AMUSEMENTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 2, 9 October 1871, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

Theatre Royal.—Off Saturday evening the new drama of “ Foul Play ” was produced at this theatre, before a full audience, and met with well merited success. The acting of Miss Bowring as “ Helen ” was something to be remembered, and very nearly equal to her; rendering of “ Harriett Routli,” in Black Sheep, which wo consider to be her best j impersonation. Mr. Steele, as Wolonski, displayed much care and judgment in his rendering of this character. Mr. Keogh’s Robert Penfold, was good, effective, and sympathetic. Mr. O’Brien (as Arthur Wardlaw) was quits, at home in. his part, and acted with a gentlemanly case and abandon, “which is required for this role." The burlesque of the “ Forty Thieves," which concluded the performance, was all that the management had promised, and the scenery reflected every credit ou the scenic artist, Mr., Williams. This burlesque was placed on the stage with real care, and evinces a strong desire on the part of the lessees to produce an extravaganza which will bear the searching criticism of the Thames public. We have all read the wonderful tale in the Arabian Nights of the Forty Thieves, and therefore we need not enter into details, but suffice it to say that the production of “ Ali Baba ” demands a substantial recognition on the part of tho public, alike to the lessees aud those engaged in it. It will be repeated this evening, aud we trust before as good an audience as graced this' place of amusement on Saturday night. With reference to one act in “ Foul Play ” we would most humbly advise tho omission of the automaton ship in the back ground of one scene. The ship (or rather steamboat, more absurd still) appears in a most touching interview between Helen and Robert Penfold, and whilst the rapt audience are intently listening to the dialogue, the paddle-wheels of the mimic steamer double up like a butterfly, or a two-foot rule, to the intense amusement of the “ gods." It is not necessary that the ship should appear at all. We are sure an indulgent and intelligent audience would imagine it, for It is needless to add; that they could not think that HelenV father had walked to a desolate island. '

Academy of Music. —Othello was pro-' duccd last evening to an attentive audience. Of the acting of Mr. Hoskins and Miss Colville, so long and so justly Thames. favourites, we can only speak as wo have done before, viz., that it left nothing to be !j desired. Mr. Burford’s rendering of Othello was fully appreciated, and he was frequently applauded, in fact we have| never seen this character moro power-a fully represented by any actor either in ] the colonics or elsewhere. Mr. Jones as; Cassio and Mrs. Walter Hill as Emilia, i sustained their respective roles with talent and success, and the performance was most satisfactory. It may not bo out of place for us to hazard a suggestion,! which we hope may be taken, as it meant in good part. We think that the presenta- j tion of a Shakespearian play like Othello to a Thames Saturday night audience ia : like offering Caviare to the general, and that it is not fully appreciated by thosoj who went to see it’ It is not unamusing to hear one “horny-handed son of toil" ask his mate which is “ Desdemoney ” and which “ Hotheller,” clearly showing thereby a dim and foggy comprehension i of the play and its beauties—a poor and;: sorry compliment to its excellencies ail acted. I 1 _ I