AMUSEMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4062, 29 August 1870, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

For some time past it has been a general remark amongst the actors in this city that the people of Auckland had lost all interest in dramatised matters, and had devoted themselves wholly to the art of money-get-ting. Appearances may have justified such a conclusion a few months ago, but they were appearances merely, and we fear the cause lay not in the public, but rather in the stage. Hence the long experience of almost empty houses. No sooner did the lessees of tht Prince of Wales Theatre begiu to improve the class of plays, and to bring forward "stars" in the theatrical profession, than the public at once began to respond. This has now been going on steadily for some : time, night after night the audience being I larger. Last Saturday evening the theatre was was comfortably filled in all parts. The piece produced was the well-known drama of " East Lynne." The plot of the drama must be known to most of our readers, having been repeatedly produced here within the last two years. Miss Bowring, of course, sustained the part 3 of Lady Isabel and | Madame Vine. These characters were ably sustained, tlieie being a total absence of that "stagmess" in the rendering of the same characfceis to which wo have been treated by actresses who formerly played ifc. In the character of Madame Yme, when attending upon her own child on his cbath-bed, there was a complete absence of that forced feeling which we have remarked in other acfcre&ses : all was natural and life-like ; and the remonstrance with Joyce, when reproved by her for disclosing her true character, was a piece of splendid acting. But it was reserved for the last scene— when she herself is laid upon her deathbed, and her husband visits and recognizes her — for her to thoroughly enchain the audience. During this scene perfect silence reigned with the audience : scarcely a breathing was heard, as she slowly recounted her former false seep and implored her husband's forgiveness. It was some time after the curtain fell that the audience recovered from their surprise, and realised that what they had seen was but stage-acting, when there came such an ovation as the Prince of Wales Theatre has seldom been the scene of. Misss Bowring appeared, accompanied ' by Mr. Steele, and gracefully bowed before the audience, which was but the signal for another burst of applause. Mr. Steele was Archibald Carlyle ; Mr. S. OBrien, the wicked deceiver, Sir Francis Levison ; and Mrs, H. Jackson made a splendid Barbara Hare. "Hunting a Turtle" was the concluding piece. — To night will be produced '•Leah, tho Forsaken." At the Theatre Royal there was but a small attendance, and that attendance chiefly had their seats in the pit. " The Burning Shi])," and "Dred, or the Dismal Swamp," ■w ci o the picoej produced, Whilst referring to the performances at this theatre wo cannot help cxpies^ing dissent from ths eulogiama of a couteraporaiy. Whilst admitting that there 'are some excellent burlesque actors at the Theatre Royal, we may yet take a decided exception to tho very questionable double - entendres and gestures which are frequently practised ; and wo give the management fair warning that, if this kind of thing be continued, we shall take an early opportunity of characterising them as they deserve. Meantime we hope this hint will be sufficient. At the New City Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Woodrolfe gave their last performance on this occasion in Auckland. The hall was crowded, there being not fewer than 600 persons present. The performance was of the usual kind, but immediately before the distribution of the prizes Mr. "Woodroffe took the large beam engine to pieces before the audience in the short space of fifteen minutes. We understand that these talented artists proceed from here to the Thames. As their stay continued here, the interest in their nightly exhibitions seemed to increase. In these exhibitions there is nothing to object to by the most fastidious ; and wherever genuine intellectual enjoyment is loved, or practical knowledge sought after in their peculiar line, these artists will always be welcomed. To witness the two steamengines made of glass at work, apart from the other parts of the exhibition, and the intrinsic value of the presents nightly distributed, are alone worth the entrancemoney charged.