Old residents must have been astonished to see that the Lyceum Theatre will hardly hold the ladies and children of modern Shanghai, even though all of them were not at Tuesday afternoon's performance. It was an ambitious task for one school, and that not a very large one, to undertake to present a fairy extravaganza in thyme, with incidental songs and dances, at the Lyceum Theatre; and not many of those who took tickets could have expected such a triumphant success, as that at which they assisted. The skeleton of the play, in which the dear old fairy tale was followed with commendable accuracy, had been clothed in local allusions by the skilful pen of Mr. Drummond Hay, who had also written topical songs. We may fairly mention his name now, as he came on and bowed to the audience, in response to a hearty call, when the curtain fell. The piece was excellently cast, and really capitally played; and small as many of the actors were, their voices were audible all over the house. Miss Edith Stewart made an adorable Beatity, and acted with the greatest self-possession and intelligence; and. the ungrateful reles of her haughty sisters, Myra, and Linda, were equally well filled by Miss Maud Williams and Miss Kate MacArthur. Moonbeam, the Fairy Queen, found a most capable, clever and clear-voiced representative in Miss Clara Croad, and the eleven fairies who obeyed her bidding with such implicit readiness, four with names-—Misses Bertha Limby, Edith Fowler, Florence Rogerson, and Hilda Dallas—and seven without, were just ae bright and pretty as they could be.
ter Adolph Sternseher was thoroughly at home in the part of Oscar, the merchant, and gave admirable emphasis to his lines while Master Walter Howard, as the Beast, was equally admirable in his first dress, and as the handsome Prince, and did his somersaults, and sang his humourous song, "T'm not quite so sure about that," as if to the manner born. Even the small parts of the pages were taken by Masters Ernest Hember and Herbert Laidler with much care and appreciation. The scenery reminded us a little of old times, but was quite adequate, and the dresses were very tasteful. The greatest praise is due to Mr. Drummond Hay and to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted him, for his management of the performance; and it must have been a pleasure to him to have to train so bright and willing a set of little actors and actresses. The intervals, which were numerous, were delightfully filled by the piano-playing of several of the wit] pupils, under the able superintendence of Miss Avice Silverthorne, and the selec tions, from the time-honoured Carnival de
Tine Dallas, to Ascher's Funfares Militaries, Venis, played a8 n solo by Miss Gwendoarranged for eight hands, and played by Miss Maud Williams, Miss Edith Stewart, Miss Gwendoline Dallas and Miss Avice Silverthorne, were thoroughly enjoyed. If it is ever wanted hereafter to get up a performance for a charitable object, it should be remembered that in the pupils of the Masonic School there is a galaxy of little actresses who will always delight a house, and need not fear that their effort will be only appreciated by their mi ate friends and relations. The on Tuesday afternoon was descry applause universal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.