Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-08-01
ADJUSTMENTS.
The sodaIity Dramatic Entertainment
Friday Night.

4
Friday Night.
By the courtesy OF the S0dslity dTa-
matte association we were present Fri
day night last at a ve~y creditable pre-
sentation OF the meio drama entitled
The Specter Bridegroom, which was
followed by the roaring farce OF Ben
idTliH BO5Gins, or the BeHccid Boy, at
the coy hall Of the association on
Washington street. We were agTeeably
surprised to find the members OF the So
dality so well up in their various parts,
and were unprepared to witness such
degree Of histTiOnic talent as that dis
played on the occasion ia question. We
have seen worse interpretations Of dra-
matte characters on the boards OF regu-
lar theaters, and found ourselves OCCa-
sionally merging the amateur in the
professional, so well were some of the
characters persOnated by the members
of the SOdality. Notably was this the
case in the esquire Aldwinkle" OF Mr..
L. + Semmes, the "DickOTy" Of Mr.
James J. Sullivan, ard the "Mr. NicO-
demusn of Mr.. J. 5. Smith, in the open
ing play of the evening. Despite par
donable extravaganza, inseparaGle as II
would seem from all amateur perform
eTs, the Interpretation of each OF these
characters was highly cTedtsble to the
gentlemen named. This is especially
true of Mr.. Semmes's esquire Aldwin-
kle,n which brought out the best hits Of
the author with telling effect, keeping
the audience in the very best Of humOr
from the opening to the closing
scene OF the drama. Mr.. Smith
evinced more Of self-pOssession than is
ordinarily vouchsafed to the nOn-pT0-
fessionRl player, and gave evidence OF
good, latent dramatic talent, which lac
might follow up with good effect. The
Captain Bennington" Of Mr.. J. z,
Casey was good, but little lacking in
dash and martial bearing. The lady
characters were rather timidly inter-
preted, though the "Lavinis" Of Miss
NJ. COrdanO had several graceful
features; while the "GeOEgisna" OF Miss
J. Barry was good for al amateur. A
lash of vim and spirit would have
greatly improved both characters. liz
The Benecjd Boy, Mr.. John J. Duffy, as
"Mr. Benjamin BObbiu," was excellent,
discovering no ordinary tact and talent
for low comedy. He was well support
ed by Geo. J. Bedford, whose bob
Ratles" was very good piece OF acting.
The ladies shone out prominently in
this mirth-provOking farce; Miss NJ.
Blessing, as "Mrs. PuDcheOn,n sustain
ing the honor of the Percy Arms with
comic dignity, very acceptable 10 the
audience. Miss V. COrdanO, as "DOr-
othy," the pretty hOusemaid at the
Percy Arms, made the most of that
character. On the whole, the evenings |
entertainment was most creditable to
the SOdality association, the dTGI10tiS
peTsOnnT of which deserve the grateful
acknowledgements OF the public OF Mem
phis for providing these delightful! intel /
lectual feasts at q time when all theatre |
cal places of amusement in the city are
closed, and no other agreeable outlet can
be had for the pent-up energies OF heat |
oppressed mOrtals. We trust they will
persevere in their benevolent labOTs. !
We append the names OF the following
gentlemen officers OF the dramatic $3.50 !
citation: 2. w. Semmes, director; VIII
lie VegeIi, leader Of orchestra; R. A.
Odlum, secretary; J. S. Hutton, scenic
artist.
The COIOred HaCkmen's Picnic at Ia.
leigh.
The colored hackmen of Memphis
gave their third annual picnic at Raleigh
last Tuesday night, which proved q
grand success, by which they are stimu-
lated to a repetition Of the affair at an
early day. The best of order has Away
been preserved at these gatherings, and
they are determined 10 maintain their
reputation in this particular. Jake Wal
ter and Bob Maynard are the leading
spirits on these occasions, and will have
the management Of the one to be given
at an early day, due announcement Of
which date will be made through the
columns Of the APPEAL,