AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3524, 28 July 1879, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

THEATRE ROYAL. TUE OCTOKOON. On Saturday night Dion Bouc'cault's drama " Octoroon " was performed at the Theatre Royal, and drew a very largo audience. It had been announced that Mr William Hoskins would play Salem Scudder, a r6 le of which hia rendering has always had many admirers. It was, therefore, a cause of much regret to the audience on Saturday to learn as they did, just before the curtain rdae, from the stage manager, Mr J. G. Joyco, that serious if not dangerous indisposition would prevent the veteran artist from appearing. In announcing the fact, Mr Joyce, in a few well-chosen sentences, craved the sympathy of his hearers for their old favourite, and their indulgence for Mr Ogden, who had kindly undortaken at extremoly brief notice to take tho part for which Mr Hoskins had been cast. Tho " Octoroon " was then proceeded with, and though it is not to be repeated, itß performance showod that no little care had been bestowed upon its production. The scenery and mounting generally were beautiful and appropriate, tho latter included some new particulars, tho most noticeable of which was a tableau (consisting of Wah-no-tee, M'Cloß.y and Paul, the Indian in the act of slaying Paul's murderer), disclosed by the opening of the scene behind tho group representing the death of Zoo. Mr Wybert Reeve played the Indian with appropriate pantomime. He did not make as much of the part as has been made by some other artists who have appeared in it, but judiciously contented himself with allowing it to be* subordinate to tho more important rdlee immediately connected with the Octoroon herself. That in the opinion of many by so doing ho sacrificed himself to hiß Bense of artistic propriety, thero can be no doubt but withal his performance was such as to give another proof of his great versatility, and deservedly won for him. loud applause. Mr E. B. Buseell was most effective as Jacob M'Olosky. The part is one in whioh he appears to the greatest advantage, and he is evidently woll aware of this.. Mr Ogdon, who,' as already stated, took tho part of Salem Scudder at a very, short notice, made a successful endeavour to fulfil tho requirements of the character. Though he evidently felt somewhat cmbaraß.cd from his not j having bad time to refresh his memory by arehearsal of the part, he displayed a thorough knowledge of its spirit, and on thoso who had not. previously seen him would no doubt make the impression tbat he could not do muoh better. Mr J.G. Joyce was excellent, because absolutely natural, aB Sunnysido. Mr F. W. Fisher made quite a hit" as Poto. In no rd le which thiß gentleman has taken hero haß ho appeared with greater buocbbs. His reading of the part showed it to be a favourite one with him, and ono with whioh he is thoroughly conversant. Mr Harry Danielle played Colonel Pointdexter with great attention to detail, and consequently Drought all its peculiarities into sufficient prominence. Paul was pioturesquely and effectively played by Miss Nellie Greenlees. Mrs Fitzwilliams made a quiet, lady-like Mrs Peyton. Miss Ada Lester mado a characteristic Dora. In tho earlier scenes she made duly noticeable the unconscious egotism of the Southern lady, but displayed in tho auction scene the affection of a true hearted woman, and in the succeeding scene tho onergy of a heroine^

The indignant" tdhe" with which she uttered '• Kill him like a dog," and the acrampanying "attitude, ;Were startling in |theu* .effectiveness. Misß Beatrice waß of course __oe. Her reading of the part was marked by her usual conscientiousness. The other characters were represented with more than average merit. The success -of tho play may be estimated from the fact that at the conclusion of each act tho curtain had to be raised in responso to the enthusiastic applause. To-night a new play adapted from Wilkie Collins novel " No Name," and entitled "Great Temptation," i. to be produced for the first time in Christohurch.