The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Terry ' s . —The parvenu has many a time and oft been the butt of the satirist , though generally the persons represented have been of one class—vulgar , nnedncaUd and objectionable , with perhaps a soft spot in their hearts ; but Mr . A . W . Pinero has given us another ¦ peoimen , from whom it is nut altogether possible to withhold onr sympathy . Mr . Bom pas . a successful draper , is a man of fair education

and has made his fortune , with whioh he desires to enter " Sooisty . ' He is , at the opening of the play , Peroy Egerton-Bompas , Esq ., M . P ., and almost at the height of his ambition , when he ia suddenly overwhelmed by an inoident that threatens to demolish him . His son and heir , when he expects to cement the proud position by a wealthy and aristocratic alliance , marries the daughter of a lodging house keeper ,

and it is to keep this " disgrace" from the world that the action of the play springs . Beryl Bompas is engaged to Lord Lurgashall , but her father is afraid the matoh will be broken off if the trnth be known , so his daughter-in-law and her mother are introduced as aristooratio connections , and all goea well till the bubble bursts . The discovery ia made by the McShane , M . P ., the political opponent of Bompas , who

threatens to expose him unless he joins the Home Rule Party . "The poor man ' s degradation is complete , and he sees the futility of his ambitions projeots . The writing of the piece is altogether good , and as the book may be purchased in the theatre , it will well repay a private perusal . Mr . Edward Terry is seen at his best as Bompas , and whether we sneer at his pretensions , or rejoice at his downfall , we

cannot but feel pity for the man . A new stage oharaoter , in the per son of the Hon . Montague Trimble , an impecunious aristocrat , who introduces Bompas into Sooiety for a consideration , is admirably sustained by Mr . Elliot . Miss fanny Brough as Mrs . Bompas exhibits considerable skill , Mr . H . V . Esmond is amusing as tha son , and Miss Annie Hill plays prettily as Beryl . The parts of Mrs .

Hooley and her daughter are well represented by Misses Leighton and Barradel , while Mr . Fred Thome aa the McShane , and Mr . W . T . Lovell as Viscount Lurgashall make the most of their respective characters . The four aots are played in a single scene , representing the elegant drawing room in Mr . Bompas' house , which ia a marvel of stage deooration .

Royalty . —Mr . Herberte-Baaing is certainly a most enterprising manager , and , aver on the look oat for attractive novelties , he has been the means of introducing to a London audience Messager ' a comic opera " Fauvette , " whioh has proved popular in the provinoes for some time past . This is not at all surprising , for the story is interestingly romantic , while the musio light and pretty , many of the

mwceaue being moat melodious . Pierre and Joseph being drawn for the conscription axe sent to fight the Arabs , leaving their sweethearts Fauvette and Zelie behind them . Fauvette is taken in hand by St . Angenor , a broken down tenor , and becomes a famous singer , while in process of time Pierre is raised to the rank of lieutenant , and Joseph also distinguishes himself by a fortunate discovery that saves

himself from destruction . Subsequently Fauvette falls into the hands of the Arab Chieftain , but is finally rescued by Pierre , after some exoiting adventures , and Zelie is also restored to her lover . Mr . Hairy Child does full justice to the tenor songs allotted to Pierre , bat may be recommended to study the acting side of the character . Mr . Horace Lingard is an admirable Joseph , and becomes the life of

the piece . Miss Florence Burns and Miss Belle Harcourt render the musio of Fauvette and Zelie in a most artistic manner , and thoroughly merit the applause bestowed upon them . The Arab Ahmed is capitally sustained by Mr . Westlake Parry , and Mr . W . H . Rawlings causes St . Angenor to be highly amusing . Messrs . Fuller , Allen and Burgoyne also deserve mention . The chorus is well trained , and

give due effeot to the several tuneful numbers , while the orchestra , under the able baton of Mr . Mclnnes , is well np to the mark . Although the engagement terminates this evening , we venture to think and hope that this pretty opera will shortly be reproduced upon some larger metropolitan stage . It is certainly woll worth seeing and hearing .

Egyptian Hall . —Messrs . Maskalyne and Cooke were not loog before they took advantage of the Theosophy craze , and to show that it was possible to do as clever thiogs as the Mabatmas are credited with , they produced a new illusion , entitled " Oh ! " the joint invention of Mr . Nevil Maskelyne and Mr . Charles Morritt , with a few hints by Mr . J . N . Maskelyne . To say that this latest illusion or

trick—for that is what Mr . Maskelyne hiraBelf describes it—is a clever one is inadequate ; it is simply marvellous . That any human being could possibly be spirited away while strapped to a chair and held by members of the audience is scarcely credible ; but that is what is being done twioe daily at the " Hall of Mystery . " We will try and explain the working of this allusion , bat we have no

pretension to say how it is brought about . A number of gentlemen from the audience are invited to go on the stage , and by a show of hands two of these are selected to represent the audience . A chair is then placed in the centre of the platform , snrrounded by four brass poles . Mr . Maskelyne next calls in the aid of Mr . Charles Morritt , and another member of hia oompany : the latter is requested to seat

himself in the chair , with his legs up . The two judges then strap his ankles to the chair , while a cord is strapped round one wrist and passed through a pulley over the top of a framowork , while one of the gentlemen on the stage holds it tight . This being securely done , a ourtain is let down to within two feet of the ground and the other hand of the disappearing man is thrust through a hole , which the

second gentleman on the stage is requested to hold on to as firmly as possible . The curtain is then allowed to drop to the ground , for a quarter of a minute ; it is then palled np again , to enable Mr . Maskelyne to place a sheet of iron under the chair , and a like piece over the top . All being in readiness the one gentlemen holdiug the cord which is fixed to the disappearing man ' s hand , and the other holding

The Theatres, &C.

the hand thrust through the ourtain , the covering ia now allowed to drop to the ground , and then Mr . Maskelyne , asking if all is safe ? simply stamps his foot and says , " Go . " Tho band ia wrenched away , the cord falls loose , the ourtain goes np , and , presto , the man is gone , shortly afterwards to be seen walking in at the aide of the hall . This

is what we saw of the trick , and we feel bound to say it is the most astonishing feature of its kind we have yet seen . Mr . Maskelyne and all concerned are to be heartily congratulated . Daring the evening Mr . Morritt performs some marvellous trioka with the otrds ,

while Mr . Maskelyne is as busy as ever making hia five plates and s > large bason spin at the same time . Mr . Francois Cramer manipulates the automatio orchestra to great effeot , while the entertainment ia brought to a successful finish by the performance of a sketch , wherein other marvels are shown .

THE STANLEY SHOW O * CYCLES . —The Half . orown admission to the Crystal Palace will be abolished on the two Saturdays of the Show , 28 th November and 5 th December , the admission being One Shilling eaoh day . The Show opens on Friday next , and , aa usual , will occupy the vast space in the Grand Central Nave and Transept ,

as well aa the various Courts . Over 1500 maohinea will be exhibited by some 320 exhibitors . The entries include a vast number of new tyres . An important feature of the Show will be a special stand for inventors . The Show is duly certified by the Board of Trade , under the provisions of the Patents , Designs , and Trade Marka Act 1883 .

This Aot provides for the publication of any description of the invention during the period of the Exhibition , or the use of the invention for the purpose of the Exhibition , by any person elsewhere without the privity or consent of the inventor , without

prejudicing the right of the inventor to apply for and obtain provisional protection , and a patent within six months of the opening of the Exhibition . The right of application for registration of designs ia also proteoted by thia Aot for a period of six months from the opening of the Exhibition .

We are glad to announce " The American " is doing good baaioea * at the Opera Comique . Although not what we may call a thoroughly sound piece , it has " oaught on , " and we trust it will continue successful for some time to come . Mr . Edward Compton and his oompany work well , and deserve the applause that is nightly bestowed upon them .

Mr . Arthur Williams , by permission of Mr . George Edwardea , opens for a week , from 23 rd November , at the Parkhurat Theatre , in J . W . Pigott ' s oomedy , the " Bookmaker . " He will be aupported by the following artists : —Misses Nellie Murray , Lilian Secoombe , and Marie Dagmar ; Messrs . George T . Minshall , Reginald Stockton , Walter Russell , E . Webster-Lawson , W . B . 0 . Harrison , Arthur Leyahon .

Bro. Charles Collette At Spalding.

BRO . CHARLES COLLETTE AT SPALDING .

THE little town of Spalding was en fe ~ tc on Thursday night , the occasion being the visit of Bro . Charles Collette , the popular comedian , who had been announced to give his famous entertainment , " Collette at Home , " at the Exchange Hall , in aid of the Masonio Charities . Bros . Giles , Ham and H . Watkinaon , the promoters of the entertainment , have every reason to be satisfied with the result

of their labours . Loog before the commencement of the performance the hall was crowded in every part , the brethren mustering in great force . Bro . Collette ' s appearance on the platform was the signal for an outburst of hearty applause , and the genial comedian , whose representation of the " Colonel" some few years ago had stamped him indelibly in the memory of our townsfolk , proceeded

to rattle through his entertainment in his best and brightest possible form . Joke followed song , and aong joke in rapid succession , and for two whole hours , whioh seemed but a few minutes , he kept the audience in one continual state of hilarity . Amongst so many good things it is difficult to seleot any individual item for speoial praise , but perhaps Bro . Collette was ab his best in

his imitation of street pedlers and quacks , and in his stirring Irish song " Gilhooly ' s Sapper . " In conclusion the comedian gracefully alluded to the pleasure he felt in renewing his acquaintance with the Spalding public , and warmly thanked those who , by their presence , had assisted in the good cause for whioh the entertainment was promoted . Bro . Colleite was ably assisted by Bro . J . A . Colling ? , a gentleman well known in the musical world , who

accompanied the songs with much skill and discretion , and also contributed several brilliant pianoforte solos , executed with great skill . The entertainment was under the auspices of the W . M . ( Bro . H . H . Harvey ) , Officers and Brethren of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge , and an influential body of patrons . Bro . Collette left that evening for Stamford , and will appear , for two weeks , ab the New Palace of Varieties , Manchester , commencing Monday , 23 rd November .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HTJTTON , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C Monuments erected . Valuations mads .