PRINCESS THEATRE, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 14, 22 January 1892, Page 19

PRINCESS THEATRE, DUNEDIN.

Mb Walter Bentley and his company have certainly kept the critics busy — but aB for the actors themselves, what of them 1 One night a heavy part and the next a heavier still, that seems to have been their rule during their season in Dunedin. Important plays have been produced with wonderful rapidity, and to carry them through correctly— not to say excellently as has been the case — must be so small merit. Bo far this week we have had "The Lady of Lyons," " Bichard III." and " Bichelieu "—verily I'embarras des richesses. As Claude Melnotte, Mr Bentley waß again seen to great advantage. His acting throughout was capital. It was marked generally by evenness— but in the scene in which Claude reveals his perfidy to Pauline, and again in that in which, at the end, he rescues her from the snares of Beauseant, it was exceptionally good. Miss Hansen in the part of the heroine was as usual charming. Of the character of Richaid 111. Mr Bentley gives an able interpretation, well sustaining his reputation as aSh kispearian actor. The play of " Richelieu " is a libel on the memory of King Louis XIII., whose chastity was perfect. No monarch, however, has been more misrepresented, and a calumny in addition can signify but little. The King was anything rather than the non-entity he is described as being, and he, not Richelieu, was in fact the master. The view of Bichelieu's character taken by the playwright, however, is a favourable one. He is delineated as by no means the cruel monster which

some writers have described him as being. He is canning, indeed, and deceitful— and bis chnrohmanabip is that rather of the Protestant imagination than of the true ecclesiastic ; bat he is still human, capable of gratitnde, and of pare and of disinterested affection, loving France, though with a love tinctured also by the Great Protestant Tradition— and, with all sincerity of intention, if sometimes by questionable deeds, seeking to serve ber interests. Of the character of the Cardinal, as thus depicted, Mr Bentley gave a masterly delineation. His representation of the character— weak and failing with age and infirmity, yet capable of strong motion and vigorous action, and actuated by various motives, passions and sentiments, — pride, selfconfidence, conceit, contempt, affection, apprehension, fear, despair — was no light one to carry consistently through. The actor, however, proved himself quite equal to the task, and gave a most powerful interpretation. In voice, manner, and movement, he was still the infirm old man — remaining such in playfulness or severity, and in triumph as well as in abjection. Miss Laura Hansen, who excels in every part for which graceful action with emotional expression are required, found a congenial rSle in that of Julie. Mr Alderson at Da Manprat, played extremely well ; Mr Holloway was very effective as Baradas, Mr M'Gowan wa9 quite up to the requirements as Friar Joseph, and Mr Greenaway was successful as the King. Miss Thome, as Franc, ois, played with spirit. The minor parts also were creditably filled. The company have continaed, and most deservedly so, to hold their place in popular favour.