The sixty-ninth performance by the Amateur Dramatic Club of Shanghai took place at the Lyceum on Wednesday, 22nd inst. The members of the Corps have long contemplated the production of the comedy named above, but have hitherto been deterred by the overwhelming difficulties attending the representation of one of the master-pieces of the English stage. Fears had been entertained that these would prove insurmountable, but the undoubted success achieved on Wednesday not only effectually demonstrated that the A.D.C. were underrating their powers, but afforded grounds for the hope that this last triumph willincite the members to further ambitious efforts of a similar nature. As we presume that the plot of the piece is well-known to all our readers, we shall not occupy space with a recital of it, Mrs. Fairofer made a most piquant Miss Hardcastle, and sustained the role with a vivacity that knew no flagging; The alternation from the sentimental versation with the abashed Marlow to the off-hand mauner while simulating the barmaid was a fine study, and the pretended emotion which brings Slarlow on his knees in the third act put a fitting climax toa succession of triumphs. The banter of her lover after the discovery of the imposition could not have been better done.
Mrs. Troy's Miss Neville was a very remising piece of acting, and this lady as shown a talent for the boards which we lupe to have many more opportunities of discussing. The part is a dificult one, more especially for an amateur, but the moral platitudes with which the dialogue abounds were delivered with an aplomb deserving of every praise.
Miss Dora Monday, the paragon of old women, surpassed herself as Mrs, Hard-castle, and made a perfect picture of the vain, tine, old country lady plagued wich a dear, sweet, pretty, provoking, undutiful boy. Her bye-play was exceedingly good, in the letter scene particularly, and we have never seen this veteran actress to better advantage than throughout the evening.
Charles Marlow, the hero of the piece, was most carefully acted by Mr. Long. In his first interview with Miss Hardcastle he was certainly very good, but in the second act a more sprightly eye and mien would have done better justice to the part, as the Agreeable Rattle" was rather heavy. It would be well, too, if Adr. Long would not take the stage in two strides; it is hardly compatible either with comfort or elegance.
Mr, Roy made a fair Hastings. Hardly effusive enough, perhaps, for the fair Constance, especially on the eve of leaving her in the clutches of Aunt Pedigree, when it seemed a matter of comparative indifference to him whether she went or stayed. Fie, Mr. Hastings! and after Perish the baubles Your person is all I desire Hardcastle pive was well filled by Mr. Belmore, who played steadily throughout and was particularly good in the cup scene where the two young men finish the bowl between them and ignore his presence the play here was perfect comedy. There might have been a little more dignity, all through the part, with advantage, and a somewhat less fidgety deportment would, we think, have rendered the interpretation more perfect. The old-fashioned English gentleman seemed sometimes almost to forget, in his annoyance at the conduct of his guests, that he really was their host, in spite of their apparent vagaries. tion of tricks and misdiet, was taken by The part of Tony Lumpkin, the incarna-Mr. C. Ayre, and we were pleased to see this gentleman in a character which seemed to suit him better than those he has previously essayed. Mr. 0. Ayre made aratiier gentlemanly Tony, and was scarcely the boor that Goldamith drow, but it is difficult to draw the line, and it was far wiser to stop rather short than to overdo it. Mr.
Ayre's part is really a most difficalt one to represent, and the Corps is to be congratulated upon having secured the services of an actor who can represent so worthily this inimitable creation.
Many of those who undertook small parts acquitted themselves extremely well, and showed that they had bestowed care on the little they had to do. All this added 4 great deal to the success of the representation, as nothing so spoils the general effect upon the audience of the acting of any play, than to have their attention distracted, or their interest in what is going on before them checked, by carelessness on the part of those who think their parts unworthy of attention and care. Amateurs cannot be too forcibly reminded that every part should be dono with all the ability that can be brought to bear on it. It is as necessary to the perfect representation of a play that the minor parts should be well done, as it la that the small parts of an engine should be in as good condition as the large ones.
We have especially to commend the Sir Charles Marlow and Stingo of Messrs. Wynn and Grove, which gave token of a Jong acquaintance with the boards, and a
In the ale-house scene, Mr. Valiant, as Mat promise of better things in the hereafter. Muggins, and Mr. Bakewell, as Jack Slang, especially distinguished themselves, and added not a little to its good effect.' But in some cases, the proper character of the low class follows with whom the youthful squire was discovered spending a convivial evening was not maintained, and their mode of speaking was more suggestive of the drawing-room than the pot-house. The servants, from Diggory downwards, were excellent, and none of the fun of the scene where they are instructed in their duties was lost. It is satisfactory to be able to predict that among some of those who did small parts on Wednesday, the Corps has obtained an accession to their rauks of useful and able actors which has been badly needed. Miss Tessex looked very nice as the servant maid, but a little more attention to a correct and lively rendering of the part would have been advantageous.
"She Stoops to Conquer" is a very long play, and though most commendable promptitude was shown in shifting the scenes and long and wearisome intervals between the acts wisely avoided, it was just midnight when the curtain fell, ut it is safe to say that not one among the audience felt the least weary of the piece. From first to last all went as smoothly as if the comedy was being played for the fiftieth instead of the first time; the prompter's voice was unheard, and so well had every one—principal actors and supers—boen drilled in their situations, entrances and exits, that it was a real enjoyment to witness the piece, The audience were not very demonstrative, it is true, but there is no doubt that they thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed every line of this capital comedy. To add to the success of the acting, the piece was splendidly mounted, and the old-fashioned parlour in Mr. Hardcastle's house was so pretty and appropriate, that Mr. Thalasses, the artist to whom it was due, was called to the front by the pleased audience to receive their well-deserved applause. All the other scenes were extremely good also; the dresses were as near perfection as is possible in this far-off place, and the representation generally reflects' the highest credit on the stage manager and those who assist him in his arduous duties.
Through the kindness of Captain Olleros, the band of the Dofia Maria de Molino was in attendance and played before the curtain rose and between the first and second acts, but owing to the ability with which matters were arranged on the stage, the interval between the second and third acts was too short to admit of the band playing for the third time, as was originally intended, We can most sincerely congratulate the A.D.C. on a thorough success, and in the record of their labours the sixty-ninth performance should stand pre-eminent. All we can add now is the wish that the 'A.D.C. will lose no time in giving us another piece of equal merit; that they have talent among them to do justice to, whatever good play they selects undoubted,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.