The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-20 00:00:00

DRAMA.

OLYMPIC.
A very pretty drawing-room, elegantly furnished,
two ladies and two gentlemen, refined and well-bred, and
speaking sparkling modern connesational dialogue—a very
alight, bet well-woven plot of intrigue—what more can be
wanted to ensure perfect SUOMI to the lever du redraw at the
Olympic Theatre?
Mr. John Ozenford's comedietta, A Doubtful Victory,
produced le night, provided all these requirements, and
achieved an adequate Waco* The story is simple enough.
Colonel Clive (Mr. G. Vthi), a =Weirs of full middle age,
is staying la the house cif Mrs. Flowerdale (Ides. Stirling),
widow' dhia old Mend, and la deeply in love with her. The
visits de young sea, Alfred Cleveland (Mr. W. Gordon),
=whom he =Recta a rival, came him much annoyance,
and he left fill constant cuing
allusions to modern youth
in end Ckselend in . learns at ken
from Mrssimnel,. Flowerdele that Cleveland is inHe love with her
ilk/0/4 Violet (Mies Hughes), sad then he is equally etrang
in the yawing mates praises and in the desire to
see Ids asked to the object of his affeadoes. The suspd-
ekes of lin. Flowerdale have, however, been aroused, sad
being of a high-spirited snare and fond of a joke, she deter-
mines to try Cleveland'ensistenciy, and accordingly proposes
to Violet to enter the field as hoe rival, and to endeavour to
win from hoe lover a declaration of his affection. Violet,
somewhat doubtingly, agrees—the signal of succees
cat his
knee before Mr. Flowerdale. Colonel Clive is admitted into
the plot, and biomes a most unwilling conspirator, taking
down however the heads of what he has to do in his note-
book, and agreeing to abide by his instructions.
The eampiracy commences—Mr. Clevelandm=edand is
received by, the colonel, who, radiant with
11111101111K4111 ids approaching wedding with Violet. Cleveta ,
is sighs= and an interview with Mrs. Flowerdale; the '
sew, widow naives him, affirms the truth of the colonel's
oespatulates Cleveland on the escape he has
had,
had, at the follies of early marriages, coquettes
sod with, and finally makes a great impression ea
the bewildered young man. This interview has been wit-
nessed thresgh the window by the colonel, who, when they
go oat to vac in the garden, eaters, and encounters poor
tank* Violet, haring that her lover is really lost to her.
Her pin tenches the heart of the good-natured Colonel, and
he regents him of hia part in the plot. A way of escape Ilse
open to him. He has promised not to speak to Cleveland,
but by showing him the note-book he can put him an courant
with the real state of the cam. He dose so. Cleveland's
eyes ere and when, after a further interview with the
widow, red'ainke upon his knee before her, she no sooner
touches the signal bell than he rises, and In the preemie of
his Violet declares his knowledge of the conspiracy, and the
fact that he has been acting a feigned part. The lovers are
made happy, and the Colonel and Mrs. Flowerdale make up
the matrimonial quartett.
Too much praise cannot be given to the actors in this little
comedy. Mrs. Stirling was, of oourse, admirably natural and
deliciously provoking. Mr. Vining, by playing a new style
of character with =intent truth, finish, and expression,
showed that his audience are yet unacquainted with the ex-
tent of his repertory ; while Miss Hughes and Mr. W.
Gordon looked and acted like people accustomed to good
society. The depth of this praise will be easily understood
by accustomed to frequenting our modern theatres.
his little piece le founded on a French vaudeville, called
A to Campagne, but the dialogue Is essentially English,
and of the highest polish and neatens.