The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

A SCENE IN A SCOTCH THEATRE.

On Saturday evening the Dunfermline Theatre pre-
sented a scene the like of which was never before
witnessed in the city (remarks the Scotsman).
Othello was advertised to be performed—Miss Goddard
to take the part of Othello, and Miss Clara Nash of
Desdemona. At seven o'clock, when the performance
should have commenced, the manager appeared on the
stage in an excited state, and declared that he had
lost £7O, that he did not care for the audience, and
that Miss Goddard would riot play to suah an audience.
He went on making three statements for half an Lour,
and rating the audience in the gallery, who were very
noisy, and they being impatient and displeased, he was
loudly hooted and hissed at. After some time, one of
the actors 'xi:pear.), and stated that Miss Goddard was
ill and not able to perform, but, with the permission of
the audience, the company would go on with The Dead
Shot, in which Miss Clara Nash took the principal part.
This part of the entertainment went off pretty quietly.
The next performance seas Dick 2'arpiri, in which a
home and a donkey appeared on the stage; but net
being trained, they did not give much satisfaction to the
audience, who appeared determined to have Othello
performed, and for a considerable time would not
allow the performance to proceed. In consequence,
it was gone through amid great uproar and confusion.
The manager WWI sadly abused, and not one of the per-
formers could for more than an occasional interval
obtain a hearing. Several pieces of stick sr ere thrown on
the stage, and there were repeated cries for the manager.
While one of the actors was 'playing his part, he was
struck on the head by a marble, and, naturally enough
perhape, losing his temper at this insult and injury,
he exclaimed, "You are contemptible hounds."
One of the actresses urged him not to mind, but he
continued, "What, not mind ! I would not do so
. for the best man in the house; but if I could get
hold of those who are throwing these marbles,
I would bring this whip over their backs." This
incident was the signal for the outbreak for
another uproar. Another actor then appeared and
stated that Mies Goddard was dangerously ill, and

that two doctors were attending her. These intima-
tions were received with hissing, yelling, hooting,
throwing of missiles of all descriptions, and other
marks of disapprobation. Near the conclusion, the
manager appeared and made some remarks, in the
course of which he said "he did not care a rap for the
audience, and that thy were a most unenlightened

public. The proprietor of tie' theatre having been
sent for, appeared and ordered the manager to nroceed,
but it was some time before he left off expostulating
and remonstrating with the audience. Ultimately be
was compelled to leave the stage, and the play went
on. The performers were not, however, heard for the
great noise which prevailed. They all, actresses as
well as actors (Miss Nash excepted, who only appeared
in the first play) endeavoured to obtain a hearing to
vindicate their own conduct. They were not allowed,
however, for any length of tune, but were received
with marks of disapprobation. At the conclusion of
the performance the proprietor expressed his regret at
the misunderstanding which had taken place that
night, and intimated that the season would close, and
that before the theatre was re-opened extensive altera-
tions would be made.

A FENIAN ON HIS FRIENDS.
Ti NE. —ltilarrary Ballad.
0 pity a Fenian prisoner,
Awaiting of his doom,
For treason and for murder too,
All in a prison's gloom.
My native soil was Ireland,
The Island of the Fee,,
Bet I scorned to lire the Saxon's thrall
In chains and slavery.
In prowl disdain to he a slave,
I emigrated o'er the wave.
A citizen of the sited States
In due time I became,
And there fought in the ranks of death
On the glorious field of fame.
But when the war was ended,
And Peace prevailed once more,
I joined the Fenian Brotherhood.
And returned to wy votive shore.
We thought to lay the tyrants low,
The time WAS come to strike the blow.
But, what made us especially
The British Lion dare,
Was the friends of the bold Jamaica blacks,
And the foes of oovernor Eyre
The more because among that crew
The members, name by name,
That took our part in Parliament,
Were all of them the same.
They weren't kicked out ; which when we law.
It encouraged us to defy the law.
Policemen we did shoot and kill,
. _

occas!o!t

hon.le,_

All in the Town of Manchester,
Did suffer martyrdom.
In Clerkenwell we did blow down
The prison wall, and blew
Up working met, and women,
Anil many children too.
Kind friends we'd got, by which thought we
For to enjoy impunity.
Again they 're at the lioveruor,
Who put our brothers down.
And stamped out bla,k rebellion,
When they rose against the Crown.
To get him hanged tor murder
They had tried and failed before.
At how Street Court, ou Thursday lad,
They made the attempt once more.
We trust they 'li prove our good friends dal,
P. A. Taylor and John Stuart Mill.
To bring a loyal subject to
The gallows was their aim,
And oh may they exert themselves
To save us from the same!
Success to F. A. Taylor,
John Stuart MiU, and those
That seek the life of England's friends,
And side with England's foes.
The House of Commons won't expel
The friends that all find who reheL —Punch.