PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 8720, 12 January 1892, Page 2

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

There was again a splendid attendance at the Princess's Theatre last night, when ' The Merchant of Venice' and ' The Taming of the Shrew' formed the bill of fare. In the former Mr Bentley of course took the principal role—that of Shylock—and for the reason that in Australia aod at Home encomiums of the highest order had been passed upon him for his impersonation of the part, it was the desire of a large number of Shakespearian students and others in Dunedin to witness for themselves the merits of bis performance. Judging by the applause bestowed upon Mr Bentley last night it was apparent beyond doubt that his acting was of the most satisfactory nature. This fact in itself is abundant evidence that Mr Bentley well deserved the eulogies we refer to; and having scored so heavily before a critioal Dunedin audience, i.t is not necessary for us to say mnoh in praise of his performance. It will suffice to merely remark that throughout the play Mr Bentley gave a Bingularly oharaoteristio portraiture of the Jew—a performance at' once intelligent, scholarly, and realistic and one that gained for him enthusiastic calls before the purtain on three occasions. Miss Laura Hansen, in the part of Portia, was distinctly successful. Although the lady has not so mnoh on her hands in this role as she has undertaken in other plays presented by the company, her task is nevertheless a diffioult one, and it is no idle compliment to say that Miss Hansen fills it with an ease and grace that' ,it would be hard indeed to surpass. As Nerissa, Mlsb Alice Daorwyn acted capably, and the same may be said of Miss May Thorne, who was entrusted with the part of Jesrica. Mr Alderson (Bassanio), Mr Hollo way (Antonio), and Mr Greenaway (Gratiano) filled their important parts with credit, and the remainder of' the cast was as follows:—Duke of Venice, Mr M'Gowan; Launoelot, Mr Crauford j Sqlarnio, Mr Hill; Salarino, Mr Money; Lorenzo, Mr Stevens; Tubal, Mr Lcvejoy; Grotto, Mr Carlton; and the page, Mr Foster. 'The Taming of the Shrew,' whioh oooupied, about an hour, was the afterpiece, played in, five scenes as arranged by Mr Bentley himself from the text of the 1623 folio. Mr, Bentley impersonated Petruchio in a way that left nothing to be' desired', and by the! admirable manner in whioh he brought out the humor of the oharapter he excited the heartiest merriment among the audience. Miss Deorwyn's characterisation of the fiery Catherine was also good; Mr Crauford'a admirable representation of Grumio was: laughable in the extreme; and the other parts were capably filled by other members' of the company. The same programme will be submitted to-night.

ACUIOKNTH AND FATA LI I'IKH.

A little girl four years old, a daughter of Mr John O'Brien, of Kuatunu (Auokland), was so severely burned by her clothes having oaught fire that she died, after lingering for three hours,

Miss Juliana Boyd, niece of the late Canon Boyd, of Leeds, died on Sunday at Auckland. Miss Boyd was of considerable literary repute, and was an ardent antiquarian. A man named Glenny, whilst on a vUit to a friend at Helena Bay distriot (Auokland), died suddenly on Sunday. There is no truth in the rumor that a girl was drowned at the St. Clair beaoh yesterday; but several narrow escapes were experienced, the surf being rougher than usual and with more power in the baokwash. One little fellow who got out of hie depth was rescued by a young lady; and a more serious occurrence was the misfortune which befell three ohildren Daisy, Claribel, and Irvine—belonging to the family of Mr Moore, musioian, of the North-east Valley. They were playing in and about the shallow water on the second beaoh, when, while their mother was endeavoring to light a fire, they were washed out by a big wave, and were in jeopardy till resoued by a young man named Charles Fraser, who has come from the oountry for a holiday. The younger of the children, who was unoonsoious when brought put, was carried to the house of the Rev. E. Walker, and there tended till it recovered. A few days ago (says the * Bruce Herald') a daughter of Mr James M'Guigan, of Canada Reef, was playing near a barbed wire j fence, when one of the barbs oaught her in the right eye and stuok there. The little girl struggled to get free, but the barb entered the more deeply, and she was unable to extrloate herself. It was some time before her unfortunate position was discovered, which was done by her father. He could only get her away by outting her eyelids with his knife. Dr Christie was immediately sent for. He found that the eyelids were much injured, aud partially severed, but the eye itself was unharmed. He stitched up the wound, and there is scarcely any doubt but that it will soon be healed, and the eyesight saved. Mr Edwin Wilson, son of Mr Robert Wilson, merchant, of Bond street, had an unpleasant experience yeßterday afternoon. He was driving along the Portobello road, when, Beeing an omnibus approaching, he drew to one side to allow it to pasß. Just as he was on the point of restarting, the horse, which was a very quiet animal, gave a bound from the road and jumped into the sea, carrying Mr Wilson and the vehicle along with it. The horse then kicked and got free from the trap, afterwards bolting along the road towards the City. Mr Wilson escaped without injury, and he was none the worse of his cold water bath. As the mishap occurred about the time of the earthquake, it is thought that the tremor waß the cause of the horse's fright.