The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 1st, 1863.

Southland Times, Issue 961, 1 June 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE Ist, 1863.

Wo have been favored with the persual of a lotter recently received from Peru, South America, from MrWtldon, the late Director of Telegraphs in Southland, The lett-er ia addressed to his brother, the Commissioner of Police, and the •writer speaks in 'glowing terms of the salubrity of the climate, &c, and appears highly pleased with the country generally. He has received a most responsible and important appointment in connection with the extension of telegraphs in that country. Many of Mr Weldon's numerous friends in the Province will be glad to hear of his success. The Southland coal brought into Invercargill by Captain Howell was tested on Saturday last. The trains on the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway were driven by this fuel, and the engineer states that the result was most satisfactory. It will be perceived from our advertising columns that the Nathan Troupe will make their first appearance on Tuesday evening at the Theatre Royal. In every province where this talented company have performed, their entertainments have been crowned with success. Amongst the company is our old friend Small, a talented singer and accomplished actor. Many of our readers will remember, in the day3 of InvercarguTs prosperity, the crowded houses at the Theatre Royal that nightly rewarded his inimitable drollery and mirth provoking acting. The performances of the Nathan Troupe have been highly spoken of by the colonial press, and feel assured that they will be equally well appreciated by the people of Invercargill. From amidst innumerable critiques on the performances of the Nathan Company, the following shows the estimation in which they were held in Auckland. The " New Zealand Herald" sa ya: — " One of the most genuine successes, if we may judge by applause and encores, which was ever made within the walls of a theatre was witnessed last night at the Prince of Wales. The Nathan family, who made their first appearance last evening, are without doubt the most talented assemblage of juvenile artistes we hare ever had the pleasure of looking upon, and unaccustomed as an Auckland audience must be to the performances of a troupe of children, we can well understand the enthusiasm with which were greeted last night. The entertainment commenced with the old and well known extravaganza, ' Bombastes Furioso,' which is, however, as far as we know, played now for the first time in our city. The parts of Distaffina, Kiag Artaxeminies, and Bombastes were admirably played by the children, who made every point, and evolved every situation with the skill of old and practised actors. Indeed, many old workers in the histrionic art might advantageously take a lesson from these little wondera of genius. A musical interlude followed, in which the cornet playing of Master B. Nathan was much applauded, while Mr Joe Chambers secured the good will of the audience by his exceedingly clever and characteristic dancing. We were also introduced to our old and valued favorite, Mr Joe Small, who received a most hearty greeting, and was loudly encored in his Irish song, which he delivered in the spirit of a true artiste. But the gem of the whole was the marvellous acting and singing of little Marion Nathan, a child not five years old, whose rendering of 'My Johnny was a Shoemaker,' and ' Finnigan's Wake,' was wonderful in the extreme. In fact, words cannot paint the power and finish with which this extraordinary little creature both acted and sang the ballots allotted to her. Such unusual talent in a child it has never before been our lot to witness, and we can assure our readers that they will thank us for most strongly urging upon them to pay an early visit to the Theatre to witness the varied and pleasing entertainment now offered to them. The performance concluded with the ballet called the ' Village Coquette,' in which the whole company appeared," Still later the " Otago Daily Times" of the 23th inst, in noticing the departure of the Nathan Troupe from Dunedin says : — " The farewell performauces of the Nathan Troupe were, if possible, more successful than any previous ones. The entertainments were for tho benefit of Mr S. Q-. Isaacs, and the Hall was crowded in every part. The audience was as enthusiastic as it was numerous: and many an old actress would have been proud to have received the applause given to Little Marion and Miss Selina Nathan, for their really meritorious acting. In the first piece, "Andy Blake," Little Marion played with a touching simplicity and naturalness. She seemed to feel the emotions she pourtrayed ; and there was so entire an absence of appearance of effort, that none could fail to be pleased. In the second piece, her racy brogue, smart action, and well sustained dialogue, made her the real girl from Tipperary ;" and her song was given with such a genuine humour, that the audience was made to laugh in spite of themselves. The ballet, which concluded the performances gave all the members of the Troupe on opportunity of displaying their skill as dancers. The hornpipe, with which it ended, was one of the best executed we have seen. In this piece, Mr Chambers was very successful — his comic business, make-up, and dancing being perfect. The Nathan Troupe have deservedly gained popularity here, and pleasant recollections of the genuine amusement they provided will linger in the minds of many." The second of the Penny Beading Entertainments came off on Friday evening last, in the Exchange-buildings, with much success. So unfavorable had the weather been during the afternoon and evening, that fears were entertained that the meeting would require to be postponed ; but b9fore eight o'clock, the rain having cleared ofi a little, quite as large an audience had collected as that which patronised the first entertaiiment. Business was commenced by Mr J. E. Stewart reading a prologue, which, in addition to being original and appropriate, possessed also the rare merit of brevity. The other performers, one and all, also acquitted themselves most creditI ably, maintaining the interest of the audience throughout. One or two humorous pieces read during the evening created much mirth. The musical selections werei 03 usual, rendered with taste and correctness, and to the great delight of the audience, who warmly applauded each vocal and instrumental effort, in some cases insisting on an encore. The public is evidently inclined to support these popular entertainments, and their subsequent BUCceßs will in a great measure rest upon the z,eal and tact of the committee of manage-

ment. These gentlemen must be most careful k ' maintain and increase the prestige already obtained, and this will best bo done by making arransements for th c successive readings at least some weck3 in advance, so as to give those who have either to speak, sing, or play, ample time for preparation. Defects, or imperfections, which become apparent at any of the entertainments should also be punctually remedied, and not allowed to occur a second "time. Admirable as the arrangements have been on both past occasions, there are two points to which it is but right to direct the attention of the management. The first and most prominent is the too great length of most of the readings : this error was quite as noticeable on Friday evening as it was on the first occasion. The second is the allowing too long a time to elapse between the various pieces. An audience cannot bear to see the boards unoccupied, and on the slightest appearance of a hitch, or delay, soon testifies its impatience and disapprobation. At the close of the entertainment Mr M'Clure, the chairman, intimated that, as the Exchange buildings had recently changed hands, it was probable it would not much longer be obtainable for the purposes of the Penny Reading Society. This is to be regretted, certainly, in one respect, as the iron buildings are very conveniently situated 5 still, we believe the Theatre would be the best place for the meetings, as the lights and piano are always there ready for immediate use ; while having the meetings in the Exchange entails a great amount of labor on the committee in lighting up, borrowing, or hiring and moving the piano for every occasion, and so forth. No doubt the proprietor of the Theatre will treat with the committee in a liberal spirit j and if so, they cannot do better than give their next entertainment there.