  Since the first night, if hearsay evidence can be accepted, as I didn't see the premiÈre, Mr. Sugden must have immensely improved his Touchstone. He plays it now with much dry, quaint humour, and when I saw him in the part last week, every line told with a decidedly discriminating but appreciative audience. His scenes with that capital Audrey, Miss Marion Lea, and with William, were uncommonly good. I confess I was surprised. Mr. Bourchier—but now an amateur, now thus—gives Jaques' immortal speech of "All the world's a stage," in a thoroughly natural and unconventional manner, chiefly remarkable for the absence of every gesture or tone that could make it a mere theatrical recitation by a modern professional reciter at a pic-nic. Mrs. Langtry's Rosalind is charming, her scenes with Orlando being as pretty a piece of acting as any honest playgoer could wish to see. And what a pretty Lamb is she they call Beatrice who plays Phoebe! What a sweet, gentle, restful play it is! How unlike these bustling times! To witness this idyllic romance as it is put on at the St. James's, is as if one had stepped aside out of "the movement," had bid adieu for a while to the madding crowd, and had plunged into the depths of the forest of Arden, to find a tranquil "society of friends," among whom, under the greenwood tree, one can rest and be thankful. The Kan-Kan (-garoo) Dance The Kan-Kan (-garoo) Dance.I was curious to see how Alexander "the (Getting) Great" would comport himself as the hero of light farce, associated as he has always hitherto been with heroes of romance and high comedy. The theatre-going public and his admirers—the terms are synonymous—may breathe again. Alexander is surprisingly good as Dr. Bill, and the serious earnestness with which he invests the part intensifies the drollery of the complications. And to think that the adapter of this gay and festive piece should be none other than the sentimental troubadour, song-writer and composer, author of a Lyceum Tragedy and other similar trifles, Mr. Hamilton AÏdÉ!! "Sir," in future will Hamilton AÏdÉ say, when being interviewed by a Manager, "I will now read you my Five Act Tragedy entitled——" "Hang your tragedies!" will the Manager exclaim, "Give me a farce like 'Dr. Bill,' my boy!" And once more will the poet put his pride and his tragedy in one pocket, and all the money which the Comic Muse will give him in the other. I back the argumentum ad pocketum against the Tragic Muse. How capitally it is played! Miss Brough excellent; and so also is Mr. Chevalier, who entirely loses his own identity in his make-up, and is not to be recognised at all, save for a few mannerisms. Charming housemaid is pretty Miss Marie Linden; and the idiotic youth, George Webster, played by Mr. Benjamin Webster,—two Websters rolled into one,—is very funny. But they're all as good as they can be. I congratulate Alexander the (Getting) Great, who, for pecuniary reasons, I should like to be, were I not The Bitter Cry of the Dramatic Critic.'Tis the voice of the Critic I hear him complain, "One more afternoon! Fools! they're at it again! These dull MatinÉes! Wretched plays I must see! But, alas, 'tis no play, And there's no peace for me!" "Le Sport" in Bouverie Street.The excellent columns of "This Morning's News" in the Daily News the other day were endowed with fresh interest by an announcement made with respect to the Emperor of Austria. It runs thus:—
Every one has heard of "The Hunting of the Snark;" but this is the first time reference has been publicly made to the hunting of the Snipe. AT THE FIRST BOTANIC GARDEN SHOW. MARCH 26.Himantophyllums and Cyclamens were there to be seen, And some pretty baskets full of strawb'rries from Englefield Green. |
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