PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
VOLUME 93.
AUGUST 6, 1887.
ALL IN PLAY.
Dear Mr. Punch,
Now that your own particular theatrical adviser and follower, Mr. Nibbs,has left London for a trip abroad, I venture to address you on mattersdramatic. I am the more desirous of so doing because, although theSeason is nearly over, two very important additions have been made tothe London playhouse programme—two additions that have hitherto escapedyour eagle glance. I refer, Sir, to The Doctor at the Globe, and TheColonel at the Comedy—both from the pen of a gentleman who (while I amwriting this in London) is partaking of the waters at Royat. Mr. Burnandis to be congratulated upon the success that has attended bothproductions. I had heard rumours that The Doctor had found somedifficulty in establishing himself (or rather herself, because I amtalking of a lady) satisfactorily in Newcastle Street, Strand. It wassaid that she required practice, but when I attended her consulting-roomthe other evening, I found the theatre full of patients, who wereundergoing a treatment that may be described (without any particularreference to marriages or "the United States") as "a merry cure." I wasaccompanied by a young gentleman fresh from school, and at first feltsome alarm on his account, as his appreciation of the witty dialoguewith which the piece abounds was so intense that he threatened more thanonce to die of laughing.
"How happy could he be with either."
I have never seen a play "go" better—rarely so well. The heroine—the"Doctoresse"—was played with much effect and discretion by MissEnson, a lady for whom I prophesy a bright future. Mr. Penley wasexcellent in a part that fitted him to perfection. Both Miss Victor, asa "strong woman," and Mr. Hill, as—well, himself,—kept the pit inroars. The piece is more than a farce. The first two Acts are certainlyfarcical, but there is a touch of pathos in the last scene which remindsone that there is a close relationship between smiles and tears. Andhere let me note that the company in the private boxes, even when mostheartily laughing, were still in tiers. As a rule the Doctor is not apopular person, but at the Globe she is sure to be always welcome. Anyone suffering from that very distressing and prevalent malady, "theDoleful Dumps," cannot do better than go to Newcastle Street for aspeedy cure.
The Colonel.
The Colonel at the Comedy is equally at home, and, on the occasion ofhis revival, was received with enthusiasm. Mr. Bruce has succeeded Mr.Coghlan in the title rôle, and plays just as well as his predecessor.Mr. Herbert is the original Forester, and the rest of the dramatispersonæ are worthy of the applause bestowed upon them. To judge fromthe laughter that followed