PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 2875, 7 May 1872, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

The drama of “ The Heart 'of Old England” wnspresented at this place of amusement last evening for the first time. The plot piece sketched briefly is as follows : —Walter Hatherleigh, a miser, is possessed of a daughter named Grace, who has formed an attachment for one Simon Lee. They are married, and hearing of it her father is enraged and offers her the choice of leaving her husband or himself. Choosing the latter she is banished from the house, notwithstanding the entreaties of old Martin, a faithful old servant of H atherleigh’s, of 36 years standing. Leaving her father’s house Grace finds a home in that of her husband, out Squire Hatherleigh having purchased the property, drives them forth homeless. The next scene shows their house in the forest, and Simon Lee as a poacher. His wife now sadly altered endeavors to dissuade him from going forth that nighfc,.but he will only promise to make it his last excursion. He goes, and being surrounded, shoots the gamekeeper, is captured and committed for trial for murder. He is tried, convicted, and condemned to die. Whilst in prison bis wife who is with him endeavors to poison herself but is prevented by Lee, who exhorts her to live for her children’s sake. Meanwhile Hatherleigh, wo previously had gloated over the misery he had caused, is stung with remorse and horror at the deed he is committing, for the gamekeeper is not dead but wounded and concealed, to aid him in his revenge. He rushes to the sheriff and obtains a pardon just in time to save Lee from execution, and the curtain falls on the tableau. The piece, although it has rather an abrupt termination, is on the whole a good one, many parts being quite affecting, As Grace Hatherleigh and the patient, suffering, loving wife of Simon Lee, Miss Anstead was all that could be desired, while her acting throughout was deserving of the highest praise. Old Martin was personated by Mr Musgrave, and certainly it would be difficult to find fault with him in a character so eminently suited to his abilities. Mr Thorpe played Simon Lee very well, and was applauded. A great improvement is apparent of late in this gentleman’s acting, and we feel sure that if he would at times throw a little feeling into his language he would be still more successful. We were nearly forgetting Mr Hydes who, as the village dealer and politician, fairly kept the house in a roar of laughter, Mr O’Brien filled the part of Squire Hatherleigh, and Mr Booth that of the sheriff, very creditably. The entertainmentJconcluded with “Bamboozling,” in which it is needless to say Mr Hydes created immense merriment. The same programme will be repeated this even-