Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2985, 9 September 1878, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

• Sydney, Saturday. The Eandwick races were continued to-day.

The production of "Macbeth" on Saturday night attracted a good attendance at the above theatre, and the performance realised the highest expectations that could hare been formed regarding it. Mr G. D. Chaplin came amongst us a stranger except by repute, but having run the gauntlet. of the Australian Press and come out with very marked and flattering testimony to his merits, his success here was assured. The character of Macbeth is one which some actors are wont to mar by a too vigorous display of lungs and limbs. Mr Chaplin does not attempt to carry his audience with him by means of loud talking or vigorous action In the possession of a beautiful voice—capable of expressing the softest emotion or the wildest passion—and a good presence, Mr Chaplin has two advantages of special value to an actor. In addition to these he has evidently brought to bear upon the study of Macbeth intelligence and application. His representation of the ambitious Thane is a most meritorious one, and devoid of exaggeration. In, his soliloquies he spoke the words as if he were.. really talking to himself ; in the interviews with Lady Macbeth his bearing was such ,as became the situation; while in those scenesrequiring the display of strong feeling and vigorous utterance, Mr Chaplin was equal to the occasion. We regard his performance of Macbeth as ranking with the best we have seen, and did space permit we could enlarge on the effective way in which some scenes especially were sustained, and the careful enunciation by which the points in the text were made to tell. Mrs Walter Hill played Lady Macbeth, and played it so well that had she not been the favorite she is with Thames audiences, she would have won "golden opinions from all sorts of people." Mr J. B. Steele pssumed the role of Baaquo (as stated ia

the playbill for that occasion only), and Mr C. Burford played Macduff. Both gentlemen 'sustained the reputation they have long ago acquired; the latter acquitting'himself;■ well in the combat scene at the close of the piece. Mr Musgrave doubled the parts of Duncan (the King)* and the Doctor, and made the most of the situations. Miss Jessie Raymond was cast for Malcolm, and creditably enacted tho \>ar?t: and the same may be said of Mr O'Brien as Roise. Locke's music was well rendered by the orchestra and members of the company; with Miss Lizzie Morgan as Hecate, Mr Emmet as first "witch, Miss Lily May as second, and Miss Mclan as third witch. The remaining characters were filled as creditably as the resources of the company' would permit; and the performauce as a whole gave satisfaction to the audience with-, out evoking any noisy demonstrations! of approval. Mr Chaplin and Mr Bur-i ford were called at the end of the last act. As students or readers of. Sliakspere know, " Macbeth" fairly bristles with trite sayings, which by usage are rendered " familliar in our mouths as" household words; " and the text; was bo well delivered generally tbat not one of them was' lost to the' attentive listener. Mr Chaplin's conception of the part inclines to the traditionary rendition of the best Shaksper'an actors, but it is evident that he has studied the character thoroughly. To-night the play is "Hamlet," aril we hope to gee another good house in recognition of Mr De Lias' enterprise, arid the claims of Mr Chaplin and an excellent company to public support.. '■'■■''] "' ■' '■'■ ■■'■ ;■;.'' .;.;".' ". ;: " ''"