MR WILLIAM CRESWICK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 142, 24 April 1879, Page 2

MR WILLIAM CRESWICK.

Dast night (says the HewZealander) Mr William Creswick made his first bow to a Wellington audience. His world-wide fame and . the announcements heralding his coming to this city had aroused expectation, and he was greeted by a large and, if we may use the term exceptionally, an intellectually, inclined audience, who came,: not merely to .witness spectacular and sensational dramatic effects, but the greatest living exponent of the chief among Shakesperian characters in Shakespear's masterpiece of poetic creation. ■Doubtless there were many persons among, the audience who, 1 in' addition, were" anxious to renew their recollections of the veteran actor whom-they had last..seen, in the yeyday of physical and intellectual powers: them the renewal of old, associations brought mingled feelings .of' gratification and surprise, and that though twenty years, may,be, or more had sped since tliey last saw him on the mimic stage, : yet he appeared, even yet to be in the zenith of his,power. "King Lear," as presented, last evening, was a wondrous performance. All that has been said and written of Mr Creswick's impersonation of the character pales before the reality in its intaisity of powerful appeal to the

emotions, The spectators" at times were hushed in awe-struck silence, Mowed, ever and anon, by bursts of uncontrollable applause; not noisy clamorings, but the spontaneous expression of pent-up feelings which could not longer be repressed. At the end of each act Mr Creswick was called ..before the curtain to receive the ovations his genius merits. The success of tKe performance was also well ensured from the first rising of the curtain by the support given him by the company. Each and all were good. Mr Vincent very ably supported the chief actor in his assumption of the character of Edgar, and in the mad scene at the end of the second act, won well deserved applause. Miss Hellen Asliton as Cordelia, Miss Solange Navaro as Goneril, and Miss Bessie Vivian as Began, the daughter of the old king, were each in their parts most successful, and the minor, but by nd' means unimportant, part of the fool was played in a quaintly pretty fashion by Miss Annie Mayor. The merits of the varidus other presentments scarcely demand present notice. The piece, giving scope for the whole strength of the company, served to introduce them individually and collectively to a Wellington audience, and if first impressions are not belied they will quickly grow in public favor. As a stock company Mr Darroll could scarcolly have made a better selection. The scenic effects presented last night were, exceptionally good, and some of the effects startling in their realism. To-night "King Lear" will be again presented, and also to-morrow.