Well done, the A. D. C.! Their performance of Tom Taylor's romantic, pathetic, melodramatic, crib-cracking, head- (though not always side-) splitting play, was an admirable one, carefully rehearsed, well stage-managed, and played with a fine feeling for the capital situations in which the piece abounds. Especially good was Mr. Bromley-Davenport's Jem Dalton, a finished and truculent presentment of which any young amateur and many an old professional might be proud. Hawkshaw (Mr. Dickinson), too, was excellent, and the Bob Brierly of Mr. Thornton, the Sam Willoughby of Mr. Theobald, the Green Jones of Mr. Norman, and the Maltby of Mr. Martineau, were all good in their several ways. As for the ladies—but who does not know the A. D. C. ladies, those visions of female loveliness, with big hands bass voices, and projecting knees? Mr. Agar, whose waist cannot have really measured more than twenty inches round, was refined and charming as Emily St. Evremond, while Mr. Cornish, though taller than most of his male associates, played May Edwards quietly, and sympathetically. Mrs. Willoughby, the stage realisation of Arthur Sketchley's Mrs. Brown, had full justice rendered to her garrulous good-nature by Mr. Stone. But enough. It was a good performance. Memories came floating back of a notable performance of this same play by the A. D. C. far back in the remote ages between '70 and '80. The Bob Brierly of those days has been Under-Secretary of State for India, Hawkshaw, the Detective, occupies a thorny throne as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, while Jem Dalton has become the Burglar at the Court Theatre—a very natural transition. Very great was Mr. Brookfield fifteen years ago as the Cracksman, but great, also, was Mr. Bromley-Davenport last week. Dixi! |