PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 895, 26 September 1866, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

We incur some risk of becoming so familiarized with first class amateur performances, that we shall return to severer rules of professional histrionics with coldness. We have become accustomed to brilliant things of late, and last night furnished another inetalinent to the experience we had obtained already that the service are as devoted " on the boards " as they are on wooden walls, in the midst of inimitable salt water. Last evening the officers and men of the Australian Squadron gave a performance at the theatre, which was not merely excellent, but had a variety of merit which could not bo looked for from more artistically trainod performance*, perhaps not in any other plaoe or any other circumstances. The occasion was announced to be in aid of a fund for the erection of a monument to the memory of tho oflleerj and men of the Kuyol Navy who have fallen in the Into New Zealand War. We trust that no person will be so cynical as to inquire how fur the means \vi;re appropriate to the object in view. There could be but one feeling uppermost on such aa occasion, and that was the memory of those who were companions in arms, when they looked their beet, contributing to each other's entertainment as loyally as they met their fiito in ra-je of battle. Men—such good men and truo—must havo been remwuiberod laat night when the laugh w;is loude3t and tho success most triumphant. The piece selected was the pretty comody entitled " the Jacobito," tho principal roles being sustained by Mr. T. tjutton (Sir Riclvira Wroughton), Mr. George Wittey (Bdward Murray, the Jacobite), Mr. d. Hill (John Duck), M>. 3. Hamilton (Lady Sommerfordj, Mr. J. Granger (Widow Pottle), Mr. ~H. Rogers (Patty Pottle). Tho piece was exceedingly well played, and at the conclusion the actors were greeted with unanimous applause. This was followed by a piece entitled " A Frolio of Fortune," which, we suspect, if not original last night, hag been brought by those who represented the dramatist per some. Its effects! go to make up the very broadest fun imaginable. The plot tends to exhibit the gaucheries of clown suddenly acceding to a lordship. Hobin, the hero, was impersonated by Mr. I). Young, and making allowance for the very eioos* of abandon and drollery which it exhibited, was in the main a first-rate performance. I r carried the audienco in sustained hilarity from be«inniug to end- It would be an improvement if somehow the olown could bo changed into something externally passable bofore the curtain drops. Mr. B. Dickenson played the part of a grasping old steward with admirable effect and in capital makeup. Nancy Snack was played by Mr. S. Hamilton, and we have rarely eeou so good a representative of the guntler sex out of trousers and in petticoats. The young gentleman waa certuinly one of the largest contributors to the general result. Margery (Mr. J. Granger) was another good representation of the irascible materfainilias, while Dolly (Mr. 11. Rogers) was smirking and gushing, Wo think, however, that more attention might have been paid to the details—that is, the outline of the crinoline, &o. But a performance of really great merit (whether considered as amateur or otherwise) was the rendering of the famous baroque "Medea." The most versatile nctor of modern times made his reputation in this very piecs. Almost everybody must have seen it played, and we confess wo, never folt more genuine pleasure ii- witnessing its reproduction than we did last night. The parts were as follow:—Oreon (air. T. T. Andrewartha), Jason (Mr , . T. Cape), Orpheus (Mr. TV. "VYiJGiiian), a Corinthian, (Mr. C. E. Qrissell), Lycaon and Me'anthe (Two Sucking Nelsons), Creansa (Mr. T, Chowno), Sarah (Mr. 0. Bell), and facile princeps —Mr. Harwood, as Medea; The whole affair, in oostainc, Iα eeonery in grouping, in point and ooinpleteneaa, was an unequivocal Bucoess. There is only oue thing we would desire, and that is another representation before the gentlemen to whom public entertainment and charity owe bo muoh shall leave these shorec. Ljt H be for the more complete fllment of the object," if they will, there could riot bo one which would tend more to make their own names or those of their fallon comrades, rinrc gratefully remeihb'red by the people of these One feels the force' of the beautiful passage in Woruaworth;^ " An unelaborate stone May cover him : and by its help, perchance, A century shall hear his name pronounced, With images attendant on the sound ; Then shall the slowly guttering twilight close In utter night."—-—!-' We have never seen a more crowded, enthusiastic, or fashionablo audienoe within the walls of our local theatre.