MR. CRESWICK’S BENEFIT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5657, 17 May 1879, Page 2

MR. CRESWICK’S BENEFIT.

Mr. Creswiok may well have felt flattered last night by the large attendance which thronged the Imperial Opera House to do honor to him on his benefit night. Sic Hercules and Lady Robinson and suite arrived a few minutes past eight, and the entertainment opened at once with Sheridan Knowles’ play of “ William Tell.” Although Mr. Creswiok’a representation of Tell was a fine and manly rendering of the part, we do not admire the play. Anyone who is at all acquainted with Schiller's grand drama under the same title would regret that the English version had not been kept much closer to the linos of the great German poet. Miss Anne Major made a very good Albert (Tell’a son). Mias Solange Novaro as Emma, the wife of the hero, left, nothing to be desired. The play ran smoothly enough, but we care so little either for the text or for the plot that we cannot undertake to criticise the performance at all in detail. The condensed version of the “ Taming of the Shrew,” which was given under the title of ‘ Katherine and Petruchio," was, however, excellently rendered. We have often praised Mr. Creswick’s representation of Shakesperian characters, and we do not think he ever pleased us better than as the rollicking, jovial, hard-headed lover of the vixenish Katherine. His bonhomie and abandon were perfect ; and he was so ably supported by Miss Ashton as Katherine that it was quite a pleasure to see them on the stage together. In the first scene, where he pursues his courtship under difficulties caused by Kate's temper, his excellent tact, imperturbable good humor, and beguiling flattery, joined to a' bold if somewhat swaggering demeanor, commend him to all beholders. He is quite unabashed by the roughest treatment, and with a considerable appreciation of his own merits, no one can wonder that the shrewish Katherine loses her heart to so clever and handsome a gallant. His wealth and good looks alone would doubtless recommend him to her in a measure, and his utter disregard of the bad character for temper which she bore by reputation, was also greatly in his favor. Although she doubtless married in great haste, the bargain she made could not be considered a bad one in the end. It .is true that in the latter part of the pUy Petruchio acts the part of a farioso, with the temper and the recklessness of a man demented, but the assumption is so self-evident, and the actor so evidently enters into and enjoys the joke, which is quickly crowned with the desired success, that the audience was fairly forced into the spirit of the thing, and the whole house was full of merriment and laughter during the three short acta into which this play had been condensed for the occasion. As Mr. Creswick’s season is drawing to a close it may not bo out of place to record our high opinions of his acting as a whole. His style is that of former times, fervid and impassioned. He throws heart, soul, and every energy into each character he undertakes. As King Lear, Cardinal Richelieu, Othello, and Virginius, he pleased us more especially, and in the two first of those named we should be at a loss to suggest an improvement in any one particular. Wellington made hearty acknowledgments of his power and merit last night in spite of several strong counter attractions ; we were heartily glad to find that it was so. Every play brought forward has been put upon the stat-e with great care, and the dresses and scenery have been varied with much taste and effect. Mr. Elliott as the music-master, and Mr. Sterling White as Baptiste, deserve a word of praise. Mr. Power's Gunuio was really comic, and the whole play was most successfully performed. We shall witness Mr. Greswick’s departure with regret, as he is one of the few of the good old school left to remind us of other great actors of former days ; and while wishing him bon voyage, and all the prosperity he so well deserves, we express a hope that he may carry with him pleasurable reoollections of his visit to Wellington.