THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2186, 26 February 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The benefit entertainment tendered by the "Times" Dramatic Company and others, on behalf of the sooiety known as the Christehurch Mutual Imps, took place at this theatre lnat evening, and was, generally speaking, very successful, the house being well filled and the performances all that could be desired, excepting in one trifling instance, wherein the performer, in the socond part of the entertainment, unhappily allowed his ardent spirits to operate pro judicially aa against the rules of good taste. Of the) production of Byron's pretty little comedy *' Weak Woman," it wonld, in all honesty, be difficult to speak too highly—Mrs Walter Hill, Miss May, Mrs Ashton, and Messrs F. O. East, J. Hebden. F. Hyman, E. T. Kitchen, W. Lansley, and J. B. Davidson acquitting themselves more than creditably, Mr Hebden in particular making a very decided hit in the character of Capt. Ginger. The Bailway Band contributed valuable services. Mr Tankard gave a brilliant cornet solo, Mr J. J. Kennedy reoited "Shamus O'Brien" with good effect, and Signor Luisetti sang " Maid of Athena " excellently. Following is the address on " The objects and mysteries of the society," written by Mr J. Ludford. and recited by Mr Chas. Hull : How prone is man, obedient to his will, To strain and magnify a scorning ill, — As, ever ready little faults to scan. He aits in judgment on his fellow man. And oft-times, with perversity increased, Tho judge is sternest where he knows t!»o least. Tie wise to know tho thing whereof we judge;

*Tis hard, a follow man his due to grnd^o. Take wo onr Imps. Keen satire, ever nfe, O'orlooks the secrets of thoir inner life. Or gazes with oblique, averted eyes. And seeing, doubts, and doubting, still decries. Whore are an actor's hearth and home, —the tics Which social intercourse to us supplies ? His home is whore —with true poetic rage— He storms, and ** struts his hour upon the stag© j" Or, lending mirth and melody a zest. Ho moves ns with his humor or his jest. *Tis here wo see him, —soon to bo forgot; a Tis here wo know him, —yet wo know him not. His life seems but a serai-tragic broil. An endless round of mental moil and toil. Wo soo him come, and pass before our eyes. Then, Arab-like, he folds his tent, and flies. No rest he knows, nor recks he place or time. And so ho wanders on, from climo to climo. To him, the nature of his art denies Tho sweets and charms society supplies. But, shall ho look in vain, through all tho land, Por friendly commune, or for friendship's hand ? Nay ! Let our Imps themselves this truth attest: There he flnds welcome, truest, and tho best. Tho Brotherhood, despite its impish name, Holds steadfast to its object and its aim 'Tis, to supply a hearth and home in part. To those disciples of dramatic art. Of music, and of literature, who share One common want of welcome, friendly enro. Thus, then, tho Imps, or—call them what you will. An unobtrusive, noble office fill— Supply a boon to brethren of their art. In which the outer world can take no part, *Tia they alone can lift tho social ban That lies between tho actor and tho man. Let little minds, that deal in little things. Pretend to scoff; —their censure seldom stings. Besides, it comes so ready to their hand To flout the thing they do not understand. Let broader minds intelligently view Tho kindly deeds the Brothers seek to do: And they will feel, while this good work they scan, Tho mystic Imp is, after all, a man.