THEATRICAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4982, 12 March 1877, Page 2

THEATRICAL MATTERS.

Buy ray penny of observation. —Shakspeke.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall performed at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, closing a week of in - different success. Whatever be the cause, Mr, Hall has not been so well patronised during his stay here as he deserves to be. On Saturday night an opportunity was given the public oi seeing Mr. Hall perform in one of his best parts, that of Salem Scudder in the “ Octoroon,” and it is not too much to say that the impersonation was superior to any that preceded it ou the Wellington stage, whilst I should imagine that the audience would be very hard to please who could desire much better acting. The play was very well mounted, and ran smoothly throughout. Mrs. Hall’s acting as the Octoroon girl was undoubtedly effective. She threw herself into it thoroughly, and succeeded in enlisting the sympathies of her audience. As to the others engaged in the representation, their efforts generally are deserving of favorable crii icism. Miss Morgan dressed her part well, and heit acting was very pleasing, notwithstanding that her sense of fun , seemed to be so lively during the evening that on one occasion she ma le an attempt to cry, and succeeded admirably in producing a merry laugh; perhaps one was as good as the other, but as the sailor observed at Drury Lane Theatre, “It wasn’t in the play.” Mr. Sam Howard’s old nigger was a good impersonation; he is familiar in that character, but always funny. There was a very good house, and the audience appeared highly delighted with the performance. The present season will positively conclude on Wednesday night. Mrs. Scott-Siddons, assisted hy Mr. .Steele, will next appear at the Theatre Royal/ The arrival of this world-renowned artiste is looked forward to with great interest and curiosity. And this, perhaps, may be regarded as an explanation of the fact that Mr. Hall has not drawn so well.

At the Odd Fellows’ Hall the Chicago Minstrels have been doing a good business. I may remark that I have had reason to change my opinion slightly as to the merits of this troupe. Their first appearance in Wellington was made under somewhat unfavorable circumstances. In the first place they were without a fuK band, having left two performers behind them before coming to Wellington, and in the second place it must be admitted that there was some allowance to be made for their opening immediately after experiencing the fatigue of a sea voyage. Therefore, I consider it only fair to say that whilst the Chicago Minstrels are not superior to many troupes in the same line of business who have travelled through the colony, they nevertheless provide an entertainment that is well worth seeing ; and I have no doubt they will have no reason to regret their visit to Wellington. They appear for three more nights, and these performances are understood to be positively their last. The Lydia Howarde Troupe arrived here at the latter end of last week, en route for Nelson, where they open to-morrow night. They will next appear in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Wellington. It is stated that Messrs. Cooper, Bailey, and Co., who are at present in Melbourne, with their circus, were not indisposed to sell to the Victorian Government one of the elephants attached to their menagerie. The price asked, however, was considered too large. The-per-forming elephant is not for sale, although the company affirm that they have been offered £2OOO for him. For the middle-sized animal they ask £BOO, and for one of the “ babies" £IOO is the smallest sum that will be accepted. MofK,