Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1848, 4 December 1874, Page 2

Amusements.

ACADEMY OF MTJ3IC

As announced, a dramatic entertainment was given in last night the above theatre by lady and gentleman amateurs, in aid of the Thames and Naval Boating Clubs. It was in every respect satisfactory, and the attendance was not the least so, since there was not, in truth, a vacant seat to be had, many persons having \o content themselves with resting upon those members of the human anatomy which an all wise providence has provided us with for standing purposes. The programme opened with a pleasing little drama, entitled " A Quiet Family," the dramatis personse in which were sustained in a manner highly creditable. The piece is a comic illustration of connubial life under different aspects, in which on the one hand the lady assumes those garments which are deemed to be most suitable for gentlemen, and vice versa. Mrs. Barnaby Bibbs, wife to Mr. Bibbs (and an exaggerated specimen of a female tartar) was represented by Miss Laura Wiseman, whose acting was really admirable; and Miss Manning also acquitted herself well in the part of Mrs Benjamin Bibbs, wife to the brother of Barnaby Bibbs, (and a reformed Katharina). The gentlemen amateurs enacted roles as follow:—Mr Benjamin Bibbs, Mr Donovan —a good Bibbs; Mr Barnaby Bibbs, Mr Bell (and let us render unto Caesar his duo)—a very excellent Bibbs—indeed he was the life of the piece ; Mr Peter Parkin, Mr H. Gorrie; Grumphy, Mr W. W. Bobinson; Miss Selina Lumus, a lady amateur—though of amazonian appearance, this lady succeeded very well; and Snarley, an eccentric lady of uncertain age, was delineated comically by J. B Russell. During the interval a song •' Beautiful Girls " was rendered by Mr Whitford in a manner which met so far with the approval of the audience as to elicit an encore, to which that gentleman willingly responded and gave them "Walking in the Zoo" Mr Whitford would appear to be adapted for this class of singing. He has originality. The thrillingly interesting and tragically striking burlesque " Lord Level and Nancy Ball" was repeated. The cast was not the s^tne a$ #n the la«t occasion

of its performance. The change was far the better. Thai; black-hearted Brigand Kumptifoozle, of Bounding notoriety, was impersonatad by Mr 801 l with great effect. He was a good villain. There was a noticeable improvement in the piece throughout, the result of careful and, praiseworthy rehearsal Ihe vocalisation was effected capitally, Miss Wiseman especially sang very sweetly. In respect to the Brigands, they appeared to be as fell of purpose as before, excepting that in that part which was previously devoted to the incoherent pursuit of revenge, a local song having reference to the Thames aquatics was introduced with good effect. The character who says " My Lord, the bu SSy waits! " was sustained by Mr. Smith. He has merit. To be serious, these amateurs may be assured that their productions (two) have bean far superior to anything of the kind previously attempted here, and they deierve the success they have met with. Just before ths curtain rose in the second act of the burlesque, Lieut. Bennett, as Secretary to the Naval Brigade, and on behalf ot ihe Thames Boating Club, briefly thanked the officers and members of the different corps, the Fire Brigades and ladies and gentlemen for their very liberal patronage, and said that no doubt the proceeds would greaily assist the Clubs out of their financial difficulty.