PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 8718, 9 January 1892, Page 2

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

A large audience assembled last night to witness the first production of ' Dmd Garrick,' a standard play that is net quite bo well known in Dunedin as it deserves to be. Old playgoers, however, know the piece well, and appreciate it. The story is of a suppositious incident in the life of Garrick. Simon Ingot, an alderman of the City of London and a director of the East India Company, sends for Garrick and offers to double his income on condition that he leaveß England, the reason for the request being that his (Ingot's) daughter Ada has fallen in love with Garrick instead of accepting ber father's selection for a husband. The actor laughs to scorn the rich man's proposal, but promises to cure Ada of her infatuation, explaining at the same time that he can do this with perfect freedom since his heart is already given to a youDg lady whom he has seen at the theatre, and who among all present seemed to be the only one to appreciate his playing. Garrick further promises to wed no lady excepting with the consent of her father. It is agi eed thatGarrick is to bo invited to dine at Ingot's, lie goes, and there meets Ada, in whom he recognises the adored incognita, but, true to his promise, he proceeds to disenchant and indeed to disgust the lady by simulating drunkenness. This ia done with such effect that Ada at length orders him out of the house. Ia the long run, however, Ingot discovers the sterling qualities of the actor, and cheerfully consents to his marriage with Ada. This scrappy outline of the story will suffice to recall the play to some of our readers, and perchance interest others who have never seen it, and induce them to go and see what we accept without hesitation as a very fine performance. Mr Bentley himself assumed the part of Divid Garrick, and delighted his audience beyond measure. His aoting in the first interview with Ingot was an especial treat, the courtly dignity of manner and speech which was the fashion of the period being affeoted with such ease that this Garrick, with his brave appointments and elegant behaviour, might have passed for one of the old chevaliers come to life again; and the audience were equally pleased with his artistic acting in the great scene wherein he feigns tipsiness, while at the same time tearing his very heart-strings at being thus compelled by his parole of honor to produce aversion towards himself in the breast of the lady whose esteem he is most anxious to win. And, further, those in front noted the telling effect of good acting in the closing scene, in which Garrick counsels Ada to study not his nor her wishes, but the dictates of obedience to and reverence for her father. The representation was effective in outline and well-nigh complete in detail, and we fear no criticism from those who weie present in asserting that Mr Bentley's impersonation was one in which no improvement could be suggested, save in one Bmall matter of slight importance—the inevitable spot on the sun—viz., that 'Father, come home with me now,' one of the songs which this Garrick hums in his assumed intoxication, might be supplanted by a melody of earlier date. A kindred objection may also be taken to one of the remarks of Dick Chivey, "Au reservoir" being a gag of somewhat later time than the period of knee breeches, This was the only fault that we noticed in Mr Crauford's aoting—this, and the other subordinate parts in the play, being, on the whole, excellently maintained. Foremost among these was the Ada of Miss Laura Hansen, which we take leave to think was remarkably clever, and we have no doubt that Mr Bentley himself would gladly acknowledge that the success of the performance was in a great degree due to this young lady's efforts. Mr M'Gowan's Ingot was played in a careful manner worthy of the veteran, and the minor parts, represented by Miss Deorwyn, Mias Thome, Miss Holbrook, and Messrs Hill, Holloway, and Greenaway left little to be desired, the only suggestion we feel called upon to «*ke being that Mr Hill Bhould either drop toe Sootoh or learn it thoroughly. The night's, entertainment was brought to a oloae with the amusing comedietta of < Oramond Brig,' in which Mr Bentley appeared as Jock Howieson, with Misses Harse'n and Deorwyn and Mr Alderson to help him. The performance will be repeated to-night.