AMUSEMENTS

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 49, 20 August 1881, Page 562

AMUSEMENTS

"Very clever, very amusing, but not enough of him." Such was the verdict of the cognoscenti after witnessing Mr Marshall's debut at the theatre on Saturday evening last, and, everything considered, we are inclined to coincide in it. ' ' Blow for Blow "is an undoubtedly strong play of its kind, and we can well understand that in Melbourne (where Mr Marshall is an established favoiuite), it never fails to draw a big house. The piece did not, however, seem a very good one for a new "star" to open in. What there is of Charley Spraggs is immensely funny, but he is by no means essential to the drama — in fact the characters of Charley and Kitty Wobbler might be eliminated altogether without materially impairing the coherency of the story. It says much for Mr Marshall's genius that (notwithstanding the little he had tod', and the -indifferent manner in which he was supported), he achieved a veritable trinmpli. Win Ist Charley Spraggs was on the stage the audience were kept in a prolonged titter of laughter. Moreover, the performance is one winch a fellow can look back wpon with complete satisfaction. Many low comedians make you laugh against your will. There is nothing really humourous in their grimaces, or their horseplay ; and afterwards you say to youself, " Whatever was there in that to giggle at?" This is notoriously the case with Edward Terry and other popular actors we could name, but not with Marshall. The memory of the bread and butter episode in the second act would make even the most, confirmed misanthrope smile, and there are several other scenes, the mere mention of which set one oft" giggling; inanely. Mr Marshall was wretchedly supported. Mr Elliott, Miss Tanner, and Miss Adelle acted passably, but Mr West, instead of representing John Druminond a.s a self-con-tained, moody, and revehgefnl man, ranted and raved like a transportine villain of the deepest "revenge — ha! ha!" dye. Miss Knight's Kitty lacked finish and also vivaety on Saturday evening, but improved subsequently ; and Mr Sefton deserves a word of praise for his Dr Grace. 'It was the best representation of the lot.