The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-28 00:00:00

OLYMPIC THEATRE.

On Saturday a capital dramatic version of Mr.
Edmund Yates's novel " Black Sheep " was pro-
duced with great success at this theatre. The plot
of the drama differs somewhat from the novel, but
we believe the alterations have been suggested by
the author, therefore nothing can be regretted on
that head. The novel, by its publication in All the
Year Round, must have become so generally fami-
liar that we are only called upon to give an
outline of the drama. In the first act we find
Stewart Routh (Mr. Charles Mathews), having been
more than usually unfortunate at play, is in despe-
rate want of a sum of money. His only hope lies
in his intimate friend George Dallas (Mr. Ashley),
over whom Harriet Routh, in the interest of her
husband, exercises a potent influence. But the
mother of George Dallas has taken unto herself a
second husband, who looks with no kindly eye on the
excesses of hisson-in-law. Under these circumstances
the call of an Americanised Englishman, who has
lately arrived from the States, and whom Routh
has picked up as a sort of boon companion, is dan-
gerously suggestive ; for Philip Deane (Mr. G. Vin-
cent), as he is called, carries about with him a pocket
book well-stocked with bank-notes. The prompt-
ings of an evil mind are readily obeyed. Philip
Deane is waylaid and murdered by Routh, and Har-
riet has all the misery of suspecting what her hus-
band is about w bile he is absent for the commis-
sion of crime, and of alighting on proofs of his
guilt as he has returned. Retaining her presence of
mind, she contrives a chain of evidence that will
bring suspicion upon George Dallas, who
calls
shortly afterwards with a diamond bracelet pri-
vately given to him by his mother, and whom she
persuades to leave the country, and that he may
sell the jewels in Amsterdam.
The second act takes place, at the ICursaal, Hom-
burg, where Mrs.. Routh endeavours t 9, tear Stewart
away from the fascinations of Mrs. Ireton P. Bem-
bridge (Mrs. St. Henry), chiefly because Homburg
is dangerous, and Dallas has been arrested there on
suspicion. To the instinct of Routh's preservation
every other feeling is subordinate ; and in the third
act, which takes place in Mayfair, and in which the
danger of Routh is increased, Harriet would almost
persuade Mrs. Bembridge to elope
with him, to con-
vey him to a place of safety. Jem Swain, who has
by chance overheard the facts relating to the crime,
and who, in spite of his almost servile devotion to
Harriet, cannot allow the innocent Dallas to be exe-
cuted for the crime of another, tells the whole to
Tatlow, and thus brings the drama to a conclusion,
Routh escaping disgrace by suicide? and Harriet
falling lifeless as the announcement is made.
The principal part, Harriet Routh, was sustained
by Mrs. Charles Mathews, and altogether a more
meritorious performance we have never witnessed.
It was a complete illustration of the character drawn
by the author, and the applause she received was
well and richly deserved. Mr. Charles Mathews as
Stewart Routh gave us another of those natural
representations which have rendered him so great
an actor; and Mr. J. Clarke, as Jim Swain, was
deserving the highest commendation. Mr. Addi-
son as Mr. Carruthers; Mr. Ashley, George Dallas;
Mr. 11. Wigan, Tatlow ; and Mrs. St. Henry, Mrs.
Brembridge, all acted exceedingly well; and, with
the addition of some beautiful scenery the result
was a most triumphant success.

The newspapers are teeming with references to econo-
my in tea by co-operation. Horninan and Co. have for 30
years co operated through Agents to supply tea on more
qdrantayeous terms than by the ordinary channel; their tea
reaches the consumer in the same pure state as it leaves the
rower, as it is socund La packcte.