Academy of Music.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4916, 11 October 1884, Page 2

Academy of Music.

" THE OCTOROON."

There was a good attendance at the Academy of Music last night to witness the production of the above grand spectacular drama, by Dion Boucicault, the occasion being Miss Lawrence's benefit, and had the weather not been so exceedingly boisterous and wet, ye have no doubt there would have been a bumper house. The piece was well staged, and the representation of the cane-brake was so good that Mr "Shiels was called oat to acknowledge the compliment paid him by the audience. Of the performers it can truthfully be said that all had excellent conceptiocs of their parts, and the numerous bursts of applause and roars of laughter testified to the satisfaction of the audience. Miss Lawrence appeared in the title role of the octoroon g:rl Zoe, and played most naturally throughout; Mr Balfe looked and acted the villain McOlosky, and Monsieur Jollie was very good ss the Indian chief Wahno-tee, the fight between these two, ending in the death of the murderer, McClosky, being most realistic. Mr Eede was in his element as the peripatetic Yankee, Salem Scudder; Pete, the old nigger, found a most laughable delineator in Mr J. Wilkinson; and Mr Simmonds deserves credit for his impersonation of Greorge Peyton. Miss Johns, as Dora Sunnyside, Miss Duke as Widow Peyton, and Miss "Wyatt, as the quadroon boy Paul, also deserve a word of praise. Tonif»ht the emotional drama of "Lady Audley's Secret," and the sparkling burlesque of " Ciuderella " are announced, and will no doubt attract a full house, both pieces having been well received when previously played here.