The Ticket of Leave Men.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2844, 27 March 1878, Page 2

The Ticket of Leave Men.

The above well-known populrr drama was produced on the boards of the Theatre Bojfl last evening before a large and fashionable audience by the members of the Thames Cricketers' Amateur Dramatic Club and others, it being a complimentary benefit to Mr T. A. Bell. The performance gave evidence of much careful preparation, as it may be i ■aid with truth that it went off without; a single hitch. The plot of the play is ! too well known to require any explanation | from us. Mr T. A. Bell played the part \ of Robert Brierly, the Ticket of Leave ; Man, and played it well, thoroughly dopiciing the warm-hearted, dispirited Lan* cashire lad. Miss Hunter's rendering of the part of May Edwards was most unaffected and natural, and though the character admits of no very great display of histrionic ability, the emotional passages were extremely well sustained. Mr H. S. St. Paul's representation cf the cunning old rogue Melter Moss took immensely with the audience, while Mr, W. Curtis was really good as Mallby the sordid publican. The part of Hawkshaw, the clever detective, was played in Mr J. Whit ford's usual good style, his appearance in the disguise of the navvy leaving nothing to be desired. Mr Cloonan made bis appearance as. Sam Willougbby, and played it with a true conception of the part. Mr McLean's make up and acting of the garrulous old grand dame Mrs Willoughby was very good for a debutant, and created great amusement. Mr Burgess, with his usual success, played the part of Downey alias Tiger, the wily tool of Melter Moss, and Mr G; A. Burgess did justice to the small walking gentleman's part of Mr Gibson the bill broker. The sceuie arrangements had been well attended to, the scenes of Bellvue Gardens and the St. Nicholas Churchyard being particularly striking. Mr R. A. B. Owen played the music when required. The whole affair was an undoubted success, and great credit is due to ell concerned in its performance.