Lydia Howarde's Troupe.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3786, 15 February 1881, Page 3

Lydia Howarde's Troupe.

This' well-known burlesque troupe opened last evening at the Academy of Music with Colville's well-known musical extravaganza " Kobinson Crusoe." Before commenting.on the performance, we would say that when people have been engaged in business duties dnring the day, and require some slight relaxation, they do not require a lengthy performance in which their close attention is necessary to unravel the complicated plot, butrather a piece containing legitimate fun and humour, and extravagant position* calculated to draw a smile even from the most stoical personage. In the burlesque we see the commonplace postures of low tragedians mimiced and satirised, and the frantic gestures of amateur actors imitated to perfection. The • plot of " Kobinson Crusoe " is of the simplest nature, but the great variety of extraneous aid in the way of songs, dances, and choruses amply make up for any deficiency in this respect. Miss Lydia Howarde, as Robinson Crusoe, was elegantly attired. A. number of people, who have more prudish notions thsal^ose prompted by real modesty, !mV»fcen condemning the scarcity of welfiiSg apparel in which the actresses - and^cfors were clothed, but by doing so they only betray the most culpable lgnorand, as it is well known that when so dressed they are merely lay &%*™a> and flhbuld.be considered in that light, or the same as the nude statues, and lightly clad pictures of goda and goddesses one gees in a picture gallery or Art Union. ♦•To^the pure all things are pure, and although lascivious minded people will say the dresses were indecent i there was nothing in last evening s performance which would be objectionable to the most fastidious. In her songs Miss IWdia Howarde confirmed the anticipation that she was a vocalist of the first water. Her son* at the commencement ot tne ■Scond act, "Sing Sweet Bird," was admirably rendered, the musical beauties piece being clearly brought out. Mr Leopold as Jem Cox was inimitable, and his antics caused roars of laughter The choruses were excellent, more especially the" Ding Dong Bell Chorus, from Les Cloches de Corneville, the marriage celebration chorus adapted t<y the music of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," and the "Sollicking Bun and the gay Sally Lunn," from the "Sorcerer, and "Nancy Lee,"m which Miss Lvdia Howarde took the solo in first class •fcvle \Mr Power, as "Friday,' was eood, and his "knowledge of these things" was most amusing. Miss Blanche Leopold made a good Captain, and Miss Andrews was good as roily Hopkins, while " Angelica was prettily impersonated, her song " Get away faeinz rendered in a most piquante manner Mr Watty Hydes accompanied on the'pifcnoV and snstained his reputation as ftn excellent pianist. This evening " Ivanhoe " will be presented.