THE THEATRE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5012, 17 April 1877, Page 2

THE THEATRE.

So much has been heard of Baker and Farron, the comedians, and of their extraordinary success in different parts of the world, that we were fully prepared to see a large attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening, on which occasion those gentlemen made their debut on the Wellington stage, in the drama “ Conrad and Lizette,” being assisted by the members of the Lydia Howarde troupe and the Theatre Royal stock company. Their business is very similar to that of Emmett, who not long since played a season here whilst making the New Zealand tour, but they have the ad vantage of additional strength, to say nothing of the superiority of their acting, undoubted as it actually is in certain directions. The comic element is predominant throughout their entertaining performance.

There is so much of the humorous about the situations that the veritable Dismal Jemmy could not help being amused. The drama of “ Conrad,” as may be easily imagined, is so arranged, to use a general term, that the business for which Messrs. Baker and Farron are peculiar, may be effectively introduced. In accordance with the principle governing all stories of the character sensational, there is a beautiful damsel, upon whom a wicked party has designs of a wicked character, the which designs are frustrated by the efforts of an honest unsophisticated Dutchman Conrad (Mr. Baker), the hero. The situations at the close of each act are extremely sensational, the cause of right versus might always being triumphant; and in speaking of the general effect of the play as it was performed for last night’s audience, it would not be proper to forget mentioning the really admirable scenic effects provided by Mr. Briggs, of whom we have on former occasions had to speak in terms of praise. But remarking on last night’s entertainment with reference to the chief actors in connection with it, we do not, to the slightest extent exaggerate in pronouncing it to be the most entertaining of its class, and Messrs. Baker and Farron are of comedians the most comic. In the progress of the drama Messrs. Baker and Farron introduced a number of selections from their repertoire of songs and dances, and their efforts were so really good as to elicit the most enthusiastic applause. It would be scarcely possible to imagine anything more humorous than Mr. Farron’s impersonation of an Irishman, Tim Flaherty, together with a scene in which he and Mr. Baker appear as military characters, and sing the “ Muldoon Guards.” Both gentlemen have fine voices, and sang so harmoniously thas it was a genuine treat to listen to them, whilst their terpsichoreau performances were really beautiful. Mr. Farrou’s “ make-up ” as a Dutch girl was a work of art, so natural was it in appearance, his acting, too, being so good that one felt a difficulty in believing that he was not looking at a member of the gentler sex. Mr. Baker was equally excellent, although his performances were not so varied as those of his colleague. We may confidently advise all to visit the Theatre Royal during the present season and satisfy themselves as to the attractions to be found in the acting of these gentlemen, supported as they are by the members of the theatrical profession, whose qualifications are well known to be much above mediocrity. Last night’s programme will be repeated this evening.