Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1813, 24 October 1874, Page 2

Amusements.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC. When an entertainment is given for any purpose, charitable, or in other respects commendable, the great feature to be considered is that the attendance should be good, riot that the performers should so excel themselves as to " compare favorably with any of the professionals who have visited the district." In the allimportant consideration of attendance, then, the entertainment given last night in aid of the funds of the Thames Cricket Club, was a complete success : the house j was crowded, and the proceeds should be considerable. The comic drama " Betsy Baker " was the opening piece, and the several characters in it were ,well imper--sonated, when it is remembered that the actors were amateurs. This was followed by a musical melange, in which Mr. Macgregor sang " A Father's Love," and Mr. Davy " The Scout " —both of which songs were rendered excellently. Mr. Davy especially deserved the applause which he received, and which, indeed, was most impartially bestowed during the evening. It is somewhat difficult to report upon the " thrillingly-interesling and tragically-striking burlesque," " Lord | Lovcl and Lady Nancy Bell," because though in point of true merit the acting was not of a very high order, yet the comicality of the thing wa3 most extraordinary. Where, in certain pieces, an over display of angular proportions, and a general stiffness of joints would mar the effect, in this case it made the "hits" more noticeable. Mr. Eobinson sustained his part as. Lord Lovel very well, and knew his part, a most important matter which appeared to have been looked upon by some as of little consequence. This is a mistake. Mr. Paul as the "Bounding Brigand "played his part with effect. If we omit an almost imperceptible appearance of weakness in his knee-joints on first making his appearance, he waa a perfect marvel of ferocious villainy. Mr. Russell's impersonation of Baron Billy was excesively comical, his bye-play being of that description which is not studied, but perfectly natural. Mr. Frederick Smith and Mr. J. Whitford were brigands of different degrees of importance, and lent not a little to the general air of slaughter and rapine that pervades the piece, inasmuch as the latter gentleman's chief business seemed to consist in seeking for revenge, in the pursuit of which he rushed across the stage whenever an opportunity offered, followed by the second brigand, whose duty appeared to be to do all that the first brigand did, with as much regard to detail as might be. The other parts were really well performed. It must be mentioned that Miss Laura Wiseman kindly undertook the role of Lady Nancy. To this young lady the other amateurs are vastly indebted, since she contributed largely to the success of the entertainment ; also to Miss Manning, whose acting in the opening comedy displayed real " unprofessional" talent.