Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1900, 4 February 1875, Page 2

Amusements.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC. The Thames Amateur Dramatic CUlb gave a performance at the Academy^ of Music last night, in aid of the .funds of the Ladies' Benevolent Society". - There was an excellent attendance in* the staUit- v and gallery, but the pit was;nearlyempty* ; The lady and gentlemen amateurs comprising the company/are ndt unknown, having given two entertainments previously, and with considerable success. - : The programme last nighteommencedwith; the amusing farce of " Wilful Murder/i? which- was sustained in such a manner as to be provocative: of considerable laughter amongst the audience, and it may therefore be pronounced a success. Mr Nicholls sang two songs in a creditable manner, and Mr J. Whitford gave two verses of a . " loc*l." but for some cause or ether withheld the remainder, and then sang a character song. The burlesque of-"The Babes in the Wood" followed the musical - melange, and it was not only productive, of. considerable amusement, but it introduced Miss Laura Wiseman and Miss Hunter in a very prettjr duet, whioh was rendered in a superior manner. ;. These young ladies possess very sweet and well-trained voices : the.latter gives

promise of one day developing a contralto of power and compass. The "Babeifin the Wood" is a apart ling burlesq^, and, for amateurs, tne company Aty be said to have done exceeding^ well, as it requires more than ordinary appreciation of humour to give propelf point to the word-torturing puns. , The various characters iii the piece were very creditably enacted', but we may especially mention the ladies, Misses Wiseman, Manning and Hunter, i The former played one of the babes—the ' wilful Sally ; Miss Hunter the governess ; and Miss Manning the wood nymph. These ladies are a great acquisition to > the club, and contribute - much to the success. Mr Owen presided at the pianoforte, and played some selections, as well as the accompaniments, in his usual manner. After the conclusion of the performance th? hall pf the [ Academy of Music was cleared, -and a very-enjoyable dance was indulged in, about fifty couples remaining to " assist." The , Thames people are certainly indebted to the Dramatic Club for a pleasant night's amusement, and we hope.to hear tbat the Ladies' Benevolent .Society will benefit by the proceeds.^..... ~ . „ THEATBJ3 80-TAL. . " The Sea of Ice ". was placed upon the s,tage last night, there" being a very largo attendance of the public. The piece is an old favorite, and when properly represented, with due. attention to the very natural effect of scenery, is one- which can never fail.of appreciation wheresoever it is produced. .To the , credit of the management it must be allowed that no expense,is being spared in the.latter direction ; and appropriate scenery is got up by ,Mr Kemp, the company's artist, for each change of .programme. The leading character in the drama presented last night is that of Louise Defjascours, in which Miss Amy Stone appeared. There are few.parts, in any drama whatsoever which.are calculated so thoroughly to call .forth, the talent wjhich.may be possessed by an actress as this of Louise JDe Lascours. In her transient lire of remarkable adventures and severe trials, there is brought to the surface all the finer feelings and human passion of a powerful nature. Miss Stone's conception of the character was perfectly natural, and to say this is at once to say all that could be : said in a column'of encomiastic matter. The aim of the stage is to " hold the mirror up to nature," and not to exceed its"modesty—lts simple but grand arrangement."' In the opening scene. Miss Stone gave promise of what was 10' come ifr the second and more tkriUng stage of the play. Her pour tray al-of the. mother's love and anguish when: on [the island of ice without hope of succour lfo^ her chili was ,very telling, and displayed a close and comprehensive study ot the .horrors ©f the sraiatioii and an innate appreciation of them withal. Miss Stone fairly enchained" the imagination of her 'audience; as was evinced by their demonstrations of, appreciation* which were freely and heartily accorded. As Ogarita, the child' of Louise De Lascours rescued from the,

watery graye Which befel her mother, -;? Miss Stone was no less conspicuous for her superiority as tn actress. The doubla part is exceedingly arduous, and discovers opposites of character, the most distinct; passing from one to the other we have an ehdre change of picture. In both Mist -Stone acted in such a manner as left nothing wanting for the confiraation of the reputation which preceded her arrival in this district. Mr Oily Deering enacted the role of Babul De Lascours rery effectively. Carlos the. adventurer was represented in the person of Mr G. Hollaway, of whom there is much that could be said in praise; but that gentleman ,has one defect, which he would do well to remedy. There is a want of variety in his cadence. In his speaking in all parts there is an objectionable monotone. This is said in excellent good part, and we hope it will be taken in such. There is a too prevailing custom amongst " organs of the people " to adhere to one uninterrupted course of flattery, which must frequently be. regarded as fulsome by the object of it, and "is very often productive of injurous results. The tyro of the boards may be told "that he has histrionic ability and finish of a most extraordinary kind, but if ia his noviciate he has an average amount of common sense, that tyro will not accept such as. gospel truth. Mr Holloway has an admirable voice, which should be capable of great expression, and more attention to inflexion would prove to be resultant or this. The part of Jean Medoc was entrusted ,to MrA-veling, who performed the task allotted to him efficiently, though the character is not one in which that gentleman, shows to the best advantage. Mr Sam Pbole has won the hearts of the \ habitues of the theatre. He is an excel- ' lent specimen of a low-comedy man, and excited great applause in the character of Barrabas; and an audience which possesses intelligence will only applaud when it is pleased. Miss Clara Stephenson appeared in the third act as l>i&jia Pc Lascours, and was greeted with a remind of applause, a well-merited acknowledgment of the reputation which this lady has earned for herself. The part of Diana is not heavy, and requires therefore no special notice. It is sufficient to say of Miss Stephenson that she was perfect in what she did. Space will not admit of further particularisation respecting the various characters. "The Sea of Ice" was performed throughout in a highly creditable ,manner. To-night the public will be treated to "Dot;' or the Cricket on the Hearth," a dramatization by Boucicault of Dickens' famous work. This in itself is a sufficient recommendation. In yesterday's notice of " Led Astray," the name of Miss Fatty Holt, a. talented comedienne, who performed the part of Mathilde, was omitted, and we therefore take this opportunity of rendering unto Hips Patty Holt her due,