To the growing list of remarkable shows which local amateur actors have recently been producing must be added that presented on Wednesday by the A.D.C. of "Night Must Fall," at the Lyceum Theatre. Rarely has a better cast been selected, and not often has it acquitted itself so well as it did at the first performance. The honours go to Mr. W. H. Spring, Miss Joyce Middleton, and Mrs. Pat Merritt. Mr. Spring makes, it is believed, his first appearance on the loca) stage and his performance was for an amateur a veritable tour de force. Entrusted with a great deal of emotional acting, which the average amateur can so easily bungle, he at no time sounded a false note and his work was just about as polished as anything seen recently on the local stage. Much the same may be said of Miss Joyce Middleton who was not only excellently cast, but has shown, very considerable improvement since she last appeared in the Lyceum Theatre. He acting throughout was convincing, and she i most warmly to be congratulated on her per formance. Mrs. Merritt's character study of thr tyrannous old woman completely taken in by the suavity of the man who was to murder her gave a portrayal of fear in the last scene but one which was most thrilling, while the rest, of the cast, though they must remain unmentioned may rest assured that their efforts were well appreciated. It is indeed gratifying to watch this continued improvement in the quality of acting for which local amateurs are responsible. It is to be found not only in the productions for which the A.D.C. is responsible, but those which have been arranged by other talented groups of amateurs, and the question may be asked whether it is not the modified form o competition which is thus being offered whic!
bringing all that is best out of the talented people taking part. If that is the case it is all to the good, for there is undoubtedly taking place in Shanghai a greater appreciation of the legitimate stage than there has been for some years past. That will continue so long as such excellent fare as that provided in recent shows is continued, and it is to be hoped that the A.D.C. as well as the independent groups will persevere along the lines they are at present following, for in them is to be found the best means of furthering the art.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.