HAMLET.

Daily Southern Cross, 7 November 1868, Page 5

HAMLET.

Ir « u ) l» c ja eel a hppele-s tack t-> attempt to cri ihu this iiuu.it! tal i"l»y. the comprelieuai-'n or wh c!i h interwoven with the history of the deve'opment of a man's own tniud. \\ ho is nob la-uiliai- wirti 'ts most striking passages and scenes, an.l ili»t surpa^in^ p >wer aad beauty of lan^ua^e that ndorn it? ir-un our schoolboy days we have been accustomed to repeat it, an-1 its golden phrases have been an household words to us. Who could ever tire of it, and where is the educated mind that cannot read it again and again, still expanding in the comprehension of it, and still discovmng in it uewer truths and richer beauties? In boyhood the play is a mine of wonder and mystery to us. We are horrified at tho deep wickedness of the King, our sympathies are awakened by the mournful melodies and sweet madness of Ophelia, and vre marvel at the harl unbending sternness of Hamlet towards her. We a-e puzzled why the King's doom is so long delayed, anl why Hamlnt suppresses the execution of his revenge. In that spirit of fairness which so nobly characterises the Engliih boy, we are dissatisfie i with the termination of tha plot, in which the innocent suffer alike with the guilty. As we grow older, however, we ara impressed with the indefira >Ie mystery of the play, awakening thoughts of the graud, the beautiful, and the unknown. In it* very mystery we are impressed the more wiih its beauty, and it is only by careful and repeated leading, and by the ju-tfeious education and development of the critical faculties, that we can arrive at an adequate appreciation of thi« aublime play, and the great and solemn leisons that are taught in the development of the character of Hamlet. Save the play of " Macbeth," on Thursday night, ther» ha 9 for years past been nothing on an Auckland stage to compare with "Hamlet" last night. It was well placed on the stage, and played by a powerful c&st. Splendid as is Mr. Cox's conception of tho character of Macbeth in power and completeness, perfectness of development, and all that constitutes excellence in an actor, his Hamlet U infinitely superior. The soliloquies were all delivered with impressive power and beautiful precision of elocution, and his quiet acting wan expressive in every motion and change of countenance. He was enthumsticaily applauded again and again, *nd repeatedly called before the curtain. As for Mrs. Heir's delineation of the character of the Queen, we are utterly unable to do it justice with the space at our disposal. It was a piece of acting seldom equalled in power and brilliancy in the colonies, and not often out of them. The secret remorse, the fortitude, the unquenchable maternal love, and the weakness of the guilty Queen were all pourtrayed with startling distinctness and truth to nature. She shared the honours with Mr. Cox, and received a perfect shower of bouquets at the end of the fourth act. MUs Harriett Gordon's rendering of the character of Ophelia was as gentle and womanly as it should be, and her ringing was full of sweetness and pathos. Mr. Carey made a splendid ghost, and bia delivery of that great part was solemn and impressive, while hw stature and the excellence of his ghostly habiliments made his appearance suffioientlv supernatural. Mr. Russell's acting as the King was highly creditable, though h«re and there marred by a want of perfection in the mere words of his part. Mr. Ryans Laertes was remarkably good, especially in the closing scene of the tragedy. Mr. Kemp mads the utmost of Horatio, and Mr. Towert'a Polonius, and the First Gravedigger, were full of humour. The whole play was one of the greatest successes we have ever witnessed in the way of dramatio representation. To-night Mr. Cox will again appear ai Macbeth, and on Monday the magnificent drama of "The Sea of Ice" will be produced.