THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5736, 18 August 1879, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The ever-popular tragedy of “ Othello” drew together a large audience at the Theatre Royal on Saturday. The stalls and pit were nearly filled, whilst, for a Saturday night, there was a goodly array in the dress-circle. Of course, the character of Othello, the Moor of Venice, was sustained by Mr. G. D. Chaplin, and that of Desdemona by Miss Rose Osborne. There are few play-goers, and perhaps fewer readers, in the broad sense of that term, who are not familiar with the plot and the incidents of that play which is the creation of our great national poet, and it is no small satisfaction to those who believe that the stage can be made either a power for good or evil to be able to see Shakspeare interpreted by a gentleman having a just concentiou of hia art, and who always appears to have in mind the celebrated advice given to the players. There was no rant, no playing to the gods, no dancing before the footlights, but from first to last Mr. Chaplin steadily kept the attention of his audience firmly rivetted upon the play. His address to the Senate was a fine piece of declamation, although we must confess that other actors have pleased us more in that particular part. His interviews with Desdemona, his rebuke to Cassio, and his impassioned appeals to lago to give him tangible proofs of Desdemona’s frailty, were grand pieces of acting ; whilst the fatal bridal chamber scene, and the fervid oration to the soldiers, “I have done the State some service, and they know it,' 1 were so thoroughly realistic, that even strong men might well have been pardoned for shedding a tear over the sad ending of the fair Desdemona’s young life. Miss Osborne acted very well, dressed with great taste, and looked extremely like the personification of the part entrusted to her ; and at the end of the play both she and Hr. Chaplin were called before the curtain. The dress adopted by Mr. Chaplin was somewhat different to that used by other great actors who have visited the colonies, but according to our way of thinking, it was quite in keeping with that which might have been worn by one descended like Othello, and who at the time was in command of ene of the richest States in Europe. Mr. Burford, as la<ro, was well up in his part, and appeared to have a just idea of the character of the low, cunning, villainous scoundrel which he had to pourtray ; but there is always something which Mr, Burford appears to be unable to do, or will not do, and that is, to sink his own individuality into the character he has to represent. If Mr. Burford could'or would only do that, he would make an actor of no mean order, because he is at all times well up in his part, and is thoroughly conscientious in whatever be does. Mr. St. Lawrence is an actor of the same class, and we were hopeful that, as he grew older in his profession, he would endeavor to rid himself of a mannerism which must only prove a drawback, and can add nothing to his reputation. He had all the dialogue at his fingers’ ends, and looked such a gay cavalier that even the lovely Desdemona might have been pardoned had she bestowed some of her fair glances upon him. Emilia was played by Miss Lily Marsh in a very creditable manner, and all the ether accessory characters were fairly sustained. By the way, speaking of Miss Lily Marsh, a good many were puzzled to distinguish between a very young lady of the same name, who afterwards appeared in the burlesque of “ FraDiavolo,” and it might be judicious to have some little distinction made between those two ladies in the hand-bills.

The burlesque of “Fra Diavolo” followed as a sort of after-piece, and although it was just a little tame at the first going off, the mirth, and fun, and frolic with which the extravaganza bristles soon became apparent, and the acting of Mr. Bland Holt, in the part of Beppo, took the entire audience by surprise. He entered so thoroughly into the rollicking drollery of the piece that old and young alike laughed until their sides were ready to ache. Fra Diavolo was entrusted to Miss Lena Edwin, and was iu very good hands; Lord and Lady Allcash to our old friends, Mr. and Mrs. McGowan, who sustained the characters very well ; whilst Miss Lily Marsh seemed quite at ease in her acting of the part of Zerlina, the village beauty, her pretty face and sweet, although not powerful, volte chiming

in with tile character to a nicety. Mr. 10, I). Moivry, as Giu'mc.i (Beppo's pal), reuderel good assistance to the tatterdemalion brigand in all his vagaries. Miss A. Marsh, as Francisco (a farcin '.tiii_' fellow), and Mr. J. Tolano, as Lorenzo pi Kumpean bobby, and, as his red face betokened, an iuu-spector) acquitted themselves very well. This evening :m emotional six-act tday, entitled “ A Celebrated Case.” avill be produced for the fir.-t time. The character of Jeiußeuaud (a soldier) will be su-taiued by Mr. Chaplin ; that of Madeline Kenaud, his wife, will be taken by Miss Osborne in the prologue ; »nd that of Adrienne, in the play, will fall to the lot of the same talented lady.