The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-26
DRAMATIC.
rhe Adaptation of Tennyson's "DOro"
"~ aH the Chssnut street Theatre,


whe Adaptation OF Tennyson's "Doro"
ne the Chesnut street Theatre,
Last evening the new play entitled Dora
made it's Rrst appearance at the Ohesnut street
Theatre Charles Reade is the author of the
n,avinp version of the story which has long
80, fou,lior 70 us in the delightful pages OF
TeDnvson. The plot is simple throughout ou'
- 80 40 scones nevertheless afford an
opnortupity for startling dramatic eHects' An
"a go vbose natural kindness of heart is
-, ohsc,reA. and ut times wholly eclipsed,
hv his downright obstinacy and wiltulness, has
a oroun of three children about him-a son, u
niece and a distant relative, who Is employed
q. servant girl. The son and the poor maid
servant unfortunately fall in love with each
other and contract clandes!ine marriage. On
n certain Christmas Day, the head of the
family informs his son and niece that
they are TO be married without any further
delay, as his heart had long been set upon it,
and he would not listen to refusal. The old
gentleman had quarrelled with and never for
Eiyen his dead brother, striving TO make amends
for his harshness by protecting his daughter,
and providing her with suitable husband.
The niece loves the son, not knowing of his
marriage; but the demand for another mar
rage dscloses the state of affairs and
results in the expulsion of the young married
couple, followed by the fathers curse. Op-
pressed by poverty, the forgiying niece relieves
She distress of the loving couple, notwithstand-
ing they have both nounshed thoughts of hos
tility towards her. in the belief that she was the
cause of their expulsion and misfortunes; and
finally, at the desth-bed of the husband, the two
women are happily reconciled, and the niece
pledges her assistance to the widow and her
infant son. But the old farmer still remains
Obdurate, and finally starts for London, with the
avOwed object of making a will by which
all his property will fall to his niece. He is
thrown from his carriage on the way, and
brought to his home with several broken bones.
The two women then attempt the reconciliation
Of the old gentleman, resorting to trick to
accomplish their purpose. He has great fond
ness for young children, and without any init
nation of the identity, his little grandson is
placed upon his knee, and at once wins his way
into the stubborn hear.
When the plot IS disclosed the passion of self
will again assumes it's sway the niece herself
being cast forth, while the grandson is duly in
stalled as the successor to the heritage forfeited
by his fathers disobedience. Under the gentle
Influence of the child's manners, however, the
old mans heart is gradually softened, and
general and happy reconciliation all around
precedes the fall Of the curtain.
Such is the plot, and in substance the play is
almost equal to it. The dialogue is for the most
part unaffected and touching, and ouly re-
quires the pruning OF few commonplaces, aud
the introduction of a slight vein of humor, to
render it one of the most admirable that has
ever been placed upon the stage.
The drama, as placed upon the stage last
evening, was admirably cast. Mrs. Bowers
assumed the role of Dora" the niece with her
accustomed vivacity and cleverness; while Miss
josie Orton, as MARY Morrison" the young
wife, demeaned herself with a naiu@e that
cOmported we'll with her part. Farmer Allen
was enacted by Mr.. Smith, and William" the
son, by Mr.. Leake, in a fresh and attractive
manner. As q whole, we must accord to
Dora a decided success, and we predict for it q
bong and well-deserved run.