I do not know how long the Summer Season at TERRY's, now being carried
on by Mr. GEORGE EDWARDES, is to last, but with a little dexterous
management there is no reason why this excellent form of entertainment
should not go on all the year round. At 8 there is _The Lancashire
Sailor_, by BRANDON THOMAS, which I didn't see; but have heard a
first-rate report of it from those who have, and who "know." It might
occasionally change places with _A Commission_. However, this is but
a suggestion, as both the pieces I saw the other night will bear a
second visit.
_A Commission_ is a short one-act piece, with a sufficiently good
plot, and every part in it a character, except "_Parker_, the
Maid"--and here let me enter a solemn protest against the further use
of "PARKER" as the name of a lady's-maid in farce or comedy. PARKER is
played out. Let her be united to "CHARLES, his Friend," and let both
enjoy their well-earned retirement from the stage.
Miss LILY HANBURY plays "_Mrs. Hemmersley_, a rich young widow," which
cannot be described as "a poor part." With this LILY, who looks rich
and is beautiful, the poor artist--a very poor artist--one _Marshall_
(without a Christian name in the bill, so why not _Snelgrove
Marshall_?) well played by Dr. FORBES DAWSON, falls desperately in
love. WEEDON GROSSMITH is very good as the servant--almost better as
the servant than as the author of the piece, and that's saying a good
deal.
The _Pantomime Rehearsal is_ eminently funny; especially the first
scene between the four men, Messrs. ELLIOT, DANEMORE, GROSSMITH, and
BRANDON THOMAS. As for the last-mentioned, it is well worth a visit
to this theatre to see Mr. BRANDON THOMAS in two pieces, first as the
Model, and then as the Heavy Swell. It is a strong thing to say, but
I can call to mind no actor on the stage at the present moment who
could in two different characters on the same night so completely
and absolutely lose his identity,--for voice, manner, action, and of
course appearance are all utterly changed,--as does Mr. BRANDON THOMAS
as _Gloucester_ the Model, and as _Captain Tom Robinson_.
All the ladies are good. Miss HELENA DACRE looks magnificent. Then
Miss EDITH CHESTER combines prettiness with fun, and the duet between
her and clever Miss LAURA LINDEN is enthusiastically _encored_--and
deservedly so, for it is seldom that two young actresses will "go in"
for a real genuine bit of nonsensical burlesque, and win. In fact it
is all good, "and if our friends in front" will accept my tip, they
will not find a more "summery" form of entertainment than at Mr.
EDWARDES' TERRY's Theatre.