Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 1 May 1875, Page 3

Amusements.

; THEATRE KOYAL.

"Masks and Faces" is a splendid comedy, illustrating the struggles of an enthusiast, whose peculiar bent is in the literary direction,.; r of the peculiarity of » -critics j and of theatrical lifebffitheVstagie. The piece was successfully represented ; t the humor and pathos of which it is composed being faithfully expressed. JM>s George Darrell impersonated Peg Woffington, an actress of great fame, and a chariacterl of "a highly moral 'standard. One great feature in the acting of thjs lady is its naturalness. Nature in h^r Lands is not by any means overdone; and to overdo nature is as objectionable a practice in a member' of the theatrical lj>rojession( as ta overdo a leg r«f mutton v^ lis cbhsidered?sinful on the part'ofaSbook. There is no effort apparent in the" per- ■ Mk: formances of Mrs Darrell. As Peg Woffington the audience saw what they might very naturally expect to find in such a character; nothing detracted from, >. nothing added;;; and ]the.;audience mani- -, fe'sted their^appreciation of -such acting after the manner of audiences generally. Mr George Darrell, as Triplet, the dramatic critie,'who labors under the double affliction of " hope deferred" and an,empty stqmach, played capitally, and succeeded =in ; giving a very accurate idea of tfie'situation. His own identity was losfc in that of Triplet, and there was no noticeable departure from the character from first to las:t?' It was a representation such, as gentlemen who have travelled ■withgreater*prestige and .bigger, ; play- ' bilfs' might learnt much from; T^e part of Mabel Vane was ably interpreted by Miss Clara Stephenson, who met with that share of applause which is always accorded, her. Miss Patty Holt was .: rpiquan!: and delightful as Kitty Cliye. Mrs Jones was entrusted with the part of Mrs Triplet, and sustained the character remarkablyw r ; In. yesterday's^ notice of v The Lady of liyons " the name of Mrs Jones was omitted. The lady, of course, sustained a great loss thereby, but a* she i« a really excellent actress, she will . doubtless survive , the neglect. Mr AveHng- : undertook)f-the t representation of Sir George Pomander^ a gentlemanly villain, and. succeeded well. Ernest Vane was entrusted to Mr Holloway; the part was well impersonated -: Mr Deering was richly humorous as Colly Cibber, and sustained' the reputation he has justly earned as a comedian. ■ Quin and Snarl, ttro critics, were enacted by Messrs. Poole and Thornton, respectively, _in very good style. Mr " Thornton, Especially,"gave "utterance to the ponderous and critical opinions of Snarl,with great effect. The other parts were placed in good hands, and the piece , went without a single hitch.