ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1918, 17 April 1880, Page 3

ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

The play of " Eomeo and Juliet" was performed at the Academy last night. Mrs Walter Hill played Romeo with much taste and effectiveness ; throughout the piece there •was an artistic finish in the manner in which the part was played, and Mrs Hill deserves the utmost credit for her careful rendition of the character. Miss Arethusa May was the Juliet, and as a reading of the part it was perfect, but there was a total absence of power in depioting the strong passion which is the essential of the character. There was no light and shade about it, indeed it was hardly to be expected, as Juliet is one of these parts which taxes to the utmost the power of an experienced artiste, and Miss Arethusa May has not yet gained such an amount of that requisite as would fit her to play a character of such responsibility. She was letter-per-fect in the text, and as a " reading " the part was well rendered, but it was obvious that it was as a dramatic rendering far beyond her powers. Miss May has no doubt a bright future before her in her profession, but in the dramatic art, as in all others, there is no royal road, and eminence in this, as in all others, must be attained by study and perseverance. Miss Bessie Vivian made a very good Nurse, and Miss Mclan wai the Lady Capulet. Mr Burford's Mercutio was a capital rendering of the warm-hearted soldier, and Mr Musgiave was effective as Capulet. The other parts were well filled. The company appear to-night for the last time.