PRINCESS THEATRE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 105, 1 May 1875, Page 14

PRINCESS THEATRE.

The engagement of Miss Howard came to a close on Saturday evening last, on -which occasion the dramatised version of Dickens's "Oliver Twist" was produced. Notwithstanding the fact that all tlie great novelists writings were written with a laudable purpose in view, each one aiming at some reform to be accomplished, it must be confessed that its representation on the stage is scarcelycalculated to have the same effect. The scenes of crime and misery, so graphically portrayed in the novel, are put before the mind of the reader in a manner to warn and deter by their example, but, strange as it may appear, the result is the reverse when placed befovs the public in a dramatised form, and this is even the greater, just as the merits of representation are recognised. Many of the scenes in " Oliver Twist " are of a nature the realities of which there would be found but few who would care to look upon, and, although in the work of adaptation for the stage, they could scarcely be omitted, yet it will be admitted such a course would call for little regret. The character of Nancy was undertaken by Miss Howard, and, although totally different from those assumed during her three weeks' engagement, she proved that in all the walks of her profession — whether as the accomplished lady or the lowly daughter of poverty and misery — she was mistress of its minutset details. Indeed, in some of the "scenes" with ■which the piece abounds, her delineations were most uncomfortably natural. Mr. Steele appeared as Bill Sykes, but we think the stage manager was at fault in thus casting the piece, the heavy ruffian not being one of that gentleman's specialties, and we are quite sure a more fitting representative could be obtained with little trouble. One of the principal characters in the drama is the Artful Dodger, a part sustained by Mr. Power with great success. In such characters Mr. Power will be found a most valuable acquisition, his acting on Saturday night stamping him as a low comedian of no mean merit. On Monday night Mr. Hoskins and Miss Colville re-apj)eared after a lengthened absence. The greeting they received must have "been very gratifying indeed. In response, Mr. Hoskins returned thanks;on the part of himself and Miss Colville, stating — of course — that in all his travels and absence the Dunedinites had never been forgotten by him. The pieces chosen on the first night of their apaperance were "The Jealous Wife" and " The Serious Family," in "both of which they appeared. The two pieces are as well known to the public as the lady and. gentleman whom we have just mentioned ; and, such being the case, but little need be said with regard to the personation of the principal characters. In " The Jealous Wife " the entire burden is thrown on the shoulders of Mr. and Mrs. Oakley, all the other characters being merely subsidiary 5 and, as the loving yet suspicious spouse, Miss Colville evoked much laughter and applause. Mrs. Stoneham, as Lady Freelove, the heartless woman of the world, is deserving of special mention, as also is Mr. Musgrave for his personation of Major Oakley. Mr. Keogh had but little to do in the part 'of Mr. Russet, but he made as much of the character as was possible. " The Serious Family " has been played more than once recently in the same theatre, and it may be safely said that its representation on Monday night did

not suffer by comparison. The Aminadab Sleek of Mr. Hoskins waß a magnificent piece of acting, the make-up of the canting hypocrite being perfect. It is in such pieces as Sleek and Affable Hawk that Mr. Hoskins stands without an equal in the colonies, and, indeed, in the latter character he is no mean rival of Charles Matthews himself. As the dashing volatile, yet good-hearted widow, Miss Colville appeared to advantage. In her representation of the character she appeared to so thoroughly identify herself with the part sustained, as to share with the audience the amusement and merriment occasioned by the absurdities of the various situations. As Captain Murphy Maguire, Mr. Steele appeared to decided advantage, the character being sustained with a spirit and dash, the lack of which is the only drawback to Mr. Steele's at all times otherwise excellent acting. It is but fair fo^ state, however, that of late this cannot be said of his impersonations, and he has amply proved that when occasion requires he can rid himself of the seeming listlessness to which we have before referred. Mr. Launcelot Booth, another addition to the company, also made his re-appearance on Monday night, and in the character of Charles Torrens, in " The Serious Family," gave evidence of considerable ability. As Lady Creamly, Mrs. Stoneham sustained the character to lif e, and received the most enthusiastic and deserved call before the curtain. In a certain round of characters Mrs. Stoneham has no rival, and we were pleased to see the merits of so deserved and painstaking an actress meet with recognition. ' On Tuesday evening the brilliant five act comedy of " The Love Chase" was placed upon the boards, in which Mr. Hoskins and Miss Colville appeared in their highly successful characters of Master Wildrake and Constance Fondlove. They were ably supported by Mrs. Stoneham and Mr. Musgrave, whose performances called for the hearty bursts of applause, and kept the audience in a continual state of merriment. The other characters in the piece were well represented, and kft little to couiplain of. The conjugal lesson of " The Happy Pair " formed the after-piece, and certainly met with great favor at the hands of the audience. Miss Colville acted charmingly as Mrs. Honeyton, while Mr. Hoskins as Mr. Honeyton displayed an amount of humour which was deservedly appreciated by the large house which stayed to witness it.