Theatre Comique

Describes theater overhaul and refitting.

Describes theater refurbishment.

Will present a different style of entertainment than what was performed here before—no negro minstrelsy—only vaudeville and variety.  The critic says that this is a change for the better. The hall was completely redone during the summer—186 iron uplifting chairs have been placed in the orchestra, every seat in the parquet, dress circle, and gallery has been reupholstered. New frescoes, gilding, and blue paint. Spacious entrance on Broadway.

“The Theatre Comique opened for the regular season on Aug. 17th, as a sort of variety-vaudeville theatre, the management ignoring the cork drama or anything that would make it appear as a music hall. We have previously spoken of the great improvements made to the auditorium of the theatre, and the very handsome manner in which it has been fitted up. The entertainment opened with a ballad by Lucy Egerton, followed by Joseph Emmett—the Dutch comedian—in his song and dance of ‘The Happy Dutchman,’ which he gave in a white face. Then came Lingard, in his comic sketches, which were the same he appeared in last season. Prof. Hilton, the ventriloquist, followed with his three ‘singin and talking’ heads, after which came Alice Dunning (Mrs. Lingard) in a song, and for an encore appeared divested of her flowing silks and dressed in a short cut Chinese style of dress, with cap and bells, which afforded an opportunity of displaying her charms in the way of a pair of well rounded legs and a pretty look. Lingard then appeared in his statues, which were just the same as presented last season, excepting that of Horace Greeley; Joseph Emmett in more Dutchisms; an overture by the orchestra; and the farce of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Peter White’ concluded the evening’s entertainment. Miss Egerton was not successful in her singing. Mr. Emmett appears to better advantage in white face; his manner of distorting his features, and his facial acting can be better seen in white. He is an attractive card at the Comique, and receives fully as much applause as does Mr. Lingard. Prof. Hilton is one of the best ventriloquists we have seen for a long time, but he makes his act so long that it becomes tedious, and he is thereby apt to lose favor with his audiences. Mr. Lingard received a good reception, but his several impersonations did not appear to strike his auditors so forcibly as last season, nor did he enter into the spirit of the scene with the same ease or desire to please as before. When he first appeared here he was a novelty, and every one was anxious to see him. Now he has to depend upon his merits alone, and he will find that, no matter how good he may be, he must change his performance occasionally, or else he will soon play himself out. Miss Dunning possesses an attractive person, rather a pleasing face, a good pair of legs, and her style is one that would make her a favorite from the start. She sang very well and received considerable applause; but when she slips off her drawing room dress and appears in a short dress, she tends to rather dampen the favorable opinion already made of her, for she ‘cannot dance at all.’ The rocking balance and the grape vine twist can be done by almost any Ballet girl, and is therefore not all that is required of a danseuse. The farce of ‘Mr. and Mrs. White’ was only an amateur performance, excepting Lizzie Wilmore’s impersonation of Mrs. White. She is a capital soubrette. She possesses a fund of comic humor, is a pleasing singer and acts with considerable care and judgment. Mr. Lingard should not attempt to act low comedy as he has not the proper idea of it. There is a wide difference between buffoonery and low comedy. Mr. Edward Ward has got a great deal to learn before he can make a respectable actor. The attendance throughout the week was quite large.”