AMUSEMENTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 22, 1 November 1871, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

Academy of Music. —An amateur performance in aid of the Mechanics’ Institute (being the last of a scries of entertainments for the same object) came off at the Academy of Music. There was a large attendance in the stalls, and the other parts of the house were moderately well filled. The curtain rose to the trial scene from the “ Merchant of Venice” which was very well rendered. Mrs Bain, as Portia, was a graceful and appropriate piece of acting, and Was very warmly received by the audience. Mr Perrier made one of the very best Shylocks we over saw performed by an.amateur, and he was well played up to by Tubal, his friend, (Mr. Radford). Miss Wiseman, as performed the somewhat subordinate character allotted to her with ease and good taste. Mr. Bain made an excellent Doge of Venice, and they were well supported by the rest of the company. A musical interlude followed, in which Miss Blake, Master and Miss Barnett, Mr. Wright, and Miss Laura Wiseman took part. This was followed by the pleasing drama of “ Time Tries all.” Mrs Bain as Laura Leeson, and Mr Perrier as Matthew Bates, her lover, were admirable pieces of acting; and Mr Piesse as Tommy Fact, and Miss Wiseman as Fanny. Pact, were very clever performances. Mr Newberry played the part of the Honourable Augustus C. Yawn with a vivid appreciation of the character—if there was a fault to find, it was that the part was a little overdone. Mr Bain as Mr Leeson performed the part of the father of his wayward daughter with great feeling. The piece was well and carefully placed upon the stage, |and it ran throughout very smoothly, with little of the “ hanging fire ” which usually attends upon amateur performances. Upon the whole, last night’s entertainment reflects great credit upon all the performers, and will long be remembered with pleasure by those who were present, and it js satisfactory to know that the funds of the Mechanics’ Institute will be augmented by a handsome sum by last night’s entertainment. Theatre Royal.— “ Never too late to mend” was reproduced here last night to a fair house. All the performers carried out the several parts as . carefully as on the previous evening. Mrs Keogh certainly deserves credit for the'clever manner in which she rendered the part of the poor incarcerated boy Josephs. Her impersonation of the death scene was particularly touching. The “ Enchanted Isle ” concluded the entertainment. This pieco is peculiarly adapted for this company, and it gave free scope for displaying their extravaganza talent. Mr. Joyce’s Alonzo was a finished piece of serio-comic acting ; he undoubtedly looked a broken-hearted Monarch,..to all intents and purposes. Prince Ferdinand had a good representative in Mr. South. Mr. Howard was a great success as Caliban, and fairly brought down the house with his comicalities. Mrs Howard possesses fine terpsichorean qualities, and she showed them to great advantage last evening. Mrs Keogh played with a verve and empressment that cannot be too su£|iciently commended. Mr I. F. Keogh, as Prospero, exhibited an acquaintance with the real tragic art, which rose far above burlesque.