PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 784, 9 November 1865, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

THE "brilliant announcement at the Princess Theatre last evening was a fitting finale to what has certainly been one of the most enjoyable entertainments ever produced in the town. We doubt if the profit to the Manager has been commensurate with the amount of amusement he has provided for the public, but the demonstration last night must have convinced Mr Mumford that the exertions of his respected helpmate and himself have been duly appreciated. The benefit was nominally for the lessee, but the fashionable attendance in which the ladies predominated, was a well-deserved compliment to the lady who has worked so hard and successfully diiring the past three months.

The front of the dress circle and private boxes was decorated with the flags of all nations, and the dright colors admirably assisted the effect of the many uniforms amongst the audience. We have no space, and it being a holiday, we have no time to enter into particulars as to the performance. In a word, the entire programme i was excellently played. At the close of | the first piece, " Time Tries All," Miss Julia Mathews was called for and led before the curtain by Mr Herbert. The Highland Fling, by an amateur, was admirably danced and encored. After that Mr Mumford was loudly called for, and he addressed the audience as follows : Ladies and Gentlemen —The compliment yo\i have paid me by so numerously attending the Theatre this evening renders my grateful acknowledgment of the many favours I have received from you a very pleasing task. It -will doubtless be in your remembrance that I undertook the sole management of this Theatre at a period of great depression, when, in fact, it was universally considered that, financially speaking, Dunedin could not support such a place of amusement. I, however, felt convinced that in a community like this, comprising so many familiar with the musical and dramatic attractions of other countries, any earnest attempt to supply a source of rational amusement would receive a fair amount of support. That a liberal support has been accorded me I gratefully acknowledge, and 1 can only regret that the exodus to the West Coast has, to a great extent, interfered with the full realization of my sanguine expectations. I hope I shall not be accused of egotism when I briefly recapitulate a few of the principal productions which have characterised my first Dramatic Campaign. Burlesque, I need hardly say, has engrossed our greatest attention ; of the ten we have produced, I may select as having been the most successful—those of "Aladdin," "II Trovatore," " Fra Diavolo," "The Pilgrim of Love," and last, but not least, the local production of '' Faust. (Applause). To counterbalance the comic element, we have had recourse to some two dozen dramas, several of which were never played on this side of the line before. The presence of a talented American actor enabled me to produce '' The Octoroon." "Rip Van Winkle," and "Our Amercan Cousin, with an effect deserving of the pieces, and of the liberal applause bestowed upon them. Comedy has occupied a fair share of our programmes, and has divided with burlesque the successes of the season. " Everybody's Friend " found a friend in every one who witnessed it ; and often, when thinking what I should produce as a novelty for your amusement, I have seen "Faces in the Fire"—(applause)—and have hoped that no ' * Black Sheep " might come to scare the " Cricket on the Hearth " from our "Swiss Cottage." "The Young Mother" has been one of our "Serious Family," and, although our company has sometimes been been compelled to assume " Masks and Faces," they have worn them to bring " Grist to the Mill." I have not referred to the "Little Treasure," although I have one in the partner of my anxieites and labors, without whose assistance I could have done nothing. Loud applause.) My thanks are also due to the artistes and employes of the theatre, each of whom has vied with the rest to promote the success of my undertaking. Our first season closes to night, but at the special request of many holiday makers, the theatre will be open to-morrow night, when the performance will comprise " The Daughter of the Regiment" and the burlesque of "La Sonnambula.' In the interval, an allegorical tableaux vivant lighted by the magnesium light, will be exhibited in honor of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The new season will commence on Monday, the 11th instant, when several novelties will be produced. I may conclude by informing you that my agent (Mr Wilmott) has succeeded in making arrangements for Lady Don's appearance in Dunedin for a limited number of nights. I trust I shall on an early date introduce her to you. With the return of that gentleman I also expect several additions to my present company. Again thanking you for your presence and support, I beg to assure you that there shall be no relaxation of my efforts to merit a continuance of your patronage." (Loud applause.) The burlesque of "The Invisible Prince'' brought to a close the final and best performance of the season.