AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 108, 22 May 1875, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

Peidat "night last being the opening night of the Fakir of Oolu, fcliere was a marked falling off in the attendance at the Princess Theatre. TMs was the more to be regretted, inasmuch as the programme was one of more than ordinary excellence, consisting of "Woodcock's Little Game," and the " Critic," in both of which Mr. and Mrs. Hoskius took the leading characters. On Saturday evening, Dion Boucicault's sensational drama of "Formosa" was produced, and it i 3 rarely the rather circumscribed limits of the theatre are made to accommodate such numbers as assembled on Saturday night. Every part of the house was crowded to more than inconvenience, the audience being both appreciative and demonstrative. " Formosa," like moat of Boucicault's dramas, though faithfully portraying every-day life, abounds in striking and sensational situations, racy dialogue, and allows good scope for tie scenic artist. The principal characters introduced are Major Jorum, a man about town; Compton Ken*, an accomplished scoundrel ; Formosa, Mr. and Mrs. Bowker, Tom Boroughs ; and Bob Sanders. The first-named character waß tindertaken by Mr. Hoskins, who, as the blase '• man about town," who could not afford to go into debt because no one would trust him, was simply inimitable, Ms make-up, and bye-play being a study in itself. Miss Colville enacted the part of the repentant Formosa, and sustained the character with her usual ability. As the good-hearted waterman, Mr. Musgrave both looked and acted the character to life, while as his better-half, Mrs. Stoneham deserves the greatest praise. Mrs. Stonehamis always effective, but she was more than ordinarily so on Saturday night. Of late Mr. Keogh has not been overburdened witli laudation, but to pass over Ins representation of Bob Sanders would be a manifest injustice. There are some characters in which Mr. Keogh excels, and we question if there could be many found who could siistain the character in which he appeared in this play with greater advantage. Mr. Booth was the hero, Tom Boroughs, and although we believe not originally cast for the character, he is to be congratulated xipon Ms reading of the part, the Tom Boroughs of Mr. Booth being what the author intended ho should be — wild and impulsive, yeb with a heart xmcorrupled and an honour unsullied. ( The insignificant part of Spooner, a half-witted, but good-natured sprig of the aristocracy, fell to the lot of Mr. Austin Power, and that he made as much of the character as was possible the repeated applause should testify. During the evening he, in conjunction with Miss Colville, was honoured with a call. It is somewhat strange that a gentleman, possessing undoubted ability, should be so seldom allotted other than subsidiary parts, as on each occasion of his being entrusted with those of importance, he proved equal to the occasion. On Monday evening His Excellency the Governor bestowed his patronage, and on that occasion " The Jealous Wife," and " The Serious Family " were reproduced. Owing, however, to the combined causes of a wet evening, and the indignation meeting of citizens in the Temperance Hall, the attendance was far from good. Both pieces have been presented so recently that it is unnecessary to criticise it, but we may say that those present seemed to thoroughly enjoy their eccentricities, a feeling which His Excellency and Lady Normauby appeared heartily bo share. The Queen's Theatre has been occupied during the -week by the Fakir of Oolu, who combines in his entertainment the usual feats of sleight of hand, with other attractions which are ne-w to a Dunodin audience. Principal amongst these is a prismatic fountain, which, by the skilful arrangement of lime lights, assumes a fairy appearance in the diversity and beauty of its variations, Another feature is the suspension of the entranced lady, and although alike performance was exhibited by Madame Cora, the number and picturesquerers of the positions assumed are not to be compared to the entertainment at the Queen's.