PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1625, 30 April 1875, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

MR. AND MRS. CASE,

These accomplished artistes opened a short se ison at the Prince of Wales Theatre last night. It is nine years since they last made their bow before an Auckland audience, but the crowded state of the house above and below shewed that they have not been forgotten. Their entertainment, which is called " Latest Intelligence from at Home and Abroad," is one of those charming medleys with which Mr and Mis Jno. Parry so long delighted the citizens of London. Both Mr Case and his vivacious wife (more generally known by her maiden name of Grace Egerton) have in an eminent degree the versatile talents necessary for this species of mirthprovoking amusement. Mrs Case appears in a series of the most opposite characters. She adopts her various disguises with extraordinary rapidity, and throws herself into the spirit and eccentricities of one after another oddity till she fairiy convulses her audience. Mr Case, like Mr John Parry, is an admirable musician, whether with the piano, the violin, or the English concertina, he is always good. His performance of the accompaniments on the keyboard was of a most artistic character. On the violin he played several fantasias and comic solos of a very difficult character ia a manner which shewedhim perfect master of the instrument. But certainly hia most wonderful achievements are with that much abused instrument, the concertina. Why have country bumpkins stolen the good name of the Knglish concertina? We had always looked upon it as just a shade better or rather less excruciating than the German accordion. Bat last night for the first time our eyes, or rather our ears, were opened. The effect produced by Mr. Oase in his concertina solos must be witnessed to be believed. His imitation of the Scotch bagpipes was really wonderful. If the instrument and performer had been ati-nding before our eyes we should have been deqeived by the correct resemblance. The performance of last night was embodied into a consistent whole by a pretty design, which also imparted to it an additional charm. ■ Mr Case is supposed to J have sought a short rest from his professional duties in a hotel at Boulogne. While there he is persistently annoyed by visits from Mrs Peregrine Prattleton, a r gentleman whose omniscient powers are equalled by his talking, capabilities ; by M. Vatel Soyer, a Frehch cook j by Madame Chovette, a ruffled old lady; by Mrs; Farrett, a counterpart of ■ Paul Pry ; by Miss Warbler, who is in love with the Opera ; by Mrs Botherby. as deaf as a post; by Lollette, a French soubrette; by a Broadway Belle ; by. a. Wizard rfroaa the East;-by Mr Sims Reeves by Jeremiah . ;Brush, t ,a, persistent barber. "All of these characters it fy-OMdZtM.^. ; «^«r£,taken ] by ) %a i €asc r

How she adapts her appearance and voice to their different; characteristics is a mystery, but she does^ and moreover does it to perfection. JVhen the whole range is gone through she discovers herself to'her husband, and there is the usual finish by an appeal t© the audience for a continuation of their support. The whole thing was very finished, and we predict that the season will be a successful one. The same programme is to be repeated to-night.