THEATRE ROYAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2470, 17 February 1881, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

“Othello ” was produced last evening, and although the night was wet and disagreeable there was a very satisfactory attendance. Herr Bandmann, as the jealous and passionate Moor, abundantly confirmed the favorable impression he created on the previous evening. No two characters, perhaps, could be found more opposite than those of the melancholy Dane and the impetuous Moor, and yet the pomtrayal of both was as finished and powerful. Mr Walter Beynolds, who sustained the almost equally important role of lago, was very successful and depicted the meanness and the intrigue of the character in the most realistic manner. Mr James F. Gath cart doubled the parts of Brabantio and Montano, and in the former created by his natural style and finished acting a most favorable impression. Roderigo found an able exponent in the person of Mr A. Tasman. Miss Beaudet, as Desdeuiuna, was natural and unaffected and in the more important scenes when replying to the jealous questionings of the Moor, Fairly carried the audience away with her. Othello’s address to the Senate “ Most potent, grave, and reverend Signors” was given with much eloquence, while the equally celebrated passage, “ Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances, of moving acci* dents by flood and field” was given in a way that produced an enthusiastic round of applause. Mr Cathcart, as Brabantio, was especially effective in this scene, and his grief when relinguishing his daughter to the Moor, was both touching and dignified. The dialogue between lago and Boderigo, where the former advises the latter to “ put money in his purse ’’ was listened to with the closest attention, and indeed the advice was delivered with great force and significance, as was lago’s famous line “ To suckle fools and

chronicle small beer.” It was in the third act, when Othello, beginning to yield to the insiduous arguments and insinuations of the designing lago, begins to suspect Desdemona, that Herr Bandmann gave proof, if any were wanting, of what a consummate actor he is, while Mr Reynolds did not lose the opportunity hero, presented of showing his acquaintance with the character he represented. The murder of Desdemona was very realistic, while Othello’s remorse on discovering how he has been betrayed by lago was wonderfully pourtrayed, the way in which the words “Othello’s occupation's gone” were delivered exciting hearty applause. It was after the murder of Desdemona, when upbraiding Othello for his cruelty, that Miss Crawford, as Emilia, was at her best. The conclusion of the tragedy was the signal for considerable applause. To-night Einhard HI. will be produced, Herr Bandmann appearing as Richard.