New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-06
The Theafers.
olympic THgATRR-oUR MUTUAL FRIEND.

The first representation Of "0ur Mutual Frendn
which given Monday evening the Olympic Thsats
didnot terminate till within few minutes OF 10 ococlsor
which unable TO record 10 yesterdays papr
the popular with which it attended Mr. Rows
has dramazed tie novel with skill and Setting s.as
the unmanageae epsodes-tbe festivals OF tho Podspaas ana
the yeReerngs the in which Jenny Wren so delight
fully and touchingly participates the matrimonial speculation
Of Mr. and Mrs Alfred Lamm and the business more or es
essential which falls to the lot Of Betty Hgden Miss Pee
cher and Mary Anne Fedgeby, the Rev. Frank Mlrey
Scthe dramatist has steadily kept view and successfully
abored to Illustrate the principal features OF the story the
respective experiences the that wsrs
encountered by John Harman and Bella Wilfer, Eugene
Wrayburn and Lizzie Hexham His plan has thus co@pre-
hended the humorous accessories Of BOns Bower and thu
plots of Venus and Wegg together With the tragic
and incidents supplied by the characters conduct and
fate Of Rogue Rderbood and Bradley Headstone These
elements be has blended il not compacty least udciousy;
so that his play while not effective in all its parts harmo
Nous whole. To have achieved this result with such per-
picking materials is to have labored with insight into tho
character Of strange work. and with fidelity both to the &C.
OF Dickens and to the demands Of dramatic art Great
credit therefore belongs to Mr. Rowe for the artistic Of
his work. 1t will be fault OF bis IL that work does
and we do not think it wl-acheve permanent success
upon stage That il will have prosperous run" tho
Olympic during the of Mrs. Woods may indeed.
safely be anticipated but prosperous do not make stand
ard plays.
Mr. Rowes play reveals TO US CATER Hexham hut beside the
Thames the abode of the Cherub Bons Bower handsome
bit of scenery and the lock at Pashwaer Weir MIL
together with few subsidiary that Go not Dger
memory introduces John Harmanand this is the only
clumsy incident in it-and makes him tell his own story "a
the walls Of CATER Hexhams hut It shows Bess life Al
the house of Bou and wegg and Venus in council 1t por
trays Eugene wrayburns pursuit OF Lizzie Hexham aud the
attempt at Eugenes e by Bradley Headstone 1t DEPICTS
very thrilling theatrical the death Of Riderhooi
aud the schoolmaster Finally shows the momenary tn
umph but ultimate discontinue OF wegg and Venus and
ends in liberal arrangements OF matrimonial character is
dialogue is in many parts that of the novel itself In others
tits original with Rowe and in all Is characteristic and
telling 1t has been produced with good deal OF new
scenery a portion of which is extraordinarily cool
Mr. Hayes merits cordial praise for example for tha
pic mic scene. wherein Eugene Is rescued by Lizzie.
and for the lock scene at the Mill 10 THIS
latter at the close Of the third Rderhood and Headson
death struggle precpated into an abyss which seen
from the 'front.' indeed black and terrible To depend upon
effects this sort to upon the Of dramatic
the thoughtful spectator must be perfectly wei aware
in the of the knocking at the gate
in thrilling the heart aud mind to their
interior depths without the aid OF agecsrpentes Yet
effects Of this kind have their merit and the which closes
the third of Our Mutual Friend Of the best Of u
order that have CHANGED to But Mr. RoTes psy
is in good acting well good scenery Mr.
Studeys RderhoOd Mr.. Soddarts BOfn Mr. Rowes Wegg.
Miss Harriss Mrs Bofin. Mr. Kamess Wifer Miss MYens
Charlie Hexham all good presentations OF Character
The of thema strong aud ruthfey coored deneaon
was Mr. Siudleys Rierhood Mrs Wood attempted paI
Bella wfer and failed entirely. Bella is neither fast nor
loud" and Mrs Wood msrepresented her in each OF
these particulars Lizzie Hexham was played very sweety
by Miss Kate Newton Lavnia. too, was well acted By
Miss Glover who hther from England and who made
her debut this occasion The other characters were
not noticeably acted. Mr.. Bonace does not seem n
Eux hmm rha
was remarkable for astonishing cayat There is but ons
actor Olympic company competent to play Eugene and
that Mr. Rowe himself Happily the part has been shon
much its importance in this drama as also has that Of
Bradley Headstone. who becomes beetlebrowed stage
villain in the hands Of Mr. Garrison These players would
be wise to study Dickens He is unworthy Of at least
much thought Is bestowed waistcoats and eyebrows
! Our Mutual Friend" will be acted every night
WINTER GARDRs-"PLAYIYG WITH FIRE."
Mr.. John Brougham made his appearance, as au-
nouncsd on Monday and played again last night Dr. Saw
age In his well known and very brilliant comedy Of
Playing with Fire" He has had good audiences aad has
been warmly welcomed On the first night be made one o
and winning speeches which fall with so much
grace from bis practced lips In reference to Playing with
Fire Is little be said anything that has not been
said already We carefully described it when Mr. Brcughsm
produced it here last Summer 1t illustrates in very Lively
manner through the medium OF glood plot and sparkling
dialogue the danger Of ring with jealousy The character
of Dr. Savage woven Of honesty worldly wisdom numor er
perence goodness aud simplicity is Thoroughly well adapted
to Mr. Proughams talents and his weknown dashing stys
acting How well played the part last the reader
does not require TO be reminded BE played last night with
even greater yigor and mrt and poin that
tribute of honest laughter grateful artist whose chief
aim to everybody happy. Tie subsidiary characters
have been udicousy and acted last evening an
exceedingly credabe and satisfactory manner Mr. Burnett
narticuarly distinguished himself the gentle, wehunt
inc Uncle Timothy His taste Is always to be trusted.
and his knowledge OF character comprehensive and ac
! curate Miss Carr was also-as she Is Always
truthful and humorous and spirited the Widow CraSsek
In other particulars the cast presents but one noticeable Tea
ure Miss Prentice young actress new to this stage sp
as Mrs waverey She is simple in and scts
with n honest effort excellence not with the OF
nsr,srcs Mr. and Mrs walcot Mr. Andrews. Mr. Hogan.
M Iobno and Miss Morton included in the cas-. Of
nrt plavin, With Fire announced for continuous reps
on but we are ao ad be able to add that resher pieces
are in prenarstop Mr. oughas own buresque Of Poca-
honas will shortly be presented The Winter Garden Always
pleasant place of resort is never gvsr than when tue seO
face and cordial Of John Brouhm are sneaains sun
shine and merriment around its walls
MISCELLANEOUS
The Ravels have been welcomed with large suu' /.
ences Niblos wemust their present ent
for careful consideration at another time. =,
There will be Matinee at Woods Theatre to-day,
The ,rre Sisters will appear in The Invisible Prince
The reader is reminded that the present is the last
week OF ITS Ssver Too Late To Mend at waaek Thea
ter, and Of Uncle TOMS Cabin" at Barpum's Museum.
Miss Western, French Spy, - is nightly 10 be seen
at the Broadway Theater.