A large and enthusiastic a0 greeted the Bandmann Comedy Company on the opening night of its season at the Lyceum Theatre last night, when Mr. Somerset Manghan's comedy, "Jack Straw", was presented with great success. "The piece had been performed in Shanghai daring the last it of the Bandmann Company just twelve won tha ago, and the. Jeast was practically the the exception that Mra, Heary Dallas made a welcome re-appearance on the boards of the Lyceam Theatre in the role of Mrs. Withers Miss Lilian Dandas appeared as Lady Wanley, and Mr. Edmond Granby, who was' formerly with the Bandmana Operatic Company, took the part of Court Adrian voe Brewer. The play was followed with keen interest throughout and the hum-oar was well emphasized and equally well appreciated by the audience.
In the first act, Arch- Duke Sel of Pomerania, aliae Jack Straw; isi troduced, in the guise of a waiter at the Grand Babylon Hotel, attending pon Lady Wanley and Ambrose Holland, immediately reengnized by 0 old friend. Lady has ongraciously snubbed the vicar's wife, Mra, Abbott (a friend of Lady Wanley). Jack Straw acquiesces in the scheme, the more readily because he has already met Miss Ethel Parkeronings and admires her, and cordingly introduced to the Parke in the act, as the -h-
Mrs, Parker-Jenniogs blited with the introduction and seeing in the supposed Dake a possible for her daughter, invites Jack Straw to them at their country house in Cheshire, In the second act, Jack Straw i lionized as the Arch-Doke until be is denounced by Holland and Lady Wanley, who have arrived at the opinion that j ran its course, and to id bomiliation, Mra, Parker Jennings agrees to let the deception continue, In the third sct the Pomeranian Ambaseador arrives on the scene straightens matters out by that Jack Straw is th Doke Sebastian, who has been travelling incognito for eoveral yea embarrassed by this declara the exception of Mrs, Parker-Jenoings, ho new that he wasa real Duke In the title role of Jack Straw"
Mr. Charles Vane was judiciously and acted well in accord, we sheld say, with the spirit of the author though be showed a tendency to slat hi rach Words and bad a rather quick delivery hie and expression, however, were admirable, Miss Lucy Beaumont, made a striking and well-deserved sac-coan as Mrs, Parker-Jeonings, " part in which she was so nataral as to conceal the art of an actress, The noting of Mr. Harry Neville (Mr. Parker-Jennings), Mr. E, Spencer Geach (Vincent Parker Jennings), Mr. Dooglas—Vigors_ (Ambrose Holland) and Mr. Gordon McLeod (Lord Serlo) was also of a high order trid Miss Blanche Forsythe quite opheld her reputation in the role of Mise Parker-Jenoings. The minor parts were capably portrayed and on al appearance the Company may be said to have crested an excellent impression.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.