PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 8716, 7 January 1892, Page 2

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

A change of programme! last night, ' Othello' being put up, with Mr Bentley as the Moor, Hja portrayal of the part roay an: eyclvemeat rathor than.a weatioi* j that f|>|o Bay, thr Impersonation in its being ojwjfht ttfkdoept antoorlty to a great extent an* bontlße his modernisations to an oooftsi(*alnghtw»|agnp of the text with new readings. Withdtttexoeption, what ia original in Mr Bentley's Othello is an improvement—markedly to his manner of speaking the defence before the Senate; and the interpretation throughout is worthy of a diligent student, and none the leas effeotive because leu clamorous than the older and oat ofdate Othelloß. In the matter of dress Mr Bentley has a new idea, his Othello being arrayed in garment! which in color and oat follow what we generally aooeptaathe fashion of the Turks ; bot we may be assured that there is ample authority for the departure in this respeot. We may say, in a word, that we were very much pleased with the plajiog of the part j and it is also satisfactory to note that the support of the company was such as to call for high praise. Mr Alderson's lago is conspicuously and consistently a capital performance one of the best among the many good lago'a that Dunedinites have seen—and this capable actor was several times singled out for a special round of applause. Miss Hansen also earned commendation by her very fine acting as Dasdemona. Her conception of the part is highly artistic beoanse essentially womanly, and we feel pleased at having at last an opportunity of discovering Miss Hansen's worth as an actress, Prior to this performance her light has been involuntarily hidden under a bushel. Miss Alice Deorwyn, cast as Emilia, was fully equal to the duty; and the same may be said of Mr Greenaway as Cassio, Mr M'Gowan as Brabantio, and Mr Holloway as the King. The minor parts were also in trustworthy hands ; and it was observed with j>y that the scenery was worthy of the occasion, instead of being, as is too frequently the oaee in Shakespearian plays, a series of dowdy and outworn apologies for scenes. The playing of Signor Squarise's orchestra was not overlooked either, the musicians' efforts being listened to with pleasure, especially when standard opera is given. ' Othello' will be repeated to-night.