THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5208, 30 November 1877, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Signor Majeroni took his benefit at the Theatre Royal last night, and as was expected a crowded house in every part greeted him on the occasion. During the present season there has been a succession of crowded houses, but none more so than that of last evening, and we were pleased to see it, as it was a graceful recognition on the part of the theatregoing portion of the community of their appreciation of the efforts of Signor and Signora Majeroni, assisted by the rest of the company, to afford a really first-class entertainment. The leading piece chosen for last evening (followed by the sparkling comedy of “Dholes, Nephews, and Nieces”) was “Paith and Priendshp.” This is a very sensational drama. The two sergeants, out of compassion to a woman and her children, permit them to cross a taboo line in time of an infectious epidemic, and are condemned to death, but one is to be allowed to live, and the prisoners are to decide by lot which. The lot of death falls upon William, Robert consenting to wait as hostage whilst William, on the permission of the adjutant, goes to take farewell of his wife and children. The adjutant, who has a mortal enmity against Robert, and wishes to marry Laura, Robert’s betrothed, conspires to have William detained, and thus to secure Robert’s death. But the marshal, while about the place incognito , has discovered the adjutant’s treachery, dismisses him, and makes him give up his sword just asthe firing party are drawn up ready to execute the sentence on Robert, At the same moment William rushes in exhausted, having swam some miles of water in order to keep his word to return ; William is restored to his previous rank of captain, resigned under pressure of a false charge ; Robert aud he are both saved, and the drama ends as abruptly as most of those presented during the season. The play was very ably presented, by all the leading characters, aud the home scene where William is with his wife and family was one of the most touching in all the list of moving episodes presented in the emotional series of dramas the Majeronis have brought before us. Signor Majeroni had in it the double task of keeping his fate a secret, and yet to reconcile his wife to his immediate departure, and the conflict of love and honor was depicted with impressive force. Signora Majeroni's acting in the scene was one of her highest achievements. The wife’s joy at her husband’s return is heightened by the arrival of a messenger with her husband’s pardon for the supposed crime as a captain, and as she brings out his well-kept captain’s uniform, and hovers about him with the pride as well as affection of a wife, her happiness is struck down by the strange manner of her husband as he announces his departure. She divines the existence of some terrible secret, and the adjutant’s emissary tells all, so that he might keep William at home, aud thus obey his orders aud save the life of William, who once saved his. The Signora, in her rapid transitions from joy to terror, gave us one of the most perfect examples of histrionic art ever seen here. The comedy was very well received, and at the fall of the curtain ?• perfect shower of bouquets was rained upon the stage. “ Faith and Friendship” will he repeated to-night, followed by a screaming farce by the company, entitled “ Family Jars."