New Idea

“Don’t forget the benefit to the destitute sick wives and children of absent or deceased soldiers, to take place at the New Idea, on the 17^th inst.”

“It was the night [Fri, April 17] devoted to the benefit of the sick and destitute families of absent and deceased soldiers, and on such an occasion the place should have been crowded, but we regret to say the attendance was not large.  The minstrel performances opened the programme, and we have to say that they do not accord with our idea of what the minstrel department of a new place of entertainment should be.  The vocalism is not bad, but it is not by any means of a superior order.  Wray is good as Bones, but his partner of the tambourine is very unsuccessful in the humorous line of business, his jokes being below mediocrity. . . . The pas de deux was well-danced by M’lle Helene and Mons. Fouche, who, by the way, had too much stuffing in the calf of his leg.  Miss Allinson’s singing was good, too, and so was the acting of Wray, in the little piece of ‘Spirits vs. Theft.’ . . . [Appraisal of contortionist, ventriloquist, slack wire-walking, and plate spinning.] Take it altogether, the performance at the New Idea is one well worth the price of the tickets, and we were glad to see that it was drawing a truly respectable audience, among whom were a hundred ladies at least.  In fact, the assemblage was just such a one as we see nightly at Laura Keene’s or the Winter Garden.  The New Idea is not an appropriate name in all respects, for the reserved seat system which they hold to is decidedly an old idea, and one we should have thought they would have ignored.  If seats are to be kept for anyone, let them be reserved for ladies, as at Bryants’ and Wood’s.”