PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2148, 25 April 1895, Page 36

PRINCESS THEATRE.

A large house assembled at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night, when a triple programme was presented by the Albert Lucas Company, with whom were associated, for the fiist time, the Cunard Family. The curtain was raised upon the domestic drama "Dream Faces," an idyllic lifctla piece, which, sympathetically and artistically acted, created an exceedingly favourable impression. It could hardly have been otherwise, for the play, which was written by Mr Wynu Millßr, is ono. of the most charming produced in Dunedin for a long time. The cast of characters embraced the names of Misses Lilla Wilde and Ina Lawrence, Messrs Albert Lucas and A. IS. Greenaway, each of whom, as has been already indicated, did goad service, none btiuc more successful than Miss Lawrence, who, in the role of a bright and ingenuous young girl, was supplied with a character which she fitted splendidly, and in which she made a distinct hit. Miss Wilde played with real feeling in the part of a lovable old lady of tne kind who do good by stealth. Mr Lucas gave a good sketch in his impersonation of a man who ia of worthless character, yet. not wholly unsusceptible to shame, and Mr Greenaway played, with good effect the part of a young man of refined and artisiie tastes. The drama was a great success, and the characters wera enthusiastically called at its termination. Tha members of the Cunard Family supplied the second part of the programme. Mr A. L.. Cunard's exhibition of prestidigitation, thongk necessarily brief, was heartily enjoyed. Miss Helen Gordon scored an unmistakable success ia her singing of " Bel Raggio," from the opera " Semiramide," her voice, which is a sweet and powerful soprano of good quality and great flexibility, being heard to considerable advantage in it. Being vociferously encored, she responded with "Killarney," a portion of which aSo she was, in response to the plaudits of the houHe, obliged to repeat. The song and dance "Tha rowdy, dowdy boys" by two little mites, tie Missea Nellie and Alio Cunard, evoked roars of laughter, and an encore was followed by a comio medley. A banjo and mandolin duct by Me Cunard and Miss Gordon was much appreciated, as was also a mandolin and guitar duet given by them as an encore number. The concluding portion of the entertainment was the comedy "Mr Uncle's Will," in which the p3rtß of Florence Marigold and Charles G'aflhmore were respectively filled by MiS3 Wilde and Mr Greenaway, both of whom duly emphasised tho humours of the piece, Miss Wilde's rcpresantatioa being, however, somewhat marred by aa unfortus Date trick of intonation she has grit into. MsMoss, cast as Barker, was over weigh ted.- laa whole programme made up an admirable enxep tainment.