AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4662, 26 January 1877, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Mm Scott-Siddons appeared in a new charac . ! ter at the Princess Theatre last night, namely, that of Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing," and was accorded a mo»t flattering ■ reception. Her impersonation last night waslooked forward to with a considerable amount of interest, as it was supposed to equal, if not excel, her acting as Juliet and Rosalind. The result was a crowded house and a delighted audience, for all these qualifications possessed by her, and which contributed so largely to her success in the delineations aboveniontioned, were brought into full play with results equally as satisfactory as those produced on former occasions... All the niceties and beauties of the, vivacious and volatile Beatrice were well brought1 out and pourfcrayed in a most charming mariner. Her : acting in the scene in •. which Claudio makes the false accusation, against Hero was a marked illustration of her peculiar ability of conveying a world of meaning by a single look or gesture. High class comedy is evidently her forte, but those = who saw her act in the " Stranger " on Wednesday night, and heard her read, can have but ■ little doubt as to her power to give expression to the strongest passions incidental to human, nature. Miss Willis was Hero, and gave * gentle and quiet rendering of the part. Mr • Steele made a passable Benedict, but it is not. one Of his best characters. He, however, was very popular with the audience, and was frequently applauded. Mr Oily Deering deserves • especial commendation for his capital acting as Leonata. His manner was dignified, and he spoke Ms lines quite in accordance with that dignity. Mr Sam Poole had a congenial part as Dogberry, and he fairly revelled in it, and. although his performance may have appeared a little exaggerated, we hardly thinic that it deserves to be considered such. Indeed the cast last night was a very good one, and the management deserves much, credit for the very satisfactory representations now being given at this Theatre of the leading, Shakspsrian comedies. In consequence of the success of "Much Ado about Nothing " last night it will be repeated this, evening, and upon Saturday we notice that Mrs Siddons is announced to appear as Lady Macbeth in the great tragedy of that name. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The_ performance at this place of amusement last night consisted of the, laughable comedy entitled " How to Settle Accounts with Your Laundress," which was followed by a concert, in which Miss: Lydia Howarde axng the mad scene from "Lucia di Lammermoor. Mdlle. Eranzini did not go through her clever performance on the bicycle, having sustained a severe sprain. She takes a benefit on Saturday evening, on which occasion she will go through her usual performance blindfolded. TEMPERANCE HALL. Messrs Kohler and Bent take a benefit at the Temperance Hall to-night, whsn a very ateractive programme will be presented.