Blue Beard; or, Female Curiosity

BLUE BEARD

THOSE who have seen certain pieces performed in London, and afterwards see them here, witness the colonial representation at a disadvantage. Thirty-two years ago, we saw 'Blue Beard' in the old Theatre of Drury Lane; Palmer in 'Blue Beard,' Suett in 'Ibrahim,' Bannister in ' Shacabac.' Mrs. Bland in ' Beda,' Kelly in ' Selim.' The impression this gorgeous spectacle made, is well fixed in our memory. And after saying this, we must admit, that 'Blue Beard' has been got up by Knowles admirably. Had we seen other shewy pieces at the same are, we might have been equally impressed. Yet there, are reasons why ' Blue Beard' was pre-eminent above ' Cinderella' and other splendid Pantomimes founded on the nursery tales of the famous ' Mother Goose.' ' Blue Beard was the first of the many attempts to dramatise the old lady. The music of 'Blue Beard' has rarely been exceled for true harmony; that which touches the heart without breaking in on the feelings by a vulgar mechanical execution "of difficult passages." And the circumstance of 'Blue Beard' being announced by our Sydney Thespians, as it has been, with a sort of pomp, and as a piece of unusual merit, shows, that there is in this Turkish Romance something unusually imposing. The first scene, in which the incomparable march called "Blue Beard's March" is introduced, with a grand Turkish procession, was well managed; the new scene itself excellent. The charming duet between Fatima and Selim had to be omitted for though Miss Winstanley can sing, Peat cannot. The famous duet of "Tink a Tink," which was ground on the hand organs for years afterwards in the streets of London, and then relinquished with regret to give way to novelties, was capitally executed by Mrs. Jones, and got through tolerably by Buckingham, who, like Peat, is no singer, yet sang. Mrs. Bland's style of singing ballads was unique, and has, like Incledin's, never been equalled since. But if she sang "Tink a Tink" better than Mrs. Jones, she did not dance so well, for she was a little dumpling of a cherry-checked milk-maid in appearance. Miss Winstanley "would" have sung "When pensive" well, but for two things-first, she was frightened out of her wits, being a novice in singing in public; and next, she pronounced the words with too homely an accent. But for these faults, both easily remedied, she would have sung this beautiful air well. The dance between Mrs. Jones and Mr. Fitzgerald was well executed. Mrs. Jones's movements were singularly graceful, without anything to offend; which cannot be said of the Opera at home. Mrs. Downes sang "Love is a mischievous Boy" with great spirit and correctness. With practice, and aided by Mrs. Chester, these three actresses would get through a comic opera with éclat. They have the latent capacity. The dresses of Mrs. Downes, Mrs. Jones, and Miss Winstanley, were superb.

THEATRE.—The celebrated spectacle of  "Blue Beard" was brought out on Thursday evening, in a style that, taking into consideration the smallness of the house and other disadvantages, may be justly called surprising. The dresses were splendid and appropriate; and the scenery and decorations generally, were of a description far superior to anything before produced in the Colony. The piece opens with a view of Ibrahim's cottage, with a mountainous country in the back ground, over which the grand procession of Blue Beard, who is on his way to the cottage for the purpose of taking Fatima to the castle, is seen advancing. This scene was well managed, and the view of the procession on the hill, with the distant music, had a very good effect. The procession looked splendid; and the supernumeraries had evidently been well drilled. The chambers in Blue Beard's castle (especially the blue chamber) were very well painted,—indeed he new scene painter appears to under- stand his business. The view of the exterior of Blue Beard's palace, with the gardens, was also very good ; and, on the whole, the piece was got up in a manner that we hope will draw such houses as will remunerate the proprietor. The marches and other music were appropriate and well played. Abmelique (Blue Beard) was well played by Knowles, who looked the character admirably; Simes, as Ibrahim, displaced some humour, although rather out of his line when playing an old man ; Buckingham's Shacabac was very middling, we have seen him play a comic character better ; in his part in the duet of "Tink a Tink," he sang but very poorly, but he made a much better attempt at his comic song. Miss Winstanley was an interesting Fatima, and made a very good attempt at singing "While pensive I thought of my Love," although her excessive timidity (a fault not often chargeable to Miss W.) prevented her giving herself fair play ; Mrs. Downes, as Irene, displayed considerable vivacity and tact, and introduced the song of " Love was a mischievous Boy," which she sang with much taste; Beda was remarkably well played by Mrs. Jones, who (with Mr. Fitzgerald) went through a very graceful dance in the garden scene. It would be doing injustice to Messdames Winstanley, Downes, and Jones, not to mention the elegant and characteristic manner in which they were dressed. From the manner in which the piece was received on Thursday, there is no doubt of its being a favourite. This evening, a gentleman, who has played at several of the London theatres, will make his debut on the Sydney stage as Richard III.