PRINCE OF WALES THEATRDE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3399, 8 June 1868, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRDE.

Agreeably to his promise of securing all available talent, Mr. OBrien has ma<le a thoroughly good commencement towards success, by engaging Mr. C. H. Clifford, the old Auckland favourite, together with one or two of that gentleman's late company, to appear at th<> Prince of Wales Theatre. The play selected for perfoimance on Saturday night was "The Tioket-oMeave Man," which, about four years ago, sustained a run of over three hundred nights at the Olympic Theatre, London, the principal character being played by Mr. Charles Mathews. This cast was on Saturday night given to Mr. Clifford, and well did he sustain it. It is one of extreme difficulty, but Mr Clifford showed himself thoroughly matter of Ha profession, and went through with it from beginning to end moat ably. His conception of the charaoter of the unfortunate Robert Brierly was carried out to the life, and in many of the telling acenei, with which this admirable play abnundn, his acting was greeted with bursts of applause frem the it ell-filled house. The partner of the unhapny convict's misfortunes. MayEdwardMMrs. C. O'Brien)— afterwards his wife— was played with true woman's tenderness, and the touching affection subsisting between man and wife through every trial was deeply affeofcing. When the gloom was deepest then did woman's noble spirit show forth in all its strength, and the May Edwards of Mrs. OBrien was indeed the realisation of all that is good. and. at the same time, beautiful in woman's nature. The pait of Hawkshaw was admirably represented by Mr. C. OBrien, who displayed a very finished piece of acting. Mrs. Willouehby, a Becond edition of Sairey Gamp (without the bottle), was remarkably well impersonated by Mr. J. Hooper, and fairly brought down the house. Her grandson, Samivel (Madame Tournear), the naughty boy who would " smoke them 'ere nasty pipes," and who ultimately cornea out the " great swell," was remarkably sustained throughout by the lady to whom it was entrusted. Meller Mobs, the wily Jew, wan a part of extreme difficulty, but it was sustained most ably by Mr. W. Gibbs ; who, considering that it was his first appearance, certainly bids fair to become an excellent actor. Mr. J. H. Davis, as Jim Dalton, gave us a very good idea of the London housebreaker. Mr. Gunder, an Mr. Gibson, sustained the part of a London mer. rhant ; while the bußtling, active landlord of the Bridgewater Anns was well plated by Mr. Heßford. 1 he piece throughout wai a complete success : there was not a single hitch ; and at the end of the piece Mr. Clifford and Mrs OBrien were called before the curtain, and greeted with continued rounds of applause. A m«pical interlude was next given by Madame Tournear, Miss Kate Foley, and Master Johnny Foley, which was highly applauded from aU part* of the house. The performance was not over till nearly midnight. We can not conclude onr remarks without giving a just meed of praise to tbe orchestra, which, trader the leadership of Mr. Currie, greatly enhanced the evening's entertainment. "The Ticket-of-leave Man" will be repeated this eyening, followed by " Paddy in India," and a musical interlude.