PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 78, 8 April 1870, Page 2

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

AUCKLAND GARRICK CLUB,

The first performance of the Auckland G-arrick Club, last night, may honestly be pronounced a most unqualified success. Not a single hitch marred an excellent programme. Every one was perfect in the language, and seemed imbued with the spirit of the character they had to sustain. The prologue, spoken by Mr. W. H. Newton, the director of the club, was well written, by a well-known member of the Fourth Estate, and was well received. The comedy was excellently played, and the burlesque, with its local songs and allusions, was not a whit less successful.

The club ought to be grateful to Mrs. W. H. Newton for her valuable services — she seemed to create confidence among its members, and was the mainstay of both pieces j nor must we forget Miss Maggie Burton, who played Fanny with, much archness. The interlude was -well and tastefully varied. Mrs. W. H. Newton sang " Erin my country" splendidly, and, being rapturously encored, sang Lover's " Barney O'Hea." Mr. Newton's reading of the " Charge of the Light Brigade" was ably done, and much appreciated. Mr. Glover danced excellently, and his costudie was superb. "We are sorry that the claymore relied from its place through being placed on one of the traps, aud so disturbed tho success of his sword dance. Miss Burton wa3 encored in the beautiful ballad, " There is a flower that bloometh," and sang with great taste, "Thou art so near and yet so far." Captain Beveridge, whose name has been often before the public for bravery in rescuing people from drowning, appeared in a new character, and in first-rate style, recited Burns' " Tarn o' Shanter." It is rather too long for a mixed audience, but its admirers were many, and the applause was frequent. We cannot close this notice without reminding those individuals who are so fond of cat-calling, &c, when an amateur seems to be in error, that not only do they show bad taste —it may, perhaps, be jealousy intended —but deserve to be ejected from the theatre ; and we hope that the audible remarks from a certain class that frequent the stalls of the theatre will be stopped whether a song or play is being proceeded with, as they are becoming an intolerable nuisance. We trust the management will not overlook these suggestions.

Mr. W. H. ]S rewton deserves every credit for the efficiency and the excellent manner in which the pieces were placed on the stnge for the Club, and we hope soon to be able to chronicle another appearance.