Amusements.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 362, 18 January 1879, Page 16

Amusements.

MR. RLGNOLD’S BENEFIT. Mr. Rignold scored another complete and undoubted triumph at the Imperial Opera House on Wednesday. It was the occasion of the talented actor’s farewell benefit, and the crowd of admirers who rallied round him must have convinced Mr. Rignold that the people of Wellington' «*m discriminate between a good and a bad article. In Mr. Rignold they have found an actor of rare histrionic powers—indeed, the most pleasing exponent of toe drama that has ever travelled this way—and the fact that the spacious auditorium was crowded in every port, and that the enthusiasm was unbounded throughout an unusually long performance, was a clear proof that Mr. Rignold has obtained a firm and las .ing hold ou the sympathies of the pub ic. Appreciation could not be more strongly pronounced, and go where lie may his visit to this city must ever form one of the most pleasing reminiscences in a career which promises such genuinely successful results. Mr. Rignold was not to be outdone in generosity, and we presume it was by way of return for the liberal patronage which the public have bestowed on the performances at this place of amusement duriug the present season, that so full and attractive a bill of fare was placed before them on the occasion of his benefit. The programme was such as to enable the audience to see Mr. Riguold in two parts on the same evening so diametrically opposed to each other as to convince everyone of the versatility of his powers. This had been already shown by the contrast between, such parts as “ Henry V.” and “ Amos Clarke,” but not nearly in eo marked a degree as was afforded by the assumption of Colonel Challice, and immediately afterwards of William in that ever popular nautical drama of Douglas Jerrold’s, “ Black-Eyed Susan.” In each he acquitted himself to the utmost satisfaction of his audience, whom he carried most completely with him from first to last. The curtain rose to a piece entitled “ Alone,” written by Messrs. Herman Merivale and Palgrave Simpson. Mr. Rignold played with enormous success in this piece when it was first produced in London, aud it hold possession of the stage for no fewer than 150 nights at the Court Theatre. The plot of this comedy-drama (a name which beat describes it) illustrates the baneful re3ul 8 of the schemes of that most detestable and detested wretch in creation—the anonymous letter writer. A Colonel Challice has a pretty daughter, Margaret, domiciled at a boarding school. She h is a bosom friend in a schoolmate, Harriet Norton. Captain Bertie makes the acquaintance of the girls, and falls incontinently, but honorably, in love with Margaret, and in his turn is secretly loved by Harriet Norton, who writes an anonymous letter to Colonel Chalice, stating that Margaret has grossly misconducted herself with Bertie. At the same time she writes two other letters —the first, as if from Margaret, to Captain Cameron, telling him to have a carriage in readiness at the school at a certain time ; and the othrr to Margaret, as if from her father, tolling her to return home at once, as he was very ill. Margaret goes aivay ?u the carriage to find only Captain Cameron. The colonel arrives in hot haste, only to discover his daughter gone, and in his mad rage he curses and discards her; while the innocent girl, with a lost reputation, hates Bertie, the supposed delinquent, with a deep hatred. The co onel retires to a small country seat and beoomes blind, and ia surrounded by people who have designs on his money, wheu poor Margaret secretly returns to her blind father as Maud Trevor, a reader, and finds her way to his heart again. The play then shows the little intrigues of those inteidsted to spoil the intimacy between the colonel anil Maud, the subsequent discovery of t&ajincjxnsciouß share which Bertie Cameron kfoThacTTn the wretched business, the raVelation/of Margaret’s identity to the colon elyto whpm full explanations are made, and whef —is restored to sight. It is understood that Bertie and Margaret are to be married; they receive the colonel’s blessing-, and the denouement is one of happiness to almost everybody concerned. “ Alone” is one of the few pieces of the present day depend iug for public approval more upon its real literary merits than upon such extraneous aids as stage mechanism and scenery. It is so singularly devoid of either that the one stage setting answers every purpose, and the drama, though divided into three acts, but performed o« Thursday in two and a couple of tableaux, might be presented in one act if it were so determined. “ Alone” is very smartly written; the language throughout is good, and the sarcasm biting aud incisive. A current of pathos runs side by side with a flo w of comedy, and the latter never obtrudes itself to that degree to spoil the effect of the former. This is a characteristic which very few modern dramas possess, and in this particular instance the blending of the two qualities of pathos and light comedy results in a most delightful combination. In this manner, while one moment the audience may be almost moved to tears, they are the very next convulsed with laughter by the light comedy touches of Stratton Strawles, aud what in art is termed the light and shade of a picture are shown touumistakeable advantage as the action of the drama proceeds. As Colonel Challice, Mr. Rignold was so far successful as to entirely divest himself of his individuality. He not only looked the retired colonel, but acted in his usual natural style throughout. Where the general result was so good, it would be difficult to say where success was most conspicuous, but if a distinction can be made, it may be stated that in those scenes where. ragwas the passion to be depicted, Mr. Rignold was thoroughly realistic. Miss Jennie Watt would become a great favorite in Wellington if her stay were prolonged, ami the opportunity w»3 afforded her of appearing in such parts as those she has ho creditably filled in “Henry V.,” “Arnos Clarke,” and again in “Alone”

last evening. She has a most pleasing appearance on the stage, a most agreeable voice, and a keen perception of the characters she is entrusted with. As Mrs. Thornton the made a <rreafc lilt. Her impersonation was a most graceful performance, and she captivated the good opinion of the audience by the piquancy she evinced in those scenes particularly where she exchanged pleasantries with Dr. Wickiethwaite. Mr. A. Elliott acted capitally as Stratton Strawles. He convulsed the audience in the part, and the manner in which he delivered a favorite expletive was sufficient in itself to provoke roars of laughter. This was decidedly one of the best acted parts in the piece, and no praise could be too flattering to Mr. Ellis. Miss Anuie Major, considering her stage experience, got through the part of Maud Trevor wonderfully well, especially in the scene wh-re she reads to the colonel from “ King Lear.” Mr. H. H. Vincent took the part of the Doctor with infinite credit, and as Bertie Cameron Mr. Hooper played the lover moderately well. At the end of the piece, Mr Kiguol.l, ‘Miss Watt, MBs Major, and Mr Ellis were called before the curtain and rapturously applaueed. “ Black-Eyed Susan” was conspicuous for Mr. Rignold’s very happy assumption of the part of William, ami for Miss Novaro’s acting as the heroine. The benefi:iairc rendered the dance scene more natural still by himself playing the hornpipe on the violi , and afterwards dancing to the same tune, played by the leader of the orchestra. We have seldom known an evening’s entertainment in this city to have given such unqualified satisfaction, and the audience testified their delight by frequent aud hearty expressions of approbation.

Thursday night’s repetition of “ Alone” and “ Black-Eyed Susan” brought to a close erne of the most successful dramatic seasons witM» the recollection of Wellington playgoers—successful not only as regards the high quality of the performances which they have had the rare privilege to witness, but we are glad to add in a pecuniary sense as well. This very satisfactory result is of course mainly attributable to tb • admirable acting of Mr. Rignold in every character he has assumed ; bun there are tnauy members of the company who can justly take credit to themselves for leading a powerful helping hand iu the accomplishment of all that has been done since the inauguration of the season. Mr Darrell’s managem nt has been in all respects characteristic of him, and the monetary success that has attended his exceedingly ri>ky and costly undertaking is, we sincerely trust, but an avant govt. of what awaits him in the other cities of New Zealand, to which Messrs. Rignold and Darrell, and the powerful company which surrounds the n, intend to transport themselves during the interval which is to ensue between their departure and their return to Wellington. The efforts of Messrs. Rignold and Darrell haw been ably seconded by their respective agents— Messrs. Macdonald and Edwards—and the stage hands have also joined in the esprit de fx>rps that has prevailed from the commencement to the close of the season. Although the fact has never before been mentioned, the orchestra (under Mr. Spider’s leadership) deserves a word of praise for the music they nightly discoursed, not only that incidental to the pieces, which w s invariably well played, but likewise the selections between the act 3, which were generally of so pleasing a kind as to render the “ waits” a great deal less tiresome than they generally are. The points which were referred to in yesterday’s notice of “ Alone” were made ibe most of in the second representation of this excellent comedy-drama, and the honors of the evening weie shared in almost equally by Mr. Rignold, MBs Jennie VYatt, Miss Annie Major, Mr. Vincent, aud Mr. A. Elliot, who was perfectly irresistible in the part of Stratton Strawles. His reading of the manuscript in the final act, and his running commentary upon it, kept the audience in an almost continual roar of laughter. Mr. Elliot’s handling of the part will not readily be forgotten by those who have witnessed it, and it will not surprise us to hear of this gentleman, making a big name in the profession some day or other. The same ob-ervation applies with equal force to Miss Jennie VYatt, who made a capital impres-iui as Mrs. Thornton. Her vivacity was in most perfect keeping with the author’s creation, and the applause accorded to htr c mid not have been more enthusiastic. To the very last her piquancy never deserted her, and the sarcastic exchanges with VVicklewbaite were conveyed with betwitchiiig archness, including that parting Rhot at her ardent admirer, when, in accepting the doctor’s hand, she declares she lias taken her physic, and excuses herself somewhat after the fashion of Mrs. Toodles, by remarking «• that to a person <>f her delicate health, what a comfort it will be to have her medical adviser near her.” “ lilack-Eyed Susan” went as well as it did on the previous evening, and Mr: Rignold was loudly applauded for the manner in ° which he acquitted himself as William. After the fall of tiie curtain at the end of the first piece, Miss Jennie Watt, Miss Major, Mr. ’Vincent, Mr. Elliot, aud lastly Mr. Riguold, were called before the curtain, and each in his or her turn was greeted with the mast rapturous applause. Mr. Rignold, when silence was restored, said that as this was the last night of the season, he thought it would not be mal ct propc/s on his part to say a few words. He was gratified beyond expression at the reception he had met with ir* Wellington. During the season it had been his good fortune to play to large, courteous, and intellectual audiences, who had invariably treated him with the utmost kindness. For this he begged most heartily to thank them, and he a’so wished to express his acknowledgments to the representatives of the Press, for the able manner in which they had criticised the performances. For the first time in his experience he had been recommended by one paper to act on Hamlet's advice to tne players. He had always acted upon that most wholesome advice, and intended to do so to the end of his professional

career. That night's performances brought the season to a close, but he hoped soon to have the honor of appearing again iu Wellington. (Loud cheers.) Therefore he would not say adieu, but an revoiv. His sojourn in Wellington, it was true had been short, but in the language of the immortal Shakespeare, ‘‘lf I stay little, I come again.” (Mr. Rignnld retired behind the scenes amidst enthusiastic cheers.) The company sailed for Lyttelton yeste: * dav. They will perform for two or three weeks iu Christchurch, and proceed thence to Dunedin.