AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4177, 17 July 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

BAKER'S HIBENIGON. The Hibcmicon, which opened at the Temperance Hall on Saturday evening, appears to have lost none of its popularity, there being—considering other attractions—a very eood attendance. The views of Irish scenery are introduced hy Mr W. r. Baker, Mr H. Baker, who tilled the position of lecturer when the Hibemicon was last here, being absent. Mr Eater’s tenor voice was heard to great advantage in ‘ The dear little Shamrock ” and “ Come into the Garden, Maud.” The Gardner Brothers, who made their first appearance here, sing and dance well, and their performances were re-demanded. Hr Charles Verner has lost none of his Irish humor • in the song “ Tread on the Tail of my Coat," ho caused a sensation hy his handling of the “ bit of a stick, ’ The 11 Baby Elephant," a sketch in which Messrs Verner, Gardner, and W. F. Baker took part, caused uproarious mirth, and should be seen by all young people. The whole concluded with a large distribution of presents, tbe articles being of all varieties from a bar of soap to a tea and coffee set. The gift distribution will take place every evening this week, and we have no doubt la<-<*e audiences will be attracted by the budget of fun and instruction provided.

“ MACBETH," AT THE QUEEN'S. Shakespeare’s tragedy of “ Macbeth ” was produced on Saturday night at the Queen’s Theatre, the lower parts of the house being well filled! Although Mr Talbot does not appear to sue' great advantage in the roU of Macbeth as he does in other Shakesperian characters, yet his representation was good, being especially so in the soliloquy before entering the bed-chamber of Duncan to assassinate him, and also in the court scone where the apparition of Banquo appears. The audience during the evening frequently bestowed upon Mr Talbot a considerable amount of applause, and at the termination of the piece he was honored with a call before the curtain. Lady Macbeth found a fine exponent in Mrs Hill, and throughout the second act that lady exhibited great histrionic power. Mr Steele, who appeared as Macduff, gave a good representation of the character, but was not equal to our expectations. The rest of the characters were creditably sustained. To-night the great comedy of “ The Man of the World ” will be produced, Mr Talbot assu ning the character of Sir Perliuax Macsycophaut, and, judging from the manner in which his delineation of this character was received on his lat visit here, we may safely predict a crowded house on this occasion. “OUR BOYS” AT THE PRINCESS’S. The reputation which the Liugards brought with them, and the fact that “ Our Boys” had proved a signal success wherever it had been produced doubtless accounted for the very large audience which assembled in the Princess’s Theatre on Satur. day night—tbe largest, in fact, that has been seen within the four walls of any theatre in this City for a considerable time. That the entertainment provided fully warranted ihe attendance there can be to question. The performance commenced with the sparkling comedietta of “ Cut. off With a Shilling,” which, owing to the spirited acting of Miss Colville and Messrs Hoskins and Douglas, kept those present in a continual state of merriment. “ Our Boys” served to introduce the Liugards, and wc doubt whether a better selection could have been made to illustrate the versatility of either Mr or Mrs Lingard. The comedy is full of amusing incidents, and miitiimoviug language, sprinkled with many genuine pathetic touches, and is considered to be Mr Byron’s chef-d'oeuvre. Perkin Middlewick, a retired hut wealthy bulterman, and Sir Geoffrev Cbampue; s, an aristocrat, have each a son, whom they send to tbe Continent to derive some knowledge of tbe world, and who in tbe course of their travels form a fast frier Iship. The son of the baronet, is an insipid youm, such as is frequently met with both at Home and in theSColonies ; whilst the hutterman’s boy is a handsome spirited’ lad of -vhom any father might be proud. The otlu r characters are two pretty cousins—one rich, the other poor, an elderly maiden sister of Sir Geoffrey, and a servant girl. The sous choose as tbc’ir future wives the very opposite to their fathers’ wishes, and the result is, as it most often occurs —“Our Boys" are turned into the world to shift for themselves. Never having had to do a day’s work, they are unable to make ,i living, and just as they rtre on the point of despair the fathers relent, and all ends happily. The comedy proved a genuine success, was well cast, and there wns not a single bitch dur ng the per! formanco. Mr Ling.id’s represeulatiou of tbe jovial-hearted but vulgar old tradesman is a thorough study of human nature, his facial expression and uncouth manner, on learning of his son’s disobedience, being alike striking The numerous expletives, which are put into the mouth of the representatives of this character are brought out by Mr Lingard in such a manner that tl ey cannot give offence to the most moral patrons of the drama. Mr Barford’s performance of the old squire was one of the host played parts in the piece, and at the close of the second act he received a well-merited call before the curtain. Mr Douglas, as Middlewick, the younger, gave ample proof of the rapid advances which he is making in his profession; while Mr Grahame, as his travelling companion, afforded evidence of careful study, being especially amusing in the scene where he makes love to Mary Melrose. This latter character wns sustained by Miss Dunning (Airs Lingard), who is possess d of an CiCcllont fisnire, and dresses with bccomi: .-r fasto which features tend in no m-irho’ degree to (be successful representation of this character. Miss Colville as the rich cousin, Mary Melrose, bad the bi st of it in so far a- dress was concerned, and she played with more judgment than for some time past. Miss Howard as Miss Cnampneys, and Miss Laurence as Belinda, 11.e servant-maid, did full justice to their respective parts, ilie latter making her small part a mo’st promiuciit one. ‘‘Our Bovs ” will be lopentvd fo-nigbr, and wo anticipate for it n. lengthened run.