Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1867-10-16 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE THEATRE. —The United Service Dramatic Club continues to attract unusually large audiences, and among which may be noticed as unusual a number of the "upper ten thousand," who seem, highly delighted with the very excel:ent pieces which are placed before them, and the equally excellent manner in which they are performed, whilst the other portions of the house are well pleased too,—a decided proof, we think, that the abilities of the company are of a talented and superior description. Last Saturday evening we hod the pleasure of witnessing the poortrayal of " Lady Audiey's Secret." Founded upon one of the meet popular and interesting of modern novels, by that clever writer Miss Braddon, the play was likewise interesting, and, with Mrs Williams as lady Andley, Capt. Roebuck as Robert Audlev. and Mr Leicester as George Talboys, there was a sufficient guarantee that its rendering would be such as could not but prove a source of pleasure to all partirs. We regard Mrs Williame's impersonation of lady Audley as really first-rate, enhanced in no small degree by ber graceful and lady-like appearance. Her actiog was particularly forcible and good in the scene at the return of tier husband after the long separstim, where her entreaties for commisseration are discarded, and she gives expression to the feelings of vindication and lofty reproach incited by her situation at that time; and in the interview, too, which occurs between herself and Robert Audley, when the discovery of her perfidy and treachery are gradually revealed by that gentleman, the delineation was capital—the affected indifference and untainted modesty, anon contrasted by the occasional evidence of • an inward anguish of soul at the poignancy of the conversation, being very admirably done indeed. In the closing scene, where the victim of her cruelty appears before her, escorted by the men she would likewise have murdered, there was as natural a bit of acting as could be well conceived—the wild outburst of horror at the unexpected visitation, and the frantic bewilderment of a pitiable imbecile, being unmistakably . and cleverly depicted. Mrs Williams wee right ably supported by Capt. Roebuck, and in the several aquatines of the piece, in which he plays so prominent a part, there was much to admire, and very artistically and faithfolly did he interpret them. Mr Leicester I displayed an excellent and finished conception of the I part he undertook, and, affording no many opportunities for showing the abilities of its espouser, it found • very appropriate representative in that gentleman, who certainly evinces an aptitude and intelligence of style that cannot fail to be productive of admiration. Mr Bernard—who is a racy and talented comedian, and an esident favourite here—was all that could be desired as Luke Marks; and the same may be said of Miss Fanny Johnstone, as Alice Audley, whilst the play was sustained throughout in a gratifying and excellent manlier, drawing forth the most warm and genu.ne applause, and the attistes being called before the curtain at its close. The exceedingly humorous farce of " The ' Day after the Wedding" followed, in which Mrs Williams and Cent. Roebuck played the characters of Lord and Lady Freelove. Cent. Roebuck in comedy is capital, and it iv clearly hie forte; very seldom is such good acting to be seen at this theatre, which filets were. enthusiastically recognised on this, as on previcus omissions, by the audience. Between himself and Mrs Williams a fund of mirth Was crested, the latter berng also very piquant in the 'part else undertook. The curtain fell on the closing incidents in this piece amidst roars of laughter, and it seemed ti be very generally admired. The burlesque of " YEneas" in which Mrs Williams appears in a pretty character, and Mr Bernard and Mr Granville afford considerable fun and merriment, was next preceded with, when • very successful eveni.-ne's amusement was brought to a eonclusien.—We observe, and wonld remind our readers, that this evening (WeJnesdes) is a grand fashionable one, under the patronage of Charles Bath, Esq., and the Freemason. of Swansea, for which ()erasion a choice programme ia provided, when we have no doubt there will be a large number present Also is announced n grand fashionable evening on Friday, under the patronege of Cel. Vivien, M.P. As the U. S. D. C. consists almost entirely of officers of the Army it is hoped that the Volentcers and " brothers in alms" generally will honour the performances with tbelr presence, when they will witness an excellent and popular hill of face. Fog further particulars, see Advt.