THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3626, 24 February 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

_Ik. Fred. Maccabe

Mr Fred Maccabc, mimic, ventriloquist, and character impersonator, aa-lio has been delighting colonial audiences for the past eighteen months with his inimitable entertainment entitled "Begone Bull Care," Avill arrive in Napier per overland route today, and Avill open for a season of fii-o nights at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening. The Ncav Zealand Times, speaking of his sixth appearance in AVellington, Avhere his entertainments created quite a furore, says:—Mr Maccabc varied his "Begone Dull Care" entertainment on Saturday evening by the introduction of Avhat he terms a uicHoav-drama of the good old school, in AA-hich lie personates all the characters himself. He does it to perfection, trusting to his oavu skill in making rapid change of costume, and aided by the imagiiuitiA'c faculties of tlie spectators. Indeed, at the outset he frankly ha'ows that if they Avill not take a great deal for granted the illusion Avill not be complete. Like the Chorus, also, in tragedy, he relates first all that is about to happen. This he docs in his usual felicitious style, and the audience, entering into the fun of the thing, arc ready for any absurdity. The drama introduces three characters, tho A-illain, Avhose evil presence is heralded by villainous music—at least so Mr Maccabe terms it, and aA'ows that he composed it himself—the lover, gorgeous and virtuous as all lovers are, on flic stage, and the simple A'illagc maid, lovelorn and distressed, and Avho expresses her emotions more by the twinking of her feet than in her emotional language. Hidden in tho depths of the forest, or as the maiden saith, concealed there, are some minions, their positions and their sentiments being ventriloquially indicated. Mr Maccablc personates the three characters, each in appropriate costume, A - oice, aud gesture, iioav one, now the other, at times tAvo together, tho excitement culminating in his death by his own hands on the stage, and his subsequent getting up and making his exit Avhilc pulling off his wig, moustache, &c, in full adeAV of the audience. This he explains ho has to do because, as the curtain Avon't come down, he cannot be expected to lie there till the audience chooses to disperse, and, as he adds, naively, it is the only point of the performance true to life, being precisely Avhat the regular professional stage hero does beind the green curtain. This is the climax to a series of ludicrous absurdities, at Avhich the audience Avas mightily amused. Mr Maccabe also gave several other impersonations, including one of Henry Russell, aa'lio, sonic twenty-five years ago, Avas ono of the most popular entertainers iv England, and aa-hose songs for a long time held chief place in public favor, though now rarely heard. Mr Maccabe sang "I left my love in England " Avith A-cry good effect, i aAvakcning a reminiscence of Henry Russell's particular style.