PRINCESS' THEATRE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 109, 29 May 1875, Page 12

PRINCESS' THEATRE.

The engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins terminated on Tuesday evening, on which occasion Mr. Hoskins took his benefit, in the character of Chrysos in the classical play of " Pygmalion and Galatea." Since their first appearance, some three weeks since, the public have had no reason to complain of the class of entertainment which has been provided, and for which the management of Mr. Hoskins is always a sufficient guarantee. The public of Dunedin are always found to bestow a liberal patronage upon artistes of ability, and it is a matter of no wonder then, that, during the season just concluded, there should have been crowded houses. On Wednesday evening the Press Dramatic Club had possession of the boards, making their bow to the audience in the somewhat difficult French drama of " Plot and PassJon." The Club since the formation, have appeared repeatedly in aid of various local funds, but on Wednesday evening the appeal was on their own behalf, the proceeds being appropriated to the purchase of a wardrobe. Whether on account of the reputation of tlie performers, a desire to assist the object for which the entertainment was given, or the pleasure of criticising the critics, we are unable to say, but be the reason what it may, the attendance was a most cheering one. The advent of the " Fourth Estate " was preceded by the sparkling little comedietta, "A Happy Pair." Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins appearing as Mr. and Mrs. Honeyton. Of this part of the programme it is unnecessary to speak, but we may here mention that both Mr. Hoskins and Miss Colville generously gave their services during the evening. The principal characters introduced in " Plot and

Passion " are Fouche, Duke of Otranto, and Napoleon's celebrated Minister of Police ; Madame de Fontages, the spy, and afterwards the destroyer of Fouche" j Henri de Neuville, an impulsive young Bourbon, who has been conspiring' against the Empire, but is saved from ruin by the devotion of Marie de Fontages j Deniarets, the subordinate of Fouche, and' by whom he is ultimately betrayed ; and the Marquis de Cevennes. The part of the Secret Minister, whose sway was so powerful under the Napoleonic regime, was undertaken by Mr. R. Henry, who, throughout the whole piece, gave a most correct rendering of the calculating and passionless chief , not only forming the proper conception of the character, but also carrying it through with an ease and self-possession not usually found in aniatevirs. As the unhappy Madame de Fontages, who has been lured into the clutches of Fouche*, Miss Colville was, as she always is, most effective, the scene with Henri, in which she impassionately declares her innocence of complicity in the intrigue against his liberty, calling forth especial marks of approbation. The very trying character of Henri de Neuville was assumed by Mr. Le Grove, and when it is remembered that itjis one which calls into play the tenderest emotions of love, and indignant bursts of scorn and passion, it must be said that he is entitled to the highest praise for the manner in which he acquitted himself. No doubt at times he was rather stilted, and inclined to disregard the necessity of proper punctuation, but while the defects were but few and trivial, the delineation of the character as a whole was highly creditable. Mr. Mitchell has been looked upon as one of the most promising members of the Club, and on former occasions has been spoken most highly of, but to ottr mind his representation of the cringing Demarets, the unscrupulous tool of the pitiless Fouche, far surpassed his efforts on other occasions, his enunciation being given with a distinctness, and his bye-play with an effect which might be copied with profit by others beside amateurs. The character of the Marquis £de Cevenne3 was entrusted to Mr. Buchanan, and although it is the only character in the drama with the slightest vein of comedy, so well did he fulfill the task allotted to him, that the contagion of his humor served to relieve in a great measure the- heaviness of the 'other characters. Jabot was undertaken by Mr. Capper, and Grisboulle by Mr. Wybtirn, but neither gentlemen can be complimented on their success, the chief merit consisting in the slight strain which was made on the abilities by the respective characters. The performance, taken as a whole, was a most successful one, and although many opinions had been expressed regarding the capacity of the Club to undertake such a trying drama as " Plot and Passion," we think it must be fairly admitted that those doubts have been set at rest since Wednesday night.