RICHARD III.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 1 (Supplement)

RICHARD 111.

TO TEK HDITOR. Sir,—A visit to the theatre on Monday night has convinced me that tho Dunedin public ia more of n "hiiss"t.han even I supposed it to be; and I feel certain that Mr Miln will agree with me that for crass Btupidity it would bo difficult to find, even in M'lbourne, anything to beat tho audience that witnessed his first nppeararce at the Princess in " Richard III." Possibly you wc-reamongst the asses yourself; but If you were not I should have much difficulty in making you comprehend how entirely the ftuJience misapprehended the meaning of the actors from the first rise of the curtain to the finish. To appreciate the excellence of such a performance of "Shakespeare" one requires, perhaps, to have some slight knowledge, of the historical plays—not much, but a little. From Its own point of view, tho performance was worthy of all praise—but, would you believe it, the andionco persisted in taking it in the grand serious manner, and only towards the end, whenßichard'ssnldiers marched and countermarched in the spangled dresses of pantomime imps, did those present begin to have a glimmering of the joke. The many inimitable touches of scenic decoration, d ess, and acting were completely lost upon them. Richard 111. reclines upnn a grey Tasmaninn opossum rug, and struts upon a black, spread on a vivid green carpet. He wears quiint-looking shoes with rams'horn points, whilst his wife's and sister-in-law's boots wero certainly made by a fashionable b.iotmaker in the present year of grace. Kiebard himself goes through life perspiring with his efforts to apeak in a roar, so that all may overhear his secrets and know what a villain lie is. In that wonderful and most daring snone - daring evenfor Shakespeare - where Richard vvoob Aii'ui Nevilla in tho presence of her murdered father-in-law—the wmingis madeineonmea'ut Itto be, by the faot that it, is witnessed at a disf.nca of two feet by a crowd of vari auly attired iersons who look on with an unconcerned and wooden gravity, which is in the circumstances irresistible. Oiie part of the fun lies in tho appro-nrhtin-i by the various characters of speeches uttered i,y other bliakcfpcnrian characters m other plays. Thus Henry VI asks who can hold a lire m his 1 and by thinking on tho frosty Caucasus, or wallow miked in December Bnow by thinking on fantastic summer's heat—two questions asked by I he same king's grandfather in precisely the same words in the play of " Richard IT." Richmond again soliloqufsea tho large nai-t of a chora? from the ■I'll act of Henry V," whilst extensive borrowing* are made from the various parts of " Henry VI." This \vt much the same effect as if Romeo were to stand in front of .Tuliet's balcony and lament that hia coo, too solid flesh would not melt, thaw, and resolve itself Into a dew, or as if Hamlet, were to stenl a speech from tho melancholy Jacques. As for the Cibbetiah gag, it is diverting in juxtaposition with Shakespeare's lines by reason of its grotesquely iin-Shakesperian and commonplace quality—sharp contrast ot this kind being the essence of burlesque. " Off with his head 1 "is a lino of genius which ono awaits with emotions more easily imagined Him described. Ifthop'eco is again piit on I would recommend everyone to see It. as a play in every way worthy of Colley Clbber.-I am, He, Dunedin, April 29. Paktkidgk.