THE DRAMATIC SEASON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1230, 3 May 1864, Page 5

THE DRAMATIC SEASON.

The season commenced on the 9th February last, and we may congratulate both the public of Christchurch and the lessee on the result of the experiment. On the part of the former, the theatre has proved a most desirable addition to the rather limited resources of rational recreation which are to be found in the city. The inhabitants have not been backward in availing themselves of the opportunity afforded to them, both of enjoying novelties and also of having brought before them several plays familiar to them in by-gone days, and their pleasant memories and associations revived by the representation of dramas witnessed in other lands, and amid different companionships. On the other hand, Mr. Hall may well be satisfied with the attendance at the theatre, and may be assured that the people of Christchurch have justly appreciated at their true value the efforts which he has made for their amusement, and it may be added for their instruction. For it may be asserted that a theatre, properly conducted, and in which works of sterling merit are produced, and from which everything which could possibly have a tendency to corrupt or degrade the minds" of the spectators, is rigidly excluded, is a great public instructor—a sort of laypreacher. We are aware of the objections entertained by many well-meaning persons against theatrical entertainments : many arguments —some of them plausible, and even forcible enough—have been employed against them. But let the case be fairly tried. Let it rest upon its own merits. When we consider the great talent which has been devoted to the composition and the representation of dramatic works, and the power, if rightly exerted, the theatre has in elevating and refining the intellect, we must come to the conclusion that a well-regulated theatrical establishment is, on the whole, a desirable rather than a reprehensible addition to the wants of a community. It may be looked upon as a popular educator; for many persons who are prevented by want of either means or inclination from reading the works of our great dramatists, are thereby enabled and induced to supply in a way more agreeable and more perfect the defect of cultivation. The company which has played here has been far above the average, and the works of Shakespeare, Ivnowles, and Lytton have been produced in a style which would have done credit to an establishment of much larger resources, and of far more ambitious pretensions. Before entering upon a more lengthened detail of the performances, one fact may be adduced of a very gratifying nature, and one which goes far to bear out our previous argument. Since the theatre has been opened, the cases of drunkenness heard at the Police Court have been greatly diminished. Nor is this to be wondered at: if intellectual amusement is provided for the public, more objectionable haunts will be abandoned. Fill the theatre and you will empty the tap-room. In our theatre we have had represented some of the greatest productions of ancient and modern talent. *Miss Aitken has presented us with some excellent embodiments of female character, and on her has rested the burden of mainly supporting the establishment. Her Portia, Desdemona, Juliet, Ophelia, Julia, Madge Wildfire, and many others which might be cited, have made a lasting impression, and will be remembered with pleasure by all those who have enjoyed the privilege of seeing them, long after the gifted lady shall have ceased her sojourn amongst us. All her characters have been delineated with the greatest delicacy and feeling, as well as with the most perfect appreciation of the intention of the author, and the language used by him. Nor has she shown herself less effective in comedy. Her Katherine in the Taming of the Shrew was a piece of acting, which it was really a treat to witness, whilst her impersonation of Maggie, in the Bonny Fishwife, and of the Widow Rattleton, must satisfy every one of the versatility which she possesses in either walk of the drama. We must not omit to mention that she is also a well-skilled elocutionist, having given several recitations with excellent taste and great power. Miss Annie Merton has rendered the theatregood service, being a really excellent actress. She evinced great skill in many of her parts, such forinstance as the Colleen Bawn. She lias played such a variety of characters that it is almost impossible to enumerate them in a hasty review like the present. Her powers have been severely tried, for as there is a paucity of ladies in the company many parts totally dissimilar, and many of them possessing great and varied peculiarities have devolved upon her, and right well has she discharged the onerous duty. Miss Flora Ansted has greatly improved since her first appearance here. She has had many disadvantages to contend with, haviug been selected to play many parts for which she is unsuited. Mr. Newton has played the leading characters and has likewise discharged the duty of stage-manager. Be has had a very important work to do, and has on the whole acquitted himself very creditably. It is very trying for one and the same man to find himself called upon to re-produce characters so varied 1 and so exacting as those which he has undertaken. It is almost hopeless to expect that he should excel in all, and we must be content with the reflection that if he has not achieved success in them all, he has at least deserved it. Mr. Shicls has proved himself a tower of strength to the company, being excellent in almost every part he lias played. He is bc-st in comedy, as for instance in Baillie Nicol Jarvie (probably the best of his impersonations), and in the Laird of Dumbiedykes; his Falstaff', also, is a capital piece of acting. On the other hand his Polonius and Richelieu show that he is capable of higher things; in the latter character lie played most efficiently. Nor should his Shylock be passed over without a word of commendation; it is a real and graphic delineation of that facile princeps of usurers. Mr. Hall proves himself an excellent comedian, and has established himself as a public favourite. His forte is low comedy, but he has sustained very creditably some very difficult characters, as those of Banqiio, Foius, Launcelot Gobbo, &c. His by-play is capital, and the dry humour with which he enunciates the drollest sentiments never foil to tell upon the

audience. Mr. Manly deserves great praise for the manner in which lie has supported the characters allotted to him. His Hob Hoy, Mereulio, and many others rise vividly before us as we are writing; his physique and voice especially qualify him for taking those parts in which vivacity and animal spirits are niostly required. Mr. J-lowe is a careful, correct actor, almost always well up in his part, and discharges his work in a manner which evinces a thorough appreciation and a careful study of it. Messrs. Pollock, liaison, and George, have proved themselves efficient coadjutors to the rest of the company. The pieces have all been very nicely placed upon the stage. Mr. Massey has provided some beautiful scenery, and what are technically called the properties have been ' of the best taste and description. The requisite machinery used in the sensational dramas-, reflects great credit on Mr. Cooper, the machinist. Taken for all in all, and making due allowance for the difficulties incidental to and indeed almost inseparable from commencing such a laborious undertaking as that of starting a theatre in a place hitherto devoid

of such an establishment, we have every reason not only to be satisfied with, but even to be proud of the success which Ims attended the first theatrical season here. The season was brought to a close on Saturday, the 30th tilt., when Mr. Hall addressed the audience in a brief speech, in the course of which he announced that the theatre would be reopened in a fortnight from that date, and that during the interim many desirable alterations and improvements would be effected in the building.