G. C. Miln's Shakespearian Season.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 478, 10 July 1890, Page 2

G. C. Miln's Shakespearian Season.

“JULIUS C.ESAB." The historical play “Julias Cffisar" was performed at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening, Mr Miln taking the p,rt of Marc Antony, and Mr Montgomery that of Brutoa, while Mr Dobson acted tho part of Julius Ctesar and Mr Nunn that of Cassius. There being numerous counter-attractions, the hall was not as wall filled aa the merits of the performance deserved, and one thing that was plainly evident with a great number of those who were present was that comedy ia in Gisborne more popular than those performances which require far greater hiatrionio power. During some of tho most absorbing portions, when an almost painful depth of feeling was being evinced in the minds of those who were paying close attention to the scenes portrayed, some unfeeling wag in the back would smack his lips or make equally vulgar interruptions ; and what was perhaps worse still was that these seemed to be inspired by such good humor or simplicity that instead of being sorely vexed, one could not help being amused at tbs comicality of the thing. At the beat of times “Julius Cffi.ar” ia inclined to be too heavy for the popular taste nowadays, nnlesa indeed the scenic effect is very good, and the supernumeraries all above the average. In Gisborne it waa impossible to mount the piece as it might be done in • city theatre, and the actors were therefore under a great disadvantage so far as popular taste is concerned, though in regard to those who have deeply studied Shakespeare's plays, the absence of the usual accessories was an advantage rather than otherwise. Marc Antony was splendidly taken by Mr Miln, though to our mind the famous oration was given io a slightly overdone etrsin, and there was an abruptness in the variation of tha voice and expression of countenance in the meaning sentence “ Brutus is an honorable man.” Brutus himself (Mr Montgomery) was not up to hie high reputation, until the quarrel e’ene between he and Caseins (Mr Nunn). This was acted with great force, and tho dying acenes were especially good. The success of the part of Julias Ctssar lies more in the costume and natural bearing of the actor, and Mr Dobson being well suited to the character was of course very successful, but the ghost scone was a laughable sham, not through any fault of the actors, but on account of the difficulty to regulate the lighting to give proper effect. Mr Wakefield was excellent in the part of Octavias Ctetar, and Cassius waa capitally rendered, though his complexion bore traces, that were tco plain in the gaslight, of the work of the paint box. Mr Holman made a great mark as Caeca. Miss Strathmare actel as Lucius, Mi s Hamilton as Calphurnia, and Miss Douglas as Portia. The latter was an exceptionally well finished performance. Of the super, nutneraries little need be said — they were not perfection, and the manager would not have been at all pleased had ho observed one bright-eyed youth casting sheep’s cyee at some ladies in the audience. At the dose of the performance Mr Miln was for a second time called before the curtain, when he made a few remarks to tha rffact that the company labored under great disadvan. tagee in not being able to make um of much of their scenery, but the acting, be said, was gone through just as it would be done if they were in a large city theatre. “ ROMEO AND JULIET." Last night there was a good house when the above play was produced, Mr Miln taking tha character of Romeo, and Mias Kate Douglas that of Juliet. Tho whole performance went oft smoothly end well, though it was easily seen that being cramped for space put tbs company under a great disadvantage. Mr Miln and Miss Douglas were each called before the curtain. HAMLET will be played thia evening, and being got only the last night, but probably the olfoiild attrfiol« erovfded hnuK,