AMUSEMENTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 26, 6 November 1871, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

Theatre Royai,. —Mrs Beecher Stowe’s dramatized novel of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was produced here on Saturday evening to a good house, the pit and gallery being particularly well filled. The stalls, however were very poorly patronised. So far as the scenic effects were concerned the piece was well placed on the stage, though the acting of some of the characters may not have been up to the dramatic author’s ideas. It certainly was not what Mrs Stowe intended to pourtray in her imimmensely popular novel. Mr Steele as George Harris was effective, and did his best to make that character a point in the piece, and in that ho ably succeeded. Tho Cassy of Miss Bowring w'as £ very clever piece of acting, and it was evident from the manner in which Miss Bowring rendered this part that she had closely allied herself with the original in the novel. There is not a doubt that this actress has talents of no ordinary merit, and her impersonation of Cassy was a finished piece of dramatic representation. Simon LeGre was in good hands when committed to Mr Keogh’s care. As a hard hearted slave owner and villain, he made a hit. But we think, if our recollection serves us, that in the original. Simon Le Gre docs not ask Uncle Tom if he wishes to die, and on his answering in tho affirmative, stabs him with a.dagger. Our impression was that Uncle Tom was a victim to Le Gre’s cruelty, and that he was thrashed to death. Perhaps, however, this idea could not bo so effectually carried out by the author as the simpler plan, viz., stabbing. Mrs. Sam Howard acted, we should imagine, Topsey to tho life, —at any rate it was quite satisfactory to the audience, and perhaps after all they are the best judges. Mrs. Keogh, as Eliza, was very effective, as the bolder hearted and sorrowing mother. This is certainly a part admirably adapted to Mrs. Keogh’s style of acting,and one of the best characters wc have seen her in. Mr South was very funny as LeGre’s overseer, but his cool impudence and assurance was a little overdone. It is hardly reasonable to suppose that a man of LeGre‘s nature would take so much —to say the least of it— As a Christy Minstrel burlesque it would have been quite in place, but as a part in Uncle Tom’s Cabin it was slightly overdrawn. Tlie concluding piece was the laughable farce entitled “The Spectre Bridegroom.” Mr Howard’s Dickory was very amusing, and in many parts lie fairly convulsed his audience. The remainder of the characters were well sustained, and the evening’s entertainment gave great satisfaction. Goldsmith’s comedy, “ She Stoops to Conquer,” is announced for this evening.