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Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1933, 16 October 1874, Page 2

Newspaper criticism of theatrical performances will soon become impossible, except under conditions which make public comments in them valueless. The example of sueing newspapers by theatrical managers for unfavorable notices was set some time ago in Melbourne, and now it has been followed in New Zealand. Some time ago the "Tribune," an evening journal in Wellington, passed an unfavorable criticism upon the performances of the Steele-Keogh company. The language used was certainly somewhat strong, but it has not been denied that to a very large extent it was justified. A particular performance was stigmatised as improper, and the performers were accused of incompetency. For this the two managers brought an action against the proprietor of the paper, and, as our telegrams inform us, they have secured damages in each case. The ,£4O damages awarded, of course, does not represent probably a tenth part of the cost of an indiscreet, but probably conscientious, theatrical paragraph. For the future no doubt public performers will expect nothing bat fullsome adulation — of which there is already far too much .in the newspapers — and the public will have to depend on their own resources as to whether a particular performance is or is not worth attending. Perhaps the wisest plan to adopt would be to abstain from theatrical criticisms altogether, and let the managers trumpet their own fame after the manner of the Quacks with regard to their nostrums.