Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

HULL . Hull mp . y most assuredly be congratulated on the possession of amateur talent of no ordinary character . JFew towns could have produced so large and efficient an orchestra as that by ivhieh the " Creation" was recently performed . But dramatic talent is that by which Hull

is pre-eminently distinguished ; perhaps in no other toivn in the kingdom ivould it be possible to constitute an amateur company in which every shade of dramatic talent ivould be so efficiently represented , or to which Hamlet ' s " advice to the players" ivould be so thoroughly superfluous . The Masonic theatricals have now become an

institution , and their repetition is perhaps more anticipated than any other event of the season . This alone served to secure a very large audience on their first evening , the 1 st inst . AVhen , hoivever , tho overture commenced , the room was crowded in all parts . The display of taste on the part of the ladies was even greater than usual ; and thiscombined with tho florid decoration of the

, room , produced a tout ensemble , perhaps more brilliant than on any previous occasion . After the overture , which ivas very effectively rendered , by an amateur orchestra , the curtain rose for "All that Critters is not Gold . "

Tho ability of Bro . Bethel Jacobs , as a comedian , is well knoivn ; on this occasion , hove ever , he seemed to bo in even a more merry mood than usual , and effective as was his acting on a former occasion in the pathetic scene betiveen Sweet William and Susan , he has not yet appeared iu a part bettor suited to his dramatic powers than Jasper Plum . Stephen Plum was performed b } T no

novice in matters theatrical , but by a veritable old un ( Bro . Holden ) , while Frederick Plum will for all time be regarded as a peculiarly Ardencd character . Both gentlemen performed these difficult parts admirably , and were frequently greeted with such applause as is only bestowed on established favourites . Bro . John Harrison ' s peculiar were devoted to

powers the part of Toby Twinkle , ivhieh , from being a subordinate one , he exalted by careful acting , into , perhaps , the most amusing one of the piece . Bro . Robert Harrison , who appears to have an affection for villanous chava . cters , appeared as Sir Arthur Lassell , and fully sustained the reputation lie has gained as an actor of first-class ability . What little Harris had to do was exceedinglwell done

y by Bro . Brooke . It is unnecessary to criticise the performances of Miss 31 . Oliver ( Martha Gibbs ) , Mrs . " Wolfendou ( Lady Leatherbridge ) , aud Miss Gifford { Lady Valeria ) . All are eminent in their profession , and exerted every effort to please the audience , and to render the drama a success , by entering into the spirit of the ovenine .

The drama itself , though somewhat sentimental , was well recoii'ed , and in some scenes , especially those in which Toby Twinkle figured prominently , elicited great applause . The concluding piece " Of Ago to-morrow " ivas more amusing , and decidedly less sentimental than the first , and being relieved throughout by music , both vocal and instrumental , proved more popular . Tho

leading characters ivero supported by the gentlemen of whom we have previously spoken , and as the parts ivere essentially different , the versatility of their powers was placed beyond question . It ivould be but an ill return to omit to mention the obligation under which tho amateurs rest to Miss Oliver , Mrs . Wolfendenand Miss Giffordefor tho invaluable

, , assistance they afforded . Tho same remark also applies to the gentlemen composing the orchestra . Tho second performance took place on Thursday , tho 3 rd . As on Tuesday , tho first piece was a comedy , Avhile a burlesque was substituted for the musical farce Avhich formed the aftcrjiiece on the previous occasion . The

overture was very effectively rendered by an amateur orchestra , among the members of which were Bro . E . Jacobs and Bro . Humphreys , the former playing the violin , the latter the flute ; Bro . Jackson presiding at the pianoforte . Tho opening piece was " Naval Engagements . " It was performed in a most masterly manner , and frequently elicited the applause of a discriminating

audience . The character of Admiral Kingston is very well adapted to Bro . Bethel Jacobs' poivers ; ho looked and acted the bluff old sailor admirably . Bro . Arden was equally at home in the part of Lieut . Kingston . This is , we believe , the first occasion on which Bro . J " . E . Holden has essayed the part of an Irishman ; it is to be hoped that it ivill not be the last . Dennis was no stage Irishman , but a true son of Erin ; his brogue was unimpeachable ; and his every action characteristic .

Landlord Short was well played by Bro . Dickson . But the credit of the success which attended tho piece must not be attributed eutirol } 7 to the gentlemen . The Mrs . Pantifex of Mrs . "Wolf ' enden ivas a most finished piece of acting ; to this lady both j > erformers and audience are under a deep obligation ; she has been ever ready to assist , and whatever she has undertaken she has rendered

peculiarly her own . Of Miss Oliver ' s acting as Miss Mortimer , it is unnecessary to say more than that it fully confirmed tho favourable impression of Tuesday . The prevailing taste for burlesque was gratified by the production of " Aladdin ; or , The Wonderful Scamp , " which was perhaps tho most popular , because the most laughable , piece of the series . In the opening

scenean anteroom in the Emperor of China ' s palace— -the Vi :: ier , T _ ro . Peart , is discovered drinking tea with several Mandarins . Bro . Peart , though hitherto unknown upon the Hull boards , is a- great acquisition to the dramatic company . Pclcoe his son , Bro , E . Goddard , soon appears upon the scene , and solicits the interest of his father to obtain for him the hand of tho daughter of the

Emperor , the Princess Baclroulbadur ( Miss Gifforde ) . The Emperor , Bro . Bethel Jacobs , enters , terrible to behold , and the Vizier urges his request ; is denied ; but ultimately gains the consent of the Emperor to the marriage of his daughter . Bvo . Jacobs is an actor of all work ; from tho deepest tragedy to the highest comedy he is equallat homeand in both tho dramatic and musical

y , portions of the burlesque acted iu such a manner as to associate his own name with that of tho ruler of the celestial empire . Miss Gifforde was a princess in every sense of the term , notwithstanding her awful name ; she sung like a princess should sing , and acted as a princess

ought to act . Scene tho second—a street in Pokin—opened with mysterious music , and tho entry of Abo . na-o . r , the magician . Bro . John Harrison made as good a magician as he did Conjuror on Tuesday . Ere long , the Widow Tivanhay makes her appearance iu a most excited state . Perhaps a disguise was never so complete , or a character

so perfect , as that of Bro . E . E . Harrison . The widow laments to Abanazar the dissolute life of her son Aladdin , ivho soon presents himself in the person of Miss Oliver , and is patronised by Abanazar , who claims to be his uncle . Prom him he steals a magic lamp ( not a magic lanthorn ) , and avails himself of its properties to become possessed of tho hand of tho Emperor ' s daughter , and

blight the hopes of Pekoe . Eor a time his cup of happiness , and that of his relation , is full to the brim ; but Abanazar , disguised as a pedlar , re-obtains tho precious lamp , and dissipates the fortune of his nephew . Miss Olivei-, as Aladdin , almost excelled herself ; and although her previous acting had rendered anticipations great , they were far more than realised .

Tho scenery was far beyond what might have been expected in a room not adapted to theatrical performances . A most popular feature of the evening ' s performance was a Chinese ballet divertissement , Avhich ivas danced most admirably by Bros . Gill , Eeckitt , White , and a