"IF."

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3124, 21 February 1879, Page 2

"IF."

There was a large and fashionable audience at the Theatre Boyal last evening! On the occasion of the peformance by the Stewart family of the Protean comedy "If; or an old gem reset." "If" may be classed in the same category as " Bainbow Bevels," and is well suited to exhibit the versatility of each of the talented artistes and the wonderful perfection to which they have brought the multitude of characters represented. Mr Stewart's best representations were those of an old ■Sailor, Paddy Wort, a brewer, and the "Marquis Millefleurs. All the characters were perfect, and caused unbounded merriment. Miss Docy as Octavia Minim • (a vocalist out of engagement), and several soenas from the operas of Lucretia Borgia and Lucia di Lammermoor, were rendered in a most polished manner, which won well-deserved plaudits from the audience. As Mrs Oakapple and Susan Tippings she was very amusing. Miss Maggie's most taking character was Columbia Cornshucks, a New York belle. _ The American intonation and slang in the young lady were most enter- . tailing. She sang a song incidental to the piece " Trotting in the Park." Her Sybilla Simpertoh, a lisping sentimental lady, was a skilful representation. Last, but not least, we come to Miss Nellie, whose .vivacious acting quite took the audience by storm, and occasionally brought down the house. Her burlesque representations are certainly superior to anything we have hitherto seen here. . Her dancing is •' the poetry of motion " par excellence, and her singing and acting are above mediocrity. In the character of Cinderella her dancing was exquisite, and her vivacious acting was loudly applauded. In the Dundreary character Lord FitzBlazington, she sang the " Union Jack of Old England, 1' and her other characters were very successful. At the conclusion, Mr Stewart announced that he would appear once more on the Thames, when the performance would be given in the Academy of Music.