PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1735, 6 September 1875, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

MISS CARRY GEORGE AS LEAH,

That Mr. DeLias is indefatigable in his efforts to secure the best available histrionic talent for the delectation of the Auckland public, is a fact so thoroughly recognised that it is quite unnecessary to insist upon it; hat we cannot enter upon our opening notice of the new company at the Prince ot Wales Theatre without congratulating our enterprising lessee upon his latest t acquisitions. Saturday night saw the deitU before a New Zealand audience of Miss Carry George and Mr. R. W. Lawrence, two artistes of such exceptional talent as to warrrant us in hazarding the prophecy that they will at once establish themselves as special favourites. By dint of good management a happy combination was effected between these celebrities and the most shining lights of the Star Dramatic Company, a company which has been long and favourably known in Auckland, and it is not too much to say that the union has produced an agglomeration of ability such as is seldom to be found in any one theatre of the Southern hemisphere. When the play of "Leah, the Forsaken," was announced, for the inauguration of the new season, a large number of playgoers pronounced it a mistake to begin with so heavy a piece, while a larger number pronounced it a bold stroke which could only be justified by success. For ourselves we certainly did not think it a mistake, and were inclined to look upon it as a politic rather than as a hazardous move. The whole argument in Leah is eminently calculated to do away with the prejudice with which the Hebrew race haa been in past ages regarded. It is needless to say that the absurdity of that prejudice has been exemplified most fully in Auckland where many of our most useful citizens are Jews, and thus it was evident to anyone who thought over the subject that, in selecting "Leah" for their opening performance, the new Company were cheosing a play which would appeal to our popular sympathies in a very marked degree. Whether the selection was unwise, bold, or politic, there can be no question that the result has proved a magnificent success. No importance can be attached to the crowded state of the house above and below. The novelty was sufficient to explain that ■~for Aucklanders are very much like the Athenians of old in their eagerness to ses or hear some new thing—but it is another thing when a crowd of people, attracted perhaps by novelty, are led into testifying their approbation by bursts of loud enthusiasm. -This was the case on Saturday evening, and We heartily endorse the popular verdict. Misa Carry George excites our interest from the time she comes upon the stage, and guides it skilfully to a climax. Throughout the delineation she keeps steadily in view what she conceives to be (and it is an artistio and happy conception) the author's intention m the character he haß created, and she spares no pains whether in declamation, gesture, or costume, to complete the portrait, ifle play is so well known that it is not necessary to enter into the plot. We will merely allude to one or two of the salient points of the narrative. The story opens With the persecution of the Jewish maiden »y the villagers. In this Miss George winced a mobility of feature and appropriateness of action which at once showed us the wneartist. Then re came the love-scenes ? whlcll she wa: ly supported by Mr. Herv Lability of expressing we softer passj^ j beautifully demoniSSri J! weB&SELI£ hßheiß»wita aU her. ?*Monal aatipatß \ Trong upon her, she is ovJT Ore the VOV\ Nfh°se l°ve dominates thT. cI? ry otterJ-w^lnce.• Then there is sudden revulsieZ* brought about by the fS,I! CCUBation of Sreed» Allowed by the twl BOf her lover> I£ h?r lov? W4 ***» w does her hate become, till it con-

sumes her very life and strength, and reduces; her to the condition of a perfect wreck in mind and body. In both these phases of the character Miss George exhibited talent of a high order. Her energy and fearful reality in the curse scene were appalling to witness and listen to, and struck a chill of horror into the audience. But it was reserved for the concluding situations for the fair debutante to achieve her most signal triumph. For true pathos and exquisite feeling we have not seen Miss George's efforts in the scene with the child, and in the final tableau, excelled by any one, and not equalled on the Auckland stage. We can scarcely imagine anything finer than this piece of acting. It was simply superb, and carried the house by storm. A critic's eyes are seldom suffused, but we must plead guilty to a certain mistiness which annoyed, but could not be prevented, while numbers in the house were unconcealedly weeping. Miss Carry George was enthusiastically called before the curtain after each act. Of Mr R. W. Lawrence, as Rodolpb, the public opinion could not be otherwise than favorable. Without ostentation, this gentleman gave to his role an intelligent and manly rendering which recommended itself to all. He was courtly in his love, sensitive and painstricken under his fancied betrayal, and earnest in his reparation. His voice is rather heavy, but in all the other accomplishments of a sterling actor, Mr Lawrence is blessed by nature, or has perfected himself by study. Miss Emma Rogers played the part of Anna with considerable success. She is pleasing and lively. If she has not depth she has a store of amiability which stands her in good stead. Mr. G. W. Collier sustained the role of Nathan with his usual skill. Mr. Samuel Poole's Dr. Ludwig was full of humour, and he and Mr. T. Burton as Hans imported some pleasant laughter to relieve the heaviness of the piece. Both conceptions were very rich and duly appreciated. When itucb. artists as Mr. and Mrs. Searle are found playing the minor characters of Dame Groschen and. Father Lorenz, it speaks volumes for the strength of the cast. This lady and gentleman aquitted themselves well. Mr. Arthur Kingston made a good impression as Abraham. The rest of the company did all that could be expected of them. The scenery was good, and the mountings generally excellent, a fact which redounds to the credit of Mr. Collier the stage manager. The piece for to-night is the sensational drama of "Janet Pride."