San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-03-17
AT TURNER HALL.
Miss Lilly Hollingsworths Clever Inn
personation of Parthenia"

The Austin company Of amateur actors
appeared last evening at Turner Hall,
and fair-sized audience assembled to
welcome them and TO witness the pro-
duction of "Ingomar." 1t is moot ques-
ton whether any amateur performance
should be noticed in detail at all, for the
most excellent of them are bound to be
orude-as crude as the efforts of boy
just entering the workshop is to that of
the skilled artisan. Amateur perform
ances, when given for worthy and chari-
table ends, deserve praise, and imper-
fections should be treated with gentle
hand. When amateurs step outside this
pale and give performances on the same
basis as professional actors. that is TO say,
the ultimate object being purely financial
they place themselves on the same plane
as those who have been through the
tramp nOvitiate," and therefore render
themselves amenable TO the same treat
ment.
The performance of IngOmar last night
Judged by the standard stated above,
was ludicrOus, the only two of the caste
calling for attention being Miss Lille
Hollingswerth, as PaTthenia, and Mr..
VIM. Booth as Alastor. The lady's per-
Torrance evinced evidences of natural
ability that only needs culture and con-
sCientiOus study to deVelOpe into talent
far beyond mediocrity. She possesses Il
fresh and pleasant voice, winning face,
and is unaffected, all strong factors for
safely yoyRging on the tempestuous
theatrical ocean. She is by no means
devoid Of emotional power or subtlety
Of conception, and her Parthenia had
many admirable points. She evidently
pleased her audience who compelled her
to appear before the curtain at
the conclusion of each act.
Mr.. Booth as Alastor, was really good,
and but little training would suffice to
make him a good actor. He certainly
could have sustained the role of the
Allemanic Chief infinitely better than
Mr.. Isaac Melaskey, who,had on hOrTi-
bic black wig instead of the flaxen locks
usually worn, which made him look like
an Afghan Chief, having dude like lisp.
The POlydor of Mr.. j. L. Lee remind
ed one strangely of a wretched imitation
Of Shylock, and the remainder Of the
male characters appeared to be divided
between the effort to recollect their cues
and how to get rid Of their hands and
arms. Another incongruity which We
would advise Miss Hollingsworth TO re-
move when next she plays the part, is
the wearing of a magnificent string OF
pearls when .Psrthenia visits the barbara
ans to offer herself as hostage for her
father, Myron the Armorer, Cleopatra
never possessed such jewels.
Many Of the above faults could have
have been removed If the Company had
been trained by some experienced hand;
the absence Of stage dressing" that is,
proper and symmetrical grouping OF
the characters. also marred the effect.
"IBgOmar" would persist in getting as
near the flies as possible when he had
point or situation, allowing his com
rades to occupy the center of the stage,
thus allowing the main character to be
at discount, an eggregiOus error that
should De corrected as soon as possible.
If the above structures are somewhat
harsh, they are not prompted by cap
tiOusness, but are simply given in the
hope that the company may adopt the
suggestions. A matinee is taking place
this afternoon; it is attended by q large
and fashionable audience.