THE NATHAN TROUPE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3057, 14 May 1867, Page 5

THE NATHAN TROUPE.

We can scarcely imagine that the Prince of Wales Theatre ever contained either a numerically larger or a more fashionable audience than that which assembled within its walla yesterday evening. The fact of the performance being under the distinguished patrenage of Major-General Chute was, in itself, sufficient guarantee of a large attendance, quite irrespective of the merits of the talented family by whom the entertainment was given, and that the joint attraction should induce such an overwhelming house as that of last night need not, therefore, surprise any one. To say that the house was full — in common parlance— would in no way express the actual fact— its elasticity being extended to the very utmost, in every portion, to afford accommodation to the large number of visitors who assembled, The appearance of the theatre, after the arrival of the gallant General and Staff, was really imposing and splendid, from the variety of colours tastefully blended by the many handsome uniforms of the officers,, contrasted with the graceful and tasteful adornment of the ladiei, the latter of whom attended in full force, cavaliered by the largest number of officers that we have ever seen collected together in the Prince of Wales Theatre on any like occasion. The programme selected for performance was first of all the popular burlesque, adapted by Mr. Small, entitled " Paddy in India, or the Happy Man." To this followed an excellently-arranged muiical and terpsichorean .melange; then came Mr. Small'i clever farce of " The Colonia\ Servant ;" whilst the whole performance concluded with the really beautiful ballet, "True Blue." Through the whole evening the repeated rounds of applause which greeted the performers were of the most enthusiastic description. Little Marion, as the Happy Man, Finnigan, and the new chum in " The Colonial Servant," literally took the house by storm— in fact, a more thorough expression of approval from a really fashionable audience could hardly be obtained in any part of the world. Selma Nathan, as the Colonial Servant, quite surpassed her previous efforts last night : the natural excitement consequent upon the presence of so large an audience evidently affected this pretty little actress, who, in company with all the others who supported her, did their very best to deserve the absolute Buccess they achieved. Mr. Small sang the "Irish Jaunting Car" capitally, and was of course enthusiastically encored, in response to which he gave his no less amuiing rendering of " Widow Maohree j" subsequently the audience were treated by the same clever performer, with the new version of " Hamlet," and then for an encore, •• The Unfortunate Man." The ballet of "True Blue" was a great •uccess, especially that portion of it which exhibited the combat between Tom True Blue (Julia Nathan), and Jiugo Jig, the black slave (Mr. Chambers). Altogether, last night's performance was one of the very best given by the Nathan Troupe since their arrival here, the consequence being unquestionably one of the biggeat successes that its members have ever yet achieved.