Timour the Tartar

THE THEATRE. -

On Saturday, the melodrama of "Timour the Tartar" was introduced for the first time in this colony, and the manner in which the scenery and dresses were got up was highly creditable to the managers. The house was crowded to excess, and many persons were forced to leave on account of the oppressive heat. Groves as Timour was rather too tame for the hot blooded Tartar, but in some of the scenes his expression was good, and if he would throw a little more fire into the character without the ranting that is too generally mistaken for spirit, his delineation of the character would be good. Simmons's Kerim and Mackay's' Samballat were well sustained, and the combat to decide the possession of the captive Selima was ably contested. Had we a voice we should cast Simmons for Timour, if another could be selected to fill the character of Kerim, possessing the skill in fencing that Simmons does. Knowles made a decided hit in Oglan, and evinced considerable comic humour. Abdalla (Lee) is a sort of a supernumerary character, excepting in the last scene where he severally engages with and slays Kerim and Samballat, in which he evinced great tact and activity in the broad sword exercise. Mrs. Taylor's Zorilda was stately and in the scene where she is discovered by Timour. when effecting the escape of her child, the thrilling anxiety for his escape, the almost unsupportable agony of his being discovered and arrested in his flight, and the undisguised capture when his safety is communicated by Oglan, were finely portrayed. Miss Winstanley was properly cast for Selima, and appeared extremely interesting in the young captive, which she sustained well. Mrs. Jones did all that could be done. in the character of Liska, which is not a character of any peculiar feeling or point. On the whole, the effect was good and the trouble and expense which it must have cost in getting up, evinces a desire on the part of the managers to please the public, which we hope will be duly appreciated and acknowledged. Fitzgerald danced a comic dance, and was recompensed by having to dance a hornpipe. Simmons gave Beggars and Ballad Singers, with his drollery, and was encored. Lillie Jones and Miss Ann Winstanley sung Polly Hopkins, and were also encored. The afterpiece was the farce of "Mr. and Mrs. Pringle," which occasioned much laughter, and the night's performance, as a Christmas introduction, when the juvenile portion of the audience require relaxation and amusement in the vacation, was creditable to the colony. The house will be open every night during the Christmas vacation.