THEATRICAL CRITICISM.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2432, 25 October 1866, Page 5

THEATRICAL CRITICISM.

{To the Editor of Me Wellington Independent.) Sir, — You will oblige mo by inserting the enclosed criticisms on performances given by the Thespian A. D. Club. I should mention that the notices (I think they scarcely deservo the name of criticisms) relate to the production of the same piece, viz., " The Will and tho Way." I have been for many years connected directly or indirectly with matters theatrical, and must Bay that I havo never seen a piece so well produced by amateurs before. I cannot but think that some private feeling must actuate tho writer of the paragraphs to so soon change his tone from fulsome adulation to scurrilous abuse. I am, sir, your's &c., Harry Boss. [Extracted from the New Zealand Advertiser, October 3rd, 1866.] If of tho Wellington amateurs we were asked to speak candidly, we would say that many of them possess talent that what are classed as second-rate men in the profession might envy, whilst only a few arc deficient in those essentials that are necessary to render their performances either satisfactory to themselves or pleasing to their audience. In speaking of the pieces presented by the Thespian Club at tho Odd Fellow's Hall on Monday night, however harsh we might be disposed to be, we could not but talk of the performances in terms of commendation. Indeed, weliaveoffcenseen in this colony professional players acquit themselves much less creditably than did the members of the Thespian Club on Monday night. Everyone seemed to have studied hia part ; there was none of that audible prompting wo are now and again pained to listen to; the scenes were shifted with ease and exactness, and the curtain never fell without drawing forth the applause of the audience. Tho pieces produced were the Will and tho Way, and tho screaming furco of tho Little Back Parlor. In the former, Henry Ashton was taken by Mr. Beachcroft, and although a little more sprightliness might have been imported to advantage, on tho whole his acting was pretty good. Sir William Mow bray was well sustained by Mr. Smith. Meeran Hafez was entrusted to the hands of Mr. E. Marriott, but his acting might have been a little more animated. We cannot speak too highly of Mr. Williams' rendering of old Martin, and of Mr. MacCabe's Joe Boans. Mr. Charles Massey played tho part of the hireling to perfection, and looked tho villain in every sense.

[Extracted from the New Zealand Advertiser,

October 21, 1866

On Monday erening the Thespian Club appeaved once more on the boards of the Odd EelloW Hall. Wo Trill say no inoro, as we are not desirous of ropeating the observations we mado oil a former occasion every tiino that they display their undrarnatic abilities. We would however, in the most friendly spirit earnestly impress upon them the desirabilitity of devoting some months to constant practice in private before they again victimise a too-leniont audience.