THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5734, 15 August 1879, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

‘‘The Merchant of Venice ” was last night produced at the Theatre Koyal, with Mr. G. X). Chaplin as Shylock, a part in which he has been received with great favor in all parts of the colony. The comedy— for a comedy it ■is—was not played in its entirety, the last act being omitted, an omission which, in the opinion of most critical playgoers, is a very great mistake, as it cuts short the story as told by ' Shakespeare, and leaves the very finest comedy element in the play untold. No doubt Mr. Chaplin has good precedent to, go upon, as ’many of the greatest among the English actors used to bring down the curtain for the last time on the court scene. The reason of this is obvious the Jew being disposed of, the representative of > the part likes the piece to end with his exit, thus leaving, as it were, a stronger impression on the mind of the audience so far as he is concerned than would probably. be the case were the fifth act played. Still, such an ex- ' cuse as this will not hold water, for the play must, and always does, suffer from the mutilation. However, taking the four acts that were ~ given last evening, it may be stated that as . far as Mr. Chaplin was concerned, he gave a most admirable representation of .the revengeful Jew ; and in the scene where he learns of his daughter’s elopement with a portion of his wealth ; where, afterwards, he is' informed of the loss of -Antonio’s ship; and later on, in the Court scene, his magnificent acting brought down the house. The Antonio of Mr. Burford ■is so well known here that it need only be said that it was as well and carefully played as • ever; and Mr. St. Laurence is to be complimented bn ' his excellent rendition of the character of, Bassanio. It was a great improvement on his performance of the previous evening. - The Gratiano of 'Mr. Tolano was neither good in conception nor in' execution ; it was, where it should. have been light and ‘ mercurial, as solemn and heavy as could well be imagined. This gentleman is by no means a light comedian, and to be thrust into such a . part could not fail to cause the play to suffer. : Two or three of the other actors—notably Mr. Miers—were considerably overweighted, and therefore caused a most depressing effect on the audience when they were the principal performers on the stage. Mr. Lachlan McGowan ■ sustained no less than three parts, and sus- ■ tained them well. The Lancelot Gobbo of ■ Mr. Bland Holt was a very fine performance, and did much to redeem the shortcomings of the others. This gentleman is a comedian of . a very high order, and evidently knows his . business thoroughly. If the two or three other . gentlemen to whom reference, has been made • were, only good in comparison, such pieces might be sustained far more effectively than they can be with the present company. Mr. Chaplin is an actor of great merit, but unless , properly supported his performances must suffer, and the business also. Concerning the ladies, we have a far more cheerful duty to perform than to offer any adverse criticism. The Portia of Miss Hose Osborne was a highly pleasing and : a highly successful one. She dressed the part splendidly, spoke the lines, where necessary, with an archness that was quite bewitching, and was in the trial scene thoroughly effective, particularly in the celebrated mercy speech. Her efforts were ably seconded by Miss Lily Marsh, who made a pretty and pig&ante Nerissa. : This young lady is a pretty and interesting little actress, and is rapidly becoming a great favorite. Miss Lena Edwin sust tained the part of Jessica, and played with spirit and taste throughout. The evening’s entertainment was brought to a close with the really “screaming" farce of “Tittum’s First • Hide,” in which Mr. Bland Holt convulsed the audience by his clever and highly humorous performance of the trials and troubles of a gentleman who attempts to win a race having never ridden a horse before. This evening the tragedy of “ Hamlet” will be produced, Mr. . Chaplin of course appearing as the melancholy .Dane.