The Colonies and India from London, Greater London, England • Page 18

16 THE COLONIES AND INDIA Nov. 14, 1891 DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE. Mr. Alexander's managerial judgment does not appear to be as fully matured as his histrionic talent, and, indeed, it is natural that it should not be. His second venture at the Avenue, 44 The Struggle for Life," was a conspicuous failure, and now, after producing pieces as full of merit as Sunlight and Shadow and 44 The Idler," he has descended to a very commonplace level in the improbable and stale plot of 44 Lord Anerley," the 44 new piece by Miss Hamilton and Mark Quinton.

The story is little better than that of the novel in penny numbers of former days: there is the ttrange resemblance between two men otherwise unconnected, there is the coincidence that causes the one to be killed at the feet of the other in a distant land and away from witnesses, there is the vengeful woman who knows the secret of tha imposture, childish still is the proof turning up in the last act that, after all, the impostor is the 44 loDg lost heir" fact which appears to whitewash all his lies and meannesses in a moment. It need scarcely be added that the actors are too good for this play, fcr Mr. Alexander has one of the best companies in London round him, and every one of the conventional, uninteresting characters was admirably played. Mr. Alexander made a picturesque figure of the impostor himself, and portrayed his growing remorse as well as the authors would let him.

Miss Marion Terry had little to do except in one affecting scene, admirably touched. Mr. Herbert Waring did his best to render the villain natural and impressive, and to a great extent succeeded Mr. Nutcombe Gould, always in his element as aristocratic old men, gave a really excellent picture of the blind old father; and Miss Gertrude Kingston, as the revengeful Spanish dancer, was perhaps seen to greater advantage than any one of the performers, probably owing to the fact that her style borders more nearly on over-accentuation, and suits better with a melodramatic piece. The play is well put upon the stage, as is the case with every play produced by Mr.

Alexander, the set of the Corral near Buenos Ayres being specially pretty and effective. To this fact and the excellence of the acting must be attributed the applause with which the piece was applause which may perhaps be an indication that 14 Lord Anerley will attain some popularity, for there is undoubtedly an audience always to be found for the crudest melodrama, but which does not prevent one from regretting that Mr. Alexander should lay himself out for this audience, and depart from the high standard aimed at in his last two productions. Mr. Murray Caison has made a good beginning at the Globe, and might be hopeful, even if he had taken the theatre for a longer time than the ehort season to which he has pledged himself.

14 Gloriana has been taken by Mr. James Mortimer from a French original, and he has made out of it a very amusing piece, with less of the ordinary farcical elements and more of the spirit of true comedy than is often seen now-a-days io productions of this class. Not that the plot is more substantial than is usual with the three-act farce it is of the lightest and airiest, and neither the glibly mendacious husband, nor the exchange of personality between master and man or maid and mistress, can be called new and original features, but the scenes to which the story gives rise are more in the spirit of comedy than of farce, and the characters are well and clearly drawn. The cast, too, is a good one, if not quite first-rate, and should certainly contribute towards a well-deserved success, if only people can be persuaded that a gooel thing is to be found out of their favourite houses. Mr.

Vernon is excellent as a Russian, and Mr. Harry Paulton capitally suited as a tanner from Birmingham, while Mr. Lestocq is very amusing as the valet who changes place with his master, and Miss Florence West and Miss Lydia Cowell keep the humour going as the mistress and the maid. The audience was perhaps somewhat taken by surprise, for it was not enthusiastic, and the welcome given to this really amusing comedy contrasted curiously with the boisterous reception accorded to Mr. Alexander's old-fashioned experiment at the St.

James'. Notwithstanding the unanimous condemnation by the critics of every journal of importance, Mr. Jones has determined not to alter a word in his and is putting it forward as a success. Indeed, it is said to be attracting large houses, and no doubt curiosity and Air. Jones' reputation will attract many.

Whether they will repeat their visit, or advise their friends to go, remains to be seen. Mr. Jones, at any rate, shows courage in sticking to his opinions and iisking his money, and should be given due credit for that quality. At the Shaftesbury, 44 Cavalleria Busticana is still running before crowded and appreciative audiences, a satisfactory condition of thinps, thoroughly well deserved by Signor Lago. The opera itself is full of merit, while its representation seems to be perfect.

Mdlie. FJandi scores heavily in Ihe part of while Mdlle. Brema and Miss Grace Damiati are a'so excellent. Signor Brombara as Alfio and Signor Franoe-co as Turiddu have become highly popular with the Shaftesbury patrons, and, altogether, Signor La go's enterprise has succeeded admirably. Mas cage is Second Opera, "L'Amico Fritz," lias been an even greater success than 14 La Cavalleria Kusticana," and at its production in Home the other day the composer was called 33 times before the curtain.

The sudden rise of this young composer to fame and fortune from poverty bordering on sLarvaliou is full of romance, and a story is circulated that his exclamation on hearing or his success was, Now I shall be able to buy my wife anew dre To-night a New Comedietta will be produced at the Opera Comique, to mark the 50th night of 44 The American." It is by Mr. Eille Norwood, and is called 44 Hook and Eye." 1 he Shakespeare Beading Society will give a costume recital of 44 Measure for Measure at the Ladbroke Hall on November 18v Hr. Henry Irving is the president of the society, and the perfoim- ance will be under the patronage of Lord Tennyson, Lady Martin, and other distinguished persons. Mr. J.

W. Boulding whose play written in conjunction with Mrs. Lancaster Wallis, 44 Wife and State," will shortly be revived by the latter, has also written a new modern piece in three acts called 44 The Gambler," which will shortly be produced at a special evening: performance. Mr. Sutton Vane has written a new three-act musical farce called 44 The Left Twin," which will be produced by Mr.

St. John Denton, with Miss Rose Dearing in the principal part. Le Voyage en Suisse," with the famous antic-performers, the- Brothers Kenad, is to be shortly brought to England for a provincial tour by Mr. Mulholland, who was much struck with the performance in Paris Mr. Murray Carson, during his tenancy of the Globe, will produce at a matinee a new four -act play by Mr.

Sylvanus Dauncey, Mr. H. A. Jones' brother, in which Mr. Lewis Waller will appear.

Mr. Robert Soutar took his benefit last week at the Gaiety, when, besides an act of 44 The Times and of 44 Godpapa and "The Ballad Monger," the tavern scene in 44 The Ticket of Leave was- given, with Mr. Soutar in his original part of Green Jones, and with Mr. Henry Neville and Mr. Harwood Cooper also in their old roles, Bob Brierly and Maltby.

The scene went very well, and Mr. Soutar and his well -known chuckle were cordially welcomed. Miss Grace Warner will give a matinee on November 18, when she will appear in Charles Beade's 41 Dora and io. two acts of 44 The Lady of Lyons." In the former Mr. Charles Warner will be Farmer Allen, and in the latter Mr.

Lewis Waller will appear as Claude. The actors and managers of London presented the Prince of Wales with a gold cigarette box on Monday fiftieth birthday. Ihe Revival of "Aftar Dark" at the Princess' is a matter of more moment to the particular audiences that frequent this theatre in the cheaper parts of the house than to the public in general. The piece is a good average melodrama, rather skilfully put together, and adequately put on the stage; the characters are roughly effective, and some of them roughly amusing but it is, of course, not now a novelty, and the great sensation scene, which was formerly- enough to make the fortune of the piece, does not astonish our sophisticated minds nowadays, though it is doubtless as well managed as it was in old not better. The cast has the advantage of such names as Mr.

Henry Neville, Mr. Abingdon, Mr. Wilfred Shine, and Mr. Bedford, not to mention pretty Miss Ella Terries, who has not, however, much to do and no doubt the production will answer the purpose for which it was put on the stage, and interest large audiences until the approach of Boxing Day makes a change of bill desirable. It is reported that large offers have been made to Mr.

Henry Irving to fulfil a four months' engagement in Australia. THE THEATRES. The Trumpet Call," at 8. 1 The Crusaders," at 8.30 (Saturday at 3). 41 Godpapa," at 0 (Saturday at 3).

at 9. Covent Opera, at 8. 'Miss Decima," at 8.45 (Saturday at 3). Drury A Sailor's Knot," at 8. 44 Joan of Arc," at 8.30 (Saturday at 3).

44 School," at 8 (Saturday at 2.30). Gloriana," at 8.30. 41 The Dancing Girl," at ,8 (Saturday at 2). 41 La Cigale," at 8.1.1 (Saturday at 2.30). New Royal Divorce," at 7 .45 (Monday and Wednesday at 2.30).

Opera 44 The American," at 8.1 (Saturday at 2.30; Wednesday The Liar," at 2 30). Prince of The Planter," at 0 (Saturday at 3). Dark," at 7 .15 (Wednesday and Saturday at 2.15). -Royal English. Opera 44 The B.isoche and 14 Ivanhoe on alternate evenings at 8 (Saturday at 2).

Monday) Fauvette," at 8. St. Lord Antrley," at 8.30 (Saturday at 2.30). 44 The Nautch at 8.30 (Saturday at 2.30). Shaftesbury.

Italian Of em, at. 8. The Late Lamented," at 8 .45 (Saturday at 2.30). The Times," at 8 (Saturday at 2.30). Triple Bill, at 8.15.

BOLTS FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS, EACH, I U.V.1 1.1.1 E. 38 MORTIMER STREET, LONDGNa 'on LISTS 1'isei. INTS. EA01L.