THEATRE ROYAL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2110, 8 October 1875, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The entertainment given by the Thames Amateur Dramatic Club last night at the theatre was a success both in the object the actors had in view—the benefit of Mrs Pearse—and the way in which the performance given for that object was from first to last enacted. In all, or j nearly all, amateur performances there are. some hitches, but these in the performance of last night were of so slight a nature as not to interfere with the general smoothness of the entertainment. It is always pleasant to be able to give praise conscientiously, and it is the more pleasasant in this case because the lasttime the same company played we were/ constrained to make remarks tho reverse of laudatory. Ou the present occasion, however, two of the chief defects \\e noticed then were certainly remedied,

for the actors were well up in their parts, and the scene shifting was satisfactorily got through. So much for the generality of the performance, which we repeat was good. As regards the drama, "Jenny Poster," and individual parts therein, we do not wish to particularise more than we can help. All tried their best, and when all did their best it is best for all to be content therewith, even though some characters were played in a way rather beyoad the bounds of legitimate acting. This remark, however, does not apply to Mr Loveday, who, though cast for that stage absurdity, a " British sailor," played and acted his part in a natural manner, and it is not too much to say that not a gesture was indulged in or a word spoken which might not actually have been spoken in real life. The part was successful because it was xeal. The same remarks apply to Mr 11. Anderson, who certainly eclipsed all his previous performances in this line, though a villain he was not a stage villain, aad his make up and enunciation entitle him to praise. Mr Scott made the most of a small part; Messrs Mason and Madden were " doubled " in minor characters, and Messrs Dixon and Hurfit in the low comedy .business supplied laughter both in season and out of it. The three ladies, whom we notice last simply because their names are last in the programme, played well and truly, and left little room for criticism and still less for fault. After-seeing the first appearance of Miss White we were certainly led to hope that it would not be the last. Miss Brookes fully maintained the high opinion we were led to form of her acting powers on her first appearance, and Miss Dixon as Jessy Bluebells played her part with spirit and applause. We must not forget to mention the song *• IS ever forget the dear ones" which Miss Brookes successfully introduced, ai.d in taking leave of " Jenny Foster " as a piece, we can only express a hope that the -actors found as mtich pleasure in acting it as we did in seeing it acted. The second part commenced with a capital gymnastic performance on the horizontal bar, Mr. Mas«>n bringing it to a close with the " grand circle " in the- most satisfactory manner. Miss Brookes and Miss White sang the duet "Juanita," and were encored, as were Messrs. Reed and Hurfit in their nigger song and dance. Mr J. Anderson performed on the high trapeze, and, though he certainly did his part well, yet we could not help wishing that his brother had been there with him, so successful have the two brothers always proved themselves. The farce of " Circus Dick" brought the performance to a conclusion, in which the actors deserve credit chiefly for the amount of bodily fatigue they went through, which must, we should say, have been considerable. The company may be fairly congratulated on their undoubted success. A dance followed the close.of the entertainment. We heard that the proceeds amount to £43 Bs, which sum may be still further augmented by tickets paid for but not used. The house was a capital one.