THE CRITIC

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 11, 27 November 1880, Page 94

THE CRITIC

So much has been written about the Circus (which will be off down South when this appears), that it would be absurd for me to fill up space with a detailed description. I will therefore content myself, with saying, that the entertainment (as a whole) is what it pretends to be —a rare good one, and beats anything of the kind previously seen in Auckland. People who expect to find the magnificence of the Paris Hippodrome combined the perfection of Sanger's or Hengler's in a travelling show, are simply fools. One doesn't go to an affair like Cole's to be hypercritical. The most Avonderful thing in the whole busiuess, is the safe transportation of so many animals. It speaks volumes for the skill, experience and organisation of the management. ♦

Mr. Cole himself is quiet a unassuming man with an immense amount of energy and selfreliance hid away "sub rosa." His managing men Messrs. Louis Cooke and Macintyre are also wonders in their way. I think however it woxild be better if the latter gave up the clown business. As a ring master he is quite Al, biit those old, old jokes. Alas ! I nearly wept.

«. Patti is fond of billiards. lima de Murska has been singing at Berlin. Miss Grace Hathaway (Mrs. Walter Eeynolds) has joined tlie Lydia Howard Troupe. "Dr. Tanner," a gastronomical review, in three acts, is to be played at Madrid. Salsbury's Troubadours were a failure at the Gaiety Theatre, London. Adelaide Neilson was the heroine of Wm. Black's novel " In Silk Attire." The Lingards may after all be here at Christmas. Signora Antonietta Link arrived at Melbourne by the last Suez mail steamer. Signor O. j>~ obili, a gentleman well known in Auckland, will pilot Ketten through New Zealand. Walter Reynolds has gone to Melbourne to engage a dramatic company to travel New Zealand. He 'trill open at the Queen's, Dunedin, in December. George D. Chaplin has almost entirely recovered from his severe illness. He is sufficiently well, at any rate, to take a place among the company travelling the States with a new play of " Two Nights in Eome," Speaking of Lingard's Sir Joseph Porter the "Witness" says, "Of course, no comparison can be instituted between the First Lord of Mr. Lingard and Mr. Kiccardi. The last-mentioned is unquestionably such a First Lord as the authors created, and the way he sang and acted will not bo soon forgotten."i sgem,

Mr. Sothern has been ordered sea air, and is going to take a voyage to Australia and back. He has lost flesh ; tut not so much, happily, as his doctors had feared. The Sydney "Bulletin," a g'gantic "cabbage," put together almost entirely with paste pot and scissors, is constantly complaining of other journals copying from it. In a recent issue I find that. SO out of 154 theatrical jotting 3 were transferred holus bolus from the Observer. Johnny Hydes, the comedian, does not appear to be in clover down south.. He, in conjunction with, his company, lately gave a performance in Christchurch to an audience of two. Nothing daunted, the play was carried out to the entire satisfaction of the company and the two spectators. 8&Bob Love lias been acting Stettin Plum in "The FactoryiGirl," at the Theatre Boyal, Christchurch, with great success. The " Thne3 " says, " Mr. R. Love deserves special mention for his excellent conception of his part, and for his unfailing consistency throughout. His dialect and by-play were equally good." The entertainment given by the members of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association, on Wednesday, November 17th, was a great success, in fact, want of efficient scenery was the only drawback to a veritable triumph. The hall was well filled. The four scones selected from the "Merchant of Venice" were received by the large audience with great applause. The following was the cast : Duke of Venice, Mr. Luke; Antonio, Mr. Charter ; Bassanio, Mr. T. Hall ; Gratiano, Mr. Hunt ; Salanio, Mr. King ; Salarino, Mr. C. Whitmore ; Shylock, Mr. John Fairburn ; Tubal, Mr. Bush ; Clerk of the Court, Mr. C. Bowden ; Portia, Mrs. Luke; Nerissa, Miss Gane. Stage manager, Mr. George Willis ; prompter, Mr. Sturges. The dresses were well got up, and the text of Shakspere most faithfully adhered to. Where all did their best it would be invidious to particularise. At the conclusion of the " Trial Scene " all the performers were called before the curtain and received quite an ovation. In Win. Brough's farce "Number One, round the Corner," Mr. Sturges was Flipper : Mr. G. E. Whitmore, Nobbier; Mr. C. Whitmore, second-floor lodger : and Mr. Win. Charter, Jem. During the evening Mr. James Muir acted, as chorus and spoke the prologue and epilogue. The Misses Wallace, the Misses Elmsley, Miss Hall, and Mr. Hunt sang and played musical selections ; and Messrs. M'Elroy and John Wallace gave suitable recitations between the dramatic performances. The National Anthem sang by the company and audience brought this very pleasant evening's entertainment to a close.