BENEFIT FOR MRS ALLEN.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 186, 14 May 1872, Page 3

BENEFIT FOR MRS ALLEN.

The performance announced to take place for the benefit of Mrs Allen came off last night at the Academy of Music, but was not nearly as largely attended as it ought to have been. This we attribute to the very huiried manner in which it was got up, and the want of working up, so to speak. The pit and gallery were pretty fairly patronised, but the stalls, which, on an occasion of this sort, ought to have been filled, were all but empty. The Naval band, who had kindly volunteered their services on the occasion, attracted a good many to the house, and afterwards played on the stage during one of the intervals. The “ Momentous Question ” and “ Rumtifoozle ” were the two pieces played, and an interlude, consisting of singing and dancing, together with some so-called acrobatic feats, made up the performance. Miss Laura Wiseman sang two ballads very nicely, and Mr Reed played a couple of solos on the concertina very well. Signor Verti was not so successful as he might have been at the acrobatic feats, but no doubt he will improve with practice. However it is hardly fair to criticise, as no doubt all did their best for a charitable purpose. Wo were sorry to see that young Willie Ryan got- hurt, one of the pistols in the first piece having exploded near to his face and severely injured his left eye. We could not ascertain the amount of the proceeds, but are sorry to say that it cannot be very heavy.