229
But things changed with the appearance of Mrs. Ayres* on the amateur stage in 1879 in the production of Sheridan's "The School for Scandal". Two other ladies were courageous enough to join her. Mrs. Ayres used the stage name of Mrs. Bernard. The other ladies were listed as Mrs. Hockey (Mrs. Atwell Coxon) and Madame Chervau (probably Mrs. Vaucher).
At every performance Mrs. Ayres received enthusiastic notices: On her appearance in 1880 in "New Men and Old Acres", the reviewer said,
It is an unqualified pleasure to see this gifted lady on the stage. Her ease, grace and perfect action are something wonderful and her power to depict character amounts to something like genius. She was the gay, true-hearted girl of eighteen to the life; and as she portrayed the joys and sorrows of the English girl, she swayed the audience to tears and laughter as she willed.
In a production given a year later, it was noted,
This power to move the feelings of an intellectual and intelligently-critical audience is not given to many amateurs, especially to ladies who kindly consent to promote wholesome public recreation in this way; but Mrs. Bernard has certainly given the most conclusive proofs that such may be achieved in this direction and it is hoped that the example thus shown by her and the other ladies who have taken part in these innocent enjoyable entertainments will be followed by others.
Her last performance in Hong Kong was in September 1883 when she appeared in "She Stoops to Conquer". As usual, the reviewer was enthusiastic.
One great advantage enjoyed by Mrs. Bernard is her apparently perfect confidence in her own powers. The result of this confidence is an ease, naturalness and accuracy in her acting, which must be envied by other amateurs who have not graced the boards as often as Mrs. Bernard. Mrs. Bernard also gets an excellent conception of the roles in which she plays, bringing out all the points and idiosyncrasies of the characters she is representing.
* Probably wife of Dr. P.B.C. Ayres, Colonial Surgeon 1873-1897.
229
But things changed with the appearance of Mrs. Ayres* on the amateur stage in 1879 in the production of Sheridan's "The School for Scandal". Two other ladies were courageous enough to join her. Mrs. Ayres used the stage name of Mrs. Bernard, The other ladies were listed as Mrs. Hockey (Mrs. Atwell Coxon) and Madame Chervau (probably Mrs. Vaucher).
At every performance Mrs. Ayres received enthusiastic notices: On her appearance in 1880 in "New Men and Old Acres', the reviewer said,
It is an unqualified pleasure to see this gifted lady on the stage. Her ease, grace and perfect action are something wonderful and her power to depict character amounts to something like genius. She was the gay, true hearted girl of eighteen to the life; and as she portrayed the joys and sorrows of the English girl, she swayed the audience to tears and laughter as she willed.
In a production given a year later, it was noted.
This power to move the feelings of an intellectual and intelligently-critical audience is not given to many amateurs, especially to ladies who kindly consent to promote wholesome public recreation in this way; but Mrs. Bernard has certainly given the most conclusive proofs that such may be achieved in this direction and it is hoped that the example thus shown by her and the other ladies who have taken part in these innocent enjoyable entertainments will by followed by others. Her last performance in Hong Kong was in September 1883 when she appeared in "She Stoops to Conquer". As usual, the reviewer was enthusiastic.
One great advantage enjoyed by Mrs. Bernard is her apparently perfect confidence in her own powers. The result of this confidence is an ease, naturalness and accuracy in her acting, which must be envied by other amateurs who have not graced the boards as often as Mrs. Bernard. Mrs. Bernard also gets an excellent conception of the roles in which she plays, bringing out all the points and idiocincracies of the characters she is representing.
* Probably wife of Dr. P.B.C. Ayres, Colonial Surgeon 1873-1897.
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