a carte de visite photograph of Lizzie Tabra (fl. late 1870s/early 1880s), English serio-comic, sometime in partnership with Gus Levaine, vocal and instrumental duettists
(photo: unknown, circa 1880)
South London Palace music hall, London
‘After an absence extending over two years Mr Fred Evans has again returned to the scene of his former triumphs, and with his world-famous ballet troupe has contributed not a little to the enjoyment of the habitués of the above-mentioned transpontine place of entertainment. What name he gives to the extraordinary ballet in which he appears we are not in position to say, but this we can with truthfulness assert, that from beginning to end it proves provocative of laughter of the most uproarious character. Mr Evans himself appears as a droll fellow, dressed in all sorts of colours, and prepared to make love, to turn his congrères, or to leap through windows at half a moment’s notice. His humour is only surpassed by his agility, and the thunders of applause which greet him afford eloquent testimony that his doings are keenly appreciated. Miss Amy Rosalind, looking as bright and dancing as blithely as ever, is the damsel of the sketch, and well does she play her part. Mr Harry Wright personates an amorous Quaker, who comes in for no small share of Mr Evans’s thwacks, and takes his punishment with the best possible grace. Mr Loraine represent a love-making soldier, and before the end is reached these two gentlemen find themselves transformed respectively into a chair and a table. Mr Turtle Jones, who seems to enjoy being knocked about, puts in an appearance as a pastrycook, and he presently takes the form of a harp. All these pieces of human furniture suffer from the hot poker wielded by the man in motley. This funny ballet should be seen by all those who love to laugh. The famous Jackley troupe have been re-engaged. They now introduce a new trick, several of the more agile members turning a somersault over the heads of eight or nine people seated in a row. Mr Sam Torr nightly finds a ready chorus for his capitally rendered song called ”The Same Old Game.” The daring flights of those clever little people Lillo and Slspa continue to excite wonder and admiration and to evoke great applause. Mr Tom Warde’s clog dancing is generally admired, and the topical ditties of Mr Tom Vine never fail to call forth expressions of approval. Sivori Poole is still here, and stands in the very front frank of favourites. Mr Pat Feeney’s Irish songs and jigs lend a pleasing variety to the entrainment; Miss Tabra, in serio-comic song, finds hosts of admirers; the Brothers Wills, in their comical sketches, cause much merriment; and a capital company is completed by Cole and Leonie (duettists) and La Petite grace, very properly designated the ”juvenile wonder.”’
(The Era, London, Sunday, 16 April 1876, p. 4d)
Footlight Notes 