Punch (98.1890)

84 PUNCH, OB THE LONDON CHAEIVAEI. [February 15, 1890.

SOMETHING LIKE A DINNEE.

Now that the Parliamentary Session has opened, and the Season
threatens to set in with its usual severity, the dinner question comes
prominently to the front. Even in the
test - regulated households there is a
sameness about dinner which, towards
the end of the week, palls upon the
appetite. Some ambitious young men
have attempted to deal with the matter
and surprise their guests by introducing
cheese^ immediately after the soup
(souffle au parmesari), and after a cut
of beef comes the fish [turbot a la
Pusse). That is well meant, but it is
crude. Mr. Punch has given his great
Vol au vent. ^ mind to the subject, and presents to the

consideration of the dining world the following hints for a meal:—

Haif-om-half.
Blauwe Landtongsche Oesters.
Hoog-Sauterneswijn.

Dikke Bivierkreeften Soep. Volmaakte Soep in Van Dijk Stijl.
Amontillado.
Zuschotelles.

Selderij. Olijren. Eadijs. Haringen. Poukenvorm gebakken
in Berg-op-Zoomsene Stijl.
Liebfraumilch.
Gekruide Gerechten.
Gestreepte Baars, Piet Hein Stijl. Lambasteien met Zeouwsche Saus.
Chateau Danzac.
Voorgerechten.
Hoenden Vleugels, met Haagsche Saus.
Heetkoudegemakten Ganzenlevers in Zwolsche Stijl.
Kuinart, wrang wijn, Bijzonder Perrier Jouet, Louis Boederer, "wrang,
Giesler & Co., G. H. Mumm, buitengewoondroog.
Groenten.
Aardappelen in Sneeksche Stijl.

Doperwten, Fransehe Stijl.

Gebakkene TCropsalade.

Sorbet, Anneke Jans.
Gebraad.

Kanefasrug'Eendvogels. Gekruide Seiderij-sla,
Riehebourg.
Nagerecht.

Curacaogelei. Italiaansche Ijs. Edamacho Kaas. Vruehten.
Gemonteerde Stukken.
Koffle.

Likeuren. Sigaren.
Pupen en Tabak.

It may be objected that half-and-half, even when badly spelt, is a
cold preparation for dinner; and others may take exception to
Poukenvorm, as likely to have an earthy taste. But did they
ever try it gebakken in Berg-op-Zoomsche Stijl ? It is no use
mincing matters. Let anyone in search of a good dinner enter any
well-appointed restaurant, and order this menu right through down
to Pupen en Tabak (which is not a preparation of dog's meat), and
if they are not satisfied, Mr. Punch is a Dutchman.

"RICHARDSON'S SHOW" AND A " BILL OF THE PLAY."

The Vaudeville, when it was opened, was devoted to all that was
light and cheerful. Comedy and Burlesque went hand-in-hand, and
the audience, if ever asked to weep, were begged to cry with
laughter. But Mr. Robert Buchanan (with the assistance of the
late Mr. Richardson") "has changed all that." Clarissa, the pre-
sent attraction at the little theatre on the North-side of the Strand,
is a piece of the most doleful character. The First Act is devoted
to a very heartless abduction, and the last to a lingering death and a
fatal duello. "When it is announced that the successful fencer who
" kills his man " is no less a person than that excellent Comedian,
Mr. Thomas Thorne, it will be readily understood that '' the New-
Drama" is the reverse of lively. Clarissa has scarcely a laugh in
it from beginning to end. Certainly, in the last Scene but one, there
is a revel, in which "pseudo-Ladies of Fashion" take part, but the
merriment with which it is spiced is decidedly ghastly. Miss Wini-
fred Emery is exceedingly clever, but her death-scene is painfully
protracted. Mr. Thalberg, as Lovelace, is a sad dog in every sense
—a very sad dog, indeed. The only incident in the piece ever likely to
provoke a smile, is the appearance of some comic bearers of grotesque
sedan-chairs. "When Clarissa is carried out a la Guy Eatjx at the
end of the Second Act, there is certainly a moment's hesitation
whether the audience should cry or laugh. But the sighs have it,
and pocket-handkerchiefs remain to the front. On the occasion of
the initial performance, some slight amusement was caused by the
introduction of Mr. ,Buchanan in unconventional nineteenth cen-

tury morning dress amongst the old-fashioned costumes of the
company; but, of course, the slight amusement was for once and
away, and could not advantageously be frequently repeated. Thus,

r HOUSE
j - tea the
-IBIJCHANAN BLEND

Something Lively at the Vaudeville.

take one thing with another, the life of the Vaudeville audiences at
this moment cannot be truthfully described as a merry one.

At the Avenue quite a different story may be told. People who
visit this pretty little house desirous of being moved even unto tears
by that finest of Fausts, Mr. Alexander, will be disappointed—
they had far better stay at home, or go to see Clarissa. Mr. Hamilton
Aide has adapted from the French of Carre (a case of fetch and
carry) a Farcical Comedy in Three Acts, which he calls Dr. Sill, in
preference to Dr. Jojo the Gallic original. The prescription from
which the Doctor concocts his mixture might have been supplied
by the Criterion. Mr. Frederics; Terry plays a part that would
have suited Mr. Wyndham down to the ground!, and Mr. Chevalier
is continually suggesting the peculiarities of Mr. Maltby. Miss
iANNY Brough is Miss Fanny Brotjgh, which means that no one
could play the part so well, much less better. For the rest, the

Making up Dr. Bill's Prescription,
company (although a new one) work together with a "go" that
carries all before it. Alexander has certainly conquered the world
—of Comedy. He may do less wise things if he rests satisfied, and
leaves Tragedy alone for an indefinitely lengthened period.

Serjeant Cox, on behalf of Private Box.
P.S.—Mr. Jerome's new piece (which he describes as "compara-
tively speaking, new and original"), just produced at Terry's Theatre,
is rather disappointing. Its title of Nev) Lamps for Old strongly
suggests a " Night's Entertainment." But when the poverty of the
plot and the quality of the dialogue are taken into due consideration,
it would be almost too much to say that this pleasant idea is fully
realised by the evening's performances. It must be confessed, how-
ever, that Mr. Penley, rising and descending in a dinner-lift, is (at
first) funny; and Miss Cissy Grahame is ever welcome.

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