The Warwickshire Herald. — 1890-08-28 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.  The Two Orphans is a play very familiar to the patrons of the Grand Theatre, and Mr. Cuss. Dornton's impersonation of the long-suffering but heroic little cripple "Pierre," is almost as familiar. Ml. Frances Campbell makes an interesting "Louise," and sings the blind girl's ballad vety patheticslly. Mrs. Charles Calvert has been engaged for the part of the" Coratesse de Linlere" which she plays with a power that causes it to have its importance in the development of the story fully recognised. In Mr. J. P. Dryden we recognise a Birmingham gentleman, who made his debut on the stage a few years ago. He is a painstaking and intelligent actor. The other parts are well provided for in the hands of Indies and gentlemen who have assisted before in the production of The Two Orphans in Birmingham.  At the Queen's Theatre this week a return visit of the If izpah Company is being paid. The play, in addition to being of • very sanguineous tone (though all, or nearly all, the suw,i.murdered people ultimately come to life again), has the advantage of being a sort of international portrait gallery. It reminds one of the school-chart labelled, "Races of mankind." There are an English colonel and his faithful henchman, in the shape of • red - nosed and wiry moustached Corporal ; various types of tho Anglo-Saxon and American settler, a typical Yankee, and Indian half-breed, a Dutch lady, with short petticoats, wooden shoes, and songs, and CO on. The company has undergone little change, and the various exciting incidents seem to be followed with great interest.  Nerve., which is being enacted at the Prince of Wake', is capitally produced. As "Mrs. Armitage," Miss Kate n is a veritable "woman upon wires," an her performance, well conceived ani admirably carried oat' j *orthy of the highest *aim. Miss M. Talbot, too, is very good as "Mrs. Buxom Brittle, and the acting of the other ladies leaves nothing to be desired. Mr.. Wilfred Draycott makes • good "Captain Armitage," Mr. George P. litowtrey follows up former successes by making an exceedingly good "Mr. Buxom Brittle," and at, " Hippolyte," Mr. J. r. Graham causes incessant laughter. Nerves is succeeded by Mr. Jerome K. Keronle's pretty one-act play, Barbara, skilfully interpreted by Miss Marion Grey, Miss Amy Thornton, Mr. W. Draycott, and Mr. E. C. Spalding. Altogether the entertainment is a very wholesome and pleasant. one, and large audiences have been the result.  Flying front Justice, which is being produced for the tirst time in Birmingham at the Theatre Royal this week, ia adrama of not very pretentious claims, but abounding in sensational inaideata and stirring scenes. Mr. Mark Mefferd, the author, plays • part in it, end la tolerably well supported by a fairly good company. The old story of villiany triumphing for • tune over innocence is utilised as the haws of the plot. The drama is not to be recommended for its high artistic merit, but it has been heartily received.  Very little alteration has been made in the programme at Day's since het week. The moot notable change is the inclusion of an operetta, which gives Miss Maude Stoneham and Mho Violet Evelyn an excellent opportunity of showing their vocal and dancing abilities. AttLyn and Hart help to swell the list of song and dance artistea with evident twice's. O'Connor and Brady, Wright and Palmer, and Bells Willing all contribute considerably to the entertlinment, while Johnny Forge sea mixture of Chirgwin and Cyrus Bell, contrives to be funny.  The entertainment at the Gaiety includes the extraordinary performance of the Donaldson Brothers producing a feeling of amazement. Each feat exceeds its predecessor so rapidly that it is not until the bnathers have left the stage that the audience can give vent to their appreciation. As contortioniste the Donaldsons are very clever, and twist themselves into indescribable shapes ea though they were so mach elastic. The Zanotti ' Troupe accomplish many juggling tricks with unhooked-for accuracy. hikihael Nolan takes chief place as comedian, while the Sisters Graham, the three Kanios, J. W. Gee, and the Creswell trio do much to make the entertainment enjoyable. The Four Lovers sketch proves extremely laughable.