THEATER ROYAL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7442, 16 October 1889, Page 6

THEATER ROYAL.

AMATEUR PERFORMANCE. The first of the two performances projected in aid of the Destitute Patieote' Relief Fund and the Dow Fund by the amateurs taking part in the reeeftt successful Hunt Club theatrical performance, was Riven last nuzht at the Theatre Royal, when there was a large attendance. The first piece en the programme was W. S. Gilbert's mythological comedy of " Pygmalion and Galatea/ which, was performed some little time back so successfully in aid of the funds of the Hunt Claa. The cast was the same as before, end therefore a detailed notice is vftweoeeeary. It is satisfactory .to note, that the remarks made as to the background for the statue, as to the necessity for a darker color, were attended to, and the result was a decided improvement, the figure standing out in strong relief, and with far more marble-like effect than on the former occasion. There is just one point in connection with the part of Galatea which requires alteration, and that is where she descends]! from the pedestal. As played last night,?- the white wig worn by Mrs Alan Scott as the statue is discarded, and she appears in her own dark hair. This has a somewhat startling effect, and is also quite opposed to the idea of the author, inasmuch as the ilia* sion of the statue is destroyed, and the full effect of the keynote of the piecethat is, the transformation of the statue from senseless stone into a living breathing woman is, so to speak, lost by the change, most certainly the statue like appearance should be preserved, as if not it would Oβ bard for Daphne, Cnrysos, and Myrine to recognise Galatea the woman as Galatea the statue. This is a small detail, bat it must be remembered that the whole Chain of perfect acting consists in attention to small details, which go to make up a perfect whole. Mrs Alan Scott played Galatea throughout with that simplicity *nd anworldliness which is the charm of the character, and Miss Seager was, as on the former occasion, good as Cynisca, Mrs F. Graham made an excellent Daphne, and Miss Kiuibell was good as Myrine. Mr Alper.s modified his former . puurtrayal of. Pygmalion somewhat in j that he was more deliberate in his utterance, and lees orator like, but ; he erred at times iv the opposite direction from the former occasion, in that he was somewhat too formal. If he could hit the happy mean between the two impersonations be would be successful. The comedietta "Atchi" is one of those pieces which depends not so much upon the intrinsic merit of the piece itself—which it may here be said is somewhat above the ordinary run of pieces of the class—as upon bright, sympathetic acting on the part of the performers. By sympathetic acting is meant that playing up to each other by the various characters which goes so far to make the piece a thorough success. As this peculiar quality is one which is scarcely to be looked for in the fullest degree except from trained actors, that the piece last night was the success it was says a good deal for those engaged in it. Mists Rose Seasrer played the part of Lady May Duke with a finish and care which would have done credit to any professional lady, making all the points in the character very effectively. Miss Kirn bell as I&mily Hargrave ably supported Miss Seager. Mr Alpers was very good indeed in the foppish but good-hearted Lord Fickleton, and Mr E. JR. Anderson made a good deal of the jealous husband. Sir Martin. Altogether the piece went well throughout. The last piece was nicely dressed and well staged. The same bill will be repeated to-night.