The Exile | The Carnival Ball

On Monday last the
Theatre closed for the season, being for the
benefit of the proprietor, Mr Solomon; and
we are happy to state the house was crowded
on the occasion. We have repeatedly spoken
of the manner in which this theatre has been
conducted, reflecting the highest credit on the
proprietor and the management. Mr Lazar
has been certainly indefatigable, both as actor
and manager, providing for the audience a
fund of humour as the former, and of novelty
as the latter. On this evening The Exile
was reduced in a manner that astonished us—
surpassing even the splendour of the Jewess.
Could an audience have supposed they were in
a colony little more than four years established,
and at such a distance from London? The
scenery was picturesque, the dresser appropri-
ate, and the characters ably supported. The
processions were admirably arranged, and the
brass hand suddenly bursting on the audience
as they were seen proceeding through the
arch from a great extent of stage, had a most
imposing effect, and drew down immense ap-
plause. The Empress, on a beautiful white
horse, added to the spectacle, and the whole
appeared to give universal satisfaction. Mr
Lazar, as Daran, played with much feeling and
judgment, giving every sentence with great
correctness. Mrs Cameron, as Alexina, was
good, as were also Mr and Mrs Arabin and
Miss Lazar. The other characters are of little
importance to the piece, but, notwithstanding,
were well sustained. The Carnival Ball was
the concluding piece, and the last scene cer-
tainly was magnificent. The blaze of light
occasioned by the number of transparent lamps,
strongly reminded us of those scenes in Fairy
Land described in the Arabian Nights. In
fact, every thing that could possibly please the
eye appeared to have been studied for this
night. Previous to the certain rising for the
farce, Mr Lazar stepped forward, and was
received with an unanimous burst of applause
which continued for some time, and delivered
the following neat and appropriate address:—
"Ladies and Gentlemen—It has long been
the custom previously to the curtain finally
closing on the season, to address a few words
to the friends who assemble to bid us farewell
It is a painful yet pleasing task—painful, from
being a leave-taking of kind friends—pleasing,
because I am enabled to express gratitude for
favors past, and have to hope this separation is

not a final one As the opening of a theatrical
season brings with it hope, so the close as na-
turally produces regret. We met you only
six months ago with buoyant spirits, and we
now take our leave with unaffected sorrow.
In an infant colony like this, it cannot be sup-
posed possible that we can vie in splendour
and variety with the London theatres, but I
trust, Ladies and Gentlemen, the efforts we
have made to merit your approbation have
proved our willingness to consult your accom-
modation to the very utmost extent of our
ability. During our short campaign we have
had to thank your indulgence for the complete
success of every novelty we have presented.
The performers also wish to express their high
sense of the kindness you have shown them,
and I hope, Ladies and Gentlemen, it may not
be deemed intrusive if I take the liberty of
thanking each of them who have, by their
zeal, alacrity, and talent, carried with effect
every intention of the management. The re-
sult of the present season has not been so
beneficial to the proprietor as his spirited un-
dertaking merited, which, in a great measure,
may be attributed to the depressed state of the
colony, and not to the want of your kind
wishes; but we look forward with pleasing
anticipations to the next, and, aided by your
kind patronage, will be another proof added
to the many how little he has to fear the want
of success who advances anything like a
genuine claim to the liberality of a British
public, as every individual is served when
the general cause is supported. I feel my own
personal thanks are also due; accept them, I
beg, and with them my heartfelt prayers for
your happiness and my sincere wishes that we
may meet again; and I hope when I have the
honor of bidding you welcome at the next
meeting here, I may give this greeting to as
numerous and as elegant as audience as that
to which I now bid FAREWELL." This grate-
ful acknowledgment was loudly and enthusias-
tically applauded, and Mr Lazar retired amid
the continued cheering of the audience. Mr
L. has taken the theatre for the ensuing sea-
son, and we have no doubt he will be strongly
supported.