THEATRE ROYAL.

Colonist, Volume XXXII, Issue 5572, 14 August 1889, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE TABLEAUX VIVANTS.

Lono before the hour announced for the doors of the Theatre to be opened last evening, a large crowd had assembled, and before the performance had commenced the sale of front seats had ceased, and the order, ■• Standing room only," was issued. The galle-y was oomfortably filled, and though some seats in the rear of the body of the building were unoccupied, the promoters of the entertainment had every reason to congratulate themselves on having aohieved a financial success. At a few minutes past eight the orchestra commenced the averture, which comprised a number of selections fro <n the eyer welcome Maritana. Notwithstanding the fact that tha opportunities for rehearsal have been few, tbe band acquitted themselves very creditably, and appropriate music accompanied each scene throughout the evening. Quaint airs softly played selected from the National melodies of England, Poland, Russia, Spain, and Turkey, added a charm to the tableaux. In the first Shakspearean scene the characteristic songs, " Hearts of Oak," " The roast beef of old England," &0., were given, and a Venetian dance was rendered with effeot during the scene from Oihello. In the tableaux from Coleridge's -'Ancient Mariner," the three choruses taken from Barnett's cantata, bearing the same title were excellently given, and the libretto was sufficiently descriptive of the scenes depicted. Between the various tableaux the orchestra played some of the new and most favored waltzes, including one from '* The Mikado." Miss Pratt was very successful with ber song, albeit her selection, Parker's "Gwendoline," is comparatively unknown. Mr Grace received an enthusiastic encore for his contribution, " The Gallants of England," and repeated the last verse. It must have been a severe trial to the vocalists to stand immediately over the footlights, and this defeot will doubtless be avoided at this evening, representation. Coming to the tableaux themselves, it may be said that they -.ere. all good, and that the exponents of the various obaraoters filled tbeir nles with success. The grouping throughout was artistic and the general effect excellent. Perhaps the best of the series of pictures was that of " Gregory and the Angle's," The group of pretty children and fair haired girls, with the cowled monk and Roman soldier in tbe foreground, was a charming pioture, whioh well deperved the plaudits bestowed on it. " Queen Margaret and the Bobber" was also a fine scene, and the representation of a scene depicting the Bard of Avon reciting the dying speeoh of John of Gaunt, from Richard 11., was really excellently given. Another Shakespearian tableau, showing "Desdemona in the presence o* the Father of the Senate," was a decided success, tbe pioture being one of the most realistic ot the evening, the faoial expression of the heroine b .ng particularly good. The two later scene, from the Ancient Mariner were picturesque, and met wish a hearty reception. The explanatory readings were clearjy given, with one exoep tion, and the Shakespearian recitation was delivered with due regard to tbe spirit of the lines. Altogether the evening'a entertainment, was a deoided success, and no doubt an equally large attendance will be present this evening, when the tableaux-will be repeated.'