THE LINGARD-HOSKINS TROUPE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 150, 13 October 1876, Page 2

THE LINGARD-HOSKINS TROUPE.

The Lingard* appeared for the third time last evening, and succeeded in drawing a pretty fair house, on this, as on previous occasions, the front Heats getting the largest share of patronage. The entertainment opened with two scenes from Gilbert's play of "Sweethearts," a by no means judicious selection, as the portions presented permit of [the "introduction of but three characters, and is altogether one which allows but little scope for either Mr. or Mrs. Lingard. Of course, presented as it was last night, in a mutilated form, it is, scarcely fair to the author to criticise the piece adverselj-, and the fact that neither Mr. Lingard nor Miss Dunning were nearly so successful as in " Our 803-5" may also be attributed to the s'une disadvantage. It is a matter for some surprise to us why the piece had been chosen. Had it been one in which the principal characters were brought into prominence, it would be easily accounted for ; but " Sweethearts," on tlic contrary, is an exceedingly tame affair, and why the really good Company which form the Troupe should have been excluded without the reason to which we have alluded, is beyond our ken. The second portion of the programme consisted of a variety cf Mr. Lingard's " Lightning Sketches," in which some of the present and past celebrities were personated with a life-like reality which was truly astonisiiing. In fact, it would be a matter of some difficulty to decide -whether the greater credit should be given to the truthfulness of the I Sketches or the rapidity with which the [ transformations were made. The per- ; sonattoii3 were ten in number, the first of

which was a German Lancer, followed by an Elderly Lady, or "FiveTimesMarried," with an appropriate song. The caricature

■was a most amusing one, and the ; exit of the candidate for further matrimonial

privileges caused no little merriment by bavin" - a large placard with the words "To Let" pinned on her back. After giving character-sketches, and songs of "A Frenchman and his Blunders," "An After-dinner Speech," and the "Dutch Onion Vendor," Mr. Lingard gave lifelike personations of Lord Clyde, Napoleon 1., G. V. Brooke, The Prince of Wales, and Sir Julius Vogel, in addition to a double personation of ths Kaiser William and President Grant. Some of the representations were most startling by their exactitude, notably those of Sir Julius Vogel, His Royal Highness, and the First Napoleon. When it is considered the difficulty experienced in correctly personating even one character, and the celerity with which changes so complete were made by Mr. Lingard, he is entitled-to the very highest praise for Ids sketches. The entertainment closed with a farce, entitled " Mr. Peter White," but we must confess that although Mr. Lingard succeeded so happily in losing his own identity in his previous personations, the facial contortions of Perkyn Middlewick were too frequently introduced into the title rule, and it was hard to disassociate the retired butterman from the happy father, as depicted in the person of Mr. Peter White. Mrs. Lingard, as might have been expected, made the most of the character of Mrs. White ; but we confess we were disappointed with Mr. Graham, and the little that was in the part of Mr. Brown was completely murdered by the uncalled-for volubility and indistinctness of his utterances. In his speech in defence of the married state, however, he made a successful effort, and one which was duly recognised by the audience. Without doubt the best character in the piece was that sustained by Mr. Burford, who personated the choleric and impetuous old soldier in a most creditable manner, a part in which he appeared to be thoroughly at home. To-night the magnificent comedy by the late Mr. Robertson, " David Garrick," will be presented, followed by "Cut Off with a Shilling," and as this is p ositivery the last appearance of the company, and the programme is by far the most attractive yet submitted, we expect to see a bumper house.