so large. Speaking of the merits of the troupe, this may be said, that they give a very fair entertainment, and will possibly improve on acquaintance. There are some very good voices among the members, and that of Mr. W. C. Hawkins is a musical curiosity, being an alto of peculiar purity and strength ; and Mr. Towle, too, has a pleasing tenor—but he is tolerably well known to the Wellington public. Mr. Marshall is the possessor of a fine bass voice, aiM Mr. Cary sings well; whilst in the “corner” business Messrs. Wallace and Arlington are not below the average tambo and bones class; Mr. Wallace, in some of the scenes in the second part was the life of the entertainment, and a host in himself. The choruses were in _ most instances well rendered, and the solo with chorus “Hark! the drum,” byMr.Towle,wasexcellent, aud elicited genuine applause. Of course the usual sketches were introduced, and delighted a section of the audience ; and the step-dancing of Messrs. Wallace and Arlington called forth plaudits from all parts of the house. In musical instruments the troupe are very deficient—a want which is particularly noticeable. The band consists of a piano and a cornet. Speaking generally of the performance, I may say that I have seen worse of its kind, and very much superior also. Of course some would say, and give themselves credit for saying it, as displaying their large experience, that the same opinion might be expressed with regard to any company of men catering for the amusement of the public. Undoubtedly it might. But it pleases me to use that form of expression as denoting the idea gained by witnessing the performance of the Chicago Minstrels, that they are not by means calculated to “set the Thames on fire,” as the saying is, or accomplish any other feat of a like gigantic nature by their talents, and yet that they may afford very good amusement for sufficient numbers of those who attend theatres to ensure their doing a fair business ; and no one, I fancy, will feel disposed to quarrel with such as may deem the Chicago Minstrels worthy of the ecstatic praise bestowed upon them by fluent local-writers in the Southern Press. Since writing the above, I have been informed that it is intended to increase the strength of the band, which will be a great improvement. Mr. Hall will continue at the Royal for another week, an announcement that will be hailed with satisfaction and pleasure by the patrons of that theatre; and it is hoped that the enterprise of the management in retaining the services of this brilliant artist will be rewarded by success. Mrs. Scott-Siddons will make her dehut in Wellington on the 14th of the present month, and judging from her high reputation as ■an English actress, we may anticipate an opportunity of witnessing dramatic performances such as are not frequently seen. When recently playing in Melbourne she was pronounced by the Press and the people to be the greatest Shaksperiau actress who had ever visited that city. In Dunedin she succeeded for five weeks in crowding the theatre nightly, creating quite a furore in that city, particularly among the upper circles. She played a whole round of Shaksperiau characters, from Juliet to Lady Macbeth, the former of which has been pronounced her very finest part. In order to give her every possible support, the management have engaged Mr. J. B. Steele, a highly popular and capable actor, who is well-known throughout New Zealand. In referring to the expected visit of the Lydia Howarde Troupe last week I was in error in stating that they would appear at the Theatre Royal. The troupe have engaged the Odd Fellows’ Hall, and will, I believe, follow in the wake of the Chicago Minstrels. The Howarde Troupe have been remarkably successful in Dunedin, to judge from the “ notices” which have appeared in the local Press. The Otago Guardian speaks very highly of the performances of Mias Howarde, Miss Novaro, and other members of the company ; however, it is almost unnecessary to mention that fact, as playgoers in Wellington are pretty well acquainted with the merits of most of the performances.

In connection with theatrical matters I have a little incident to mention. It relates to the “ Mirror of England," or, I should more correctly say, the gentlemen travelling with it. It was the intention of Mr. Kennedy, the agent and lecturer, to proceed to the Wairarapa on Saturday morning, and he made due preparations on Friday night to have a cab at his hotel at 7 o’clock, to meet the morning train. Morning came, but with it at the appointed hour no cab. However, a lowwheeled fish cart came along, and a brilliant idea at once seized upon Mr. Kennedy. He would go in that fish cart, he and the pianist, with their luggage. The fisherman, a greasy but gentlemanly foreigner, protested that he could not —he must sell his fish. “Fish be salted,” said he of the “ Mirror,” who in fancy no doubt saw the train departing and the “ Mirror ” left behind. In went the luggage, and the two gentlemen after it, much to the astonishment of the fisherman, and off they started at a pace of four miles an hour. Presently the engaged cab made its appearance, whereupon Mr. Kennedy rose up on the fish-cart, and waved it majestically back. And after all this trouble, they arrived just in time to see the train glide away from the station. It is not on record whether Mr. Kennedy swore at the fisherman or anathematised his barbed steed; but had he done either, I should feel inclined to excuse him, and agree with Mr. Weller, “ that the feelins* must have went.” Moth.