Our American Cousin.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2965, 16 August 1878, Page 2

Our American Cousin.

At the Academy of Music last night the i comedy with the above name, which has ' been tendered famous by the prominence ] given to.tho character of Lord Dundreary i by Mr Sothern, was produced by Mr | Lytton Sothern, assisted by lady amateurs, j members of the Cricketers Amateur Dra- j matic Club and other gentlemen who have ere now given their services on the stage. The comedy was very nicely played, considerable care having been exercised to mount it appropriately. Of course the central figure in the dramatis personse was Lord Dundreary. Not having seen Mr Sothern pere we cannot judge of Mr Lytton Sothern's impersonation by comparison with, the former but it must be conceded that he gives a very perfect representation of what one would conceive was intended in the creation of the character, and was immeasurably superior to some veteran actors we have seen in the part. The points were excellently brought out; therejwas a naturalness about it that could "scarcely be expected in such a character, which.is, of course, overdrawn and therefore unnatural. The bed-room scene, and the reading of the letter from " Bwotha Sam" were provocative of much mirth. Indeed all through the interest and amusement never flagged. We can conscientiously accord a great deal of praise to the amateurs who so creditably supported Mr Sothern. The ladies dressed the parts most appropriately, and the drawing room scenes were much more effective than is frequently the case when a company of professionals are playing. Mrs W. H. Reed (whom we saw in comedy for the first time) dressed and made up as Mrs Mountchessington very faithfully, and was dignified in demeanour as became the character. Miss Laura Wiseman was well suited as the vivacious young lady Georginaandplayed withher usual verve. Miss Mason seemed adm'rably suited for the part of Florence Trenchard. and acted with grace and ease, being as usual intimate with the text. Miss Hunter played the pare of Mary Meredith with a real appreciation of its requirements, and sang very sweetly two verses of a very pretty song. Mr Sell, amongst the gentlemen, claims notice for his really creditable rendition of a difficult part—that of the generous American Cousin, Asa Trenchard. Mr ..Cloonan made up well as Binney, a butler with a taste for drink, and acted as well he dressed the part. Mr 8. Young made as much of the valet, Buddicombe, as could be expected of an amateur after a short rehearsal, and as a foil of Dundreary rendered good service in bringing out some of the best points. There was, however, rather too marked a contrast between the colour of his wig and whiskers. Mr Burgess' part, Sir Edward Trenchard, was cut down so much as to be quite insignificant, but what was left of it was well done, and the same may be said of Mr H. Blake's Abel Murcott. As a performance it was greatly successful and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. It will be repeated to-night for the benefit of the widows and families of three men recently drowned by the capsizing of the Colombo, and to-morrow night "David Garrick " will be produced, which is one of the most delightful of modern Gomedies, and one in which, we gather from contemporaries, Mr Sothern appears to great advantage.