Amusements.

Southland Times, Issue 962, 3 June 1868, Page 3

Amusements.

It will be perceived from our advertising columns that the Nathan Troupe will make their first appearance on Wednesday 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 oar old friend Small, a talented singer and accomplished actor. Many of our readers will remember, in the days of Invercargill's 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 critique! on the performances of the Nathan. Company, the following shows the estimation in which they were held in Auckland. The " New Zealand Herald" says:— "One of the most genuine successes, if we may judge by ap.plause and encores, which wu 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 artisteß we have 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, ' Bombastei Furioso,' which is, however, as far ai we know, played now for the first time in our city. The parts of Distaffi na, Knag Artaxeminiei-, and Bombastes were admirably played by the children, who made every point, and evolved every situation with the skill of old and practised acton. Indeed, many old workers in the histrionic art might advautageously take a lesson from these little wonders of geniusl A _ musical interlude followed, in which the cornet playing of Master E. Nathan was much applauded, while Mr Joe Chambers secured the good' will of the audience by his exceedingly clever and characteristic dancin^. 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 songi 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 " Otagb Daily Times" of the 23th. inst, in noticing the departure of the Nathan Troupe from Dunedin says :— -" The farewell performances of tCie Nathan Troupe were, if possible, more 'successful than 'any previous 0r.33. The entertainments were for the benefit of Mr S. G-. 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 j" 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 h»v« seen. In this piece, $X.r Chambers was rerj successful — hia comic business, make-up, and dancing being perfect. The .Nathan Troupe have deservedly, gained popular'ty here, and pleasant recollections of the genuine amusement they provided will linger in tha minds of many."