RE-OPENING. OF PRINCESS THEATRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9347, 1 March 1881, Page 2

RE-OPENING. OF PRINCESS THEATRE.

» The attendance at the re-opening of the Princess Theatre by the Byronic Company last night was only moderate, the pit and stalls being well filled, but there was rather a thin circle. Before the curtain rose on Byron's drama, " The Lancashire Lass," the company came on the stage in evening dress, and a capital prologue, speoially written for the occasion, was delivered in a very pleasing manner by Miss Lizzie Morgan. The company then sang the first verse of the National Anthem, Miss Morgan taking the solos, and, after a somewhat lengthy interval, the programme was continued. The first scene of "The Lancashire Lass " — a pretty landscape — drew from the audience a call for the artist, who appeared and bowed tis acknowledgments. This was repeated when the view of the Liverpool Docks and a street-scene in the same town were disclosed. The manner in which the audience received the new scenery seemed to imbue the actors with spirit, and the play passed off very satisfactorily. Miss Lizzie Morgan's conception of the part of Ruth Kirby is a most realistic one, and her acting was characterised by a pathos and feeling which frequently -• evoked well-merited applause. The acting of Misses Johns and Lawrence, as Fanny Danville and Kate Garston respectively, were also very effective, andthe song "Killarney," by the former lady, was encored. Of the male characters, we can only say that it would be invidious to particularise anyone, when each distinguished himself so favourably. The bill of fare for to-night includes the much-admired comedy of " Our Girls," and an amusing farce called " The foodies," each of which should be clone full justice to by the Byronic Comedy Company. Perhaps it would not be out of place to niention that the whole of the new fittings of the theatre vere made and put together by Mr. JvPeymaaL