AMUSING PLAYBILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMUSING PLAYBILL.

A RELIC OF THE PAST. Going to th«s theatre these days is lather a scriona business, even though it be a comedy we are going to, and it vrould be interesting to see the faces of a modern audience if they were handed a. playbill like the one reproduced below. It describes a programme presented in 1793, and reads as follows:— KILKENNY THEATRE ROYAL. BY HIS MAJESTY'S COMPANY OF COMEDIANS. The last night, because the company go tomorrow to Waterford. ON SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1793, Will be performed, by command of several • respectable people in this learned Matrapolish. for the benefit of Mr. Kearns, " THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET," Originally written and composed by the celebrated Dan Hayes, of Limerick, and insarted in Shakespeare's Works. Hamlet by \h: Keams (being his first appearance in that character), who between the acts will perform several solos on the Patent Bagpipes, which play two tunes at the same time. Ophelia by Mrs. Prior, who will introduce several fsi.vourito airs in character, particularly " The Lass of Richmond Hill" and " We'll All Be Unhappy, Together," from the Reverend Mr. Dibdin's Oddities. The- parts of the King and Queen,- by directions of tho Rev. Father O'Callaghan, will be omitted, as too immoral for any stase. Polonius, the comical politician, by * young gentleman, being his first appear' anco in public. The Ghost, the Gravedigger, and Laertes, by Mr. Sampson, the great London Comedian. The characters to be dressed 1n Roman shapes. To which will be added an Interlude, in which will be introduced several slight of hand tricks, by the celebrated surveyor Hunt. ■ . The whole to conclude with the Farce ot " MAHOMET, THE IMPOSTER." Tickets to be had of Mr. Kearns, at the " Sign of the Goat's Beard," in Castle Street. The value of the ticket, as usual, will be taken (if required) in candles, bacon, soap, butter, cheese, etc.. as Mr. Kearns wishes., in every particular, to accommodate the public. No person whatsoever will be admitted into the boxes without shoes and. stockings. ,____