The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-28
45,937 1866 500
THE vovE AGAINST CONVENTION.
The following table shows the vote against

The BLACK CROOK FoREvER.--In the first notice
of tie performance of this great Spectacular
Drama. our overwhelmingly astonished suscepti-
biities found but brief expression. From the II
sing of the curtain to the going down OF the same,
military order was never more persistently obeyed
-.eyes to the 'front.'" On the other hand, the
pretty performers with equal persstency, remem-
bered the time -honored injunction, ''close up
Novelty of scene, bountlful display of agility,
we'll sustained dialogue, spced with the best sheet
| iron thunder, sword combats, fireworks, showers
Of gold, abominablo looking devils sandwiched be-
tween lovely angels in fesh-colored tights, much
ness of music and festive exhibition of the same
these are some of the elements of Black Crook
which forbid provincial" local from scrutinizng
with O critics eye the performances of that first
night.
Last evening, however, we had moro level
head, and dispassionately we can say omething
about the play. In the plot itself there is not
much to intensfy-just sufficient indeed 10 keep
| expectancy alive for the grand denouement. The
Black Crook 70. B. Collins) is u sorcerer who
| makes q compact with the devil by which he
agrees to supply his Satanic Majesty with at least
one soul every year, the consideration being cor
responding prolongation of his own life. TO
further his ends the subordinate demons are to
help him out Rudolphe is a poor Artist Colin
Stuart), loves Amina Isabel Yane), and has a ri
val in the person of Count Wolfenstein. Rudolphe,
however. 'cuts him out" and then, arrested by
the Counts rufians is imprisoned in horrible
dungeon. Here tho Black Crook finds him.
tra6a uv,arabv in
change for the soul OF the Frantic young
lover, the latter is to receive untold wealth
and be returned to his betrothed Supplied
with "a charm, Rudolph is sent on wild goose
chase to q cave of demons, somewhere in the
Fartz mountains, to obtain first his treasure. He
is attended Ly his funny servant Greppo Harry
Chfford), and encounters series of adventures in
the course of which hc saves the life of tho Head
Centre among the Faries-who looks like Hiram
Powers Greek Slave, ptts eighteen inches of mus
lju skirt Stalacta-that is her name- takes the
two in out OF The wet, and the whole company
have jolly good time. They sing and dance in
all sorts Of undress uniform; Greppo goes fish
ing and catches monster frog; the twain are pre-
sented with an abundance of jewels, and when
they separate Rudolphe receives charm in the
shape of ring, which, whenever ho is in trouble,
he is 10 kiss, which delectable operation subse-
| ouently brings whole acres of desperate Naads,
Dryads, Amphibia, and other pretty immortals to
| the rescue.
Finally, Rudolphe regans his sweetheart. The
Black Crook is thereupon thunderslluck, and gets
mad because Satan has not toted fair The fairys
ring has proved stronger than his own charm.
| Tie eEd of the year of compact has arrived, the
diabolic bell strikes twelve, and Satan comes to
claim the promised soul. The Black Crock sud-
denly discovers that lie can't honor his paper, and
must be forced into Involuntary bankruptcy. He
takes on terribly at the circumstances, and in a
very imr-o'-light manner several of the Devils
bailiffs make their appearance in shower of brim
stone and take him oil. Then the Couni reappears,
gets after his rival with his sword, and gets whr-
ped, the result of all which is that the two lovers,
surrounded by the blissful looking tribe in attenu-
ated garments become exceedingly happy, and
the affair termina es in a blaze of glory.
Interwoyen with the plot arc balIcts, scarf
dances, llluminations, beautiful groupings good
| singing, and well rendered music Mr.. Clifford.
as Creppo, keeps tho audience in perpetual roar
| of laughter whenever he appears, and the reputa-
tion OF this excellent stock company is fully s,ls-
| tanned by the well rendered dialogue. The dancing
| Inv Rosetta (Lizzie Clinton), Stalacta, Amina and
| G.rIine kate Raymond) is also unusually good.
The audiences have been large and apprecatvc,
very many of our best families being present. and
the demonstrations unequivocally in approval of
| tho handsome effort made by the management and
he company to please the public. The piece bids
| fnr to continue for weeks its large draft on the
4 curiosity and greenbacks Of the people,