The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-01
Reported by De Haven d Bro No. 40 8. Third stree
BETwEEN BOARDS.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
sThe RivaIs' at the Arch.


A perfect work of art or perfectly acted play
are things that experience forbids US ever to ex-
pect to see; and the most fastidious Of connois-
seurs must derive as large portion Of his plea
sure from the exercise of his critical functions
as from the contemplation of what IS indispu.
tably excelle mt in an artistic effort. When,
however we do meet with an approximation to
perfection 1t is quite we'll to go in for hearty
enjoyment OF 1t as to quibble over the fine
points and minor deficiencies The repre-.
sentation Of Sheridans comedy of The
Rtvals last evening by the Arch Street
Theatre company was about as near our ideal
of good play we'll acted as VIC think we are
likely to see. AS regards completeness and finish.
it was much in advance Of the performances of
Monday and Tuesday evenings, and the slight
deficiency in harmony between the differ
ent characters which we noticed on these occa-
sions was not apparent last night but the
whole five acts were gone through with in the
most animated and vivacious manner and the
audience was dismissed at the fall of the cur
tain in q smiling condition, and with sense
OF satisfaction at having witnessed thoroughly
good performance, unmarried by plumbers,
mtshaps awkwardness, or incompetency. The
different characters were remarkably well
represented from first to last; and
where all are entitled to credit It
is unn6 cessary for as TO go into details, so we
guish," Mrs. Drew; Captain Absolute" Mr..
Barton Hin; "Sir Anthony Absolute" Mr..
Mackay; Bob Acres" Mr. Craig; "Faulkland,"
Mr.. Everly; "Sir Lucius O'Trigger," Mr.. James;
David" Mr.. Hemple; "Fag," Mr.. Meagher:
MRS. Maloprop," Mrs. Thayer: "Julia," Miss
Lizzie P.ice. Mr. Craig's bob Acres" agree.
ably disappointed us, for we scarcely thought
that he was equal to the task of rendering the
part in such a manner as to merit decided CON-
mendston. We will have to retract little of
our yesterdays opinion about Mr.. Craig's abili-
ties as genuine comedian, for his acting last
evening In the part of Bob Acres" was intelli.
gent. careful, and, with the exception of few
antics, which were rather out of the line OF
legitimate comedy, there was no attempt to
overdo the matter, and the error, II he erred
at all, was on the right side. Mr..
Craig's personation of Fighting Bob"
the gentleman who kept private
graveyard and who killed q man each
week, lacked the unctuousuess of humor which
hr. Clarke infuses into the part; but IT had
good points of its own TO recommend 1t never.
theless. In the duel scene. the mortal terror OF
"Acres" had an air OF reality about 1t, which,
however ludicrous 1t might be TO mere locker.
on. WAS anything but a laughing matter to the
hero ofthe adventure himself The difference
in Mr.. Craig's performance last night and on
the night previous was just the difference b..
tween good and bad acting, or between a care.
less effort and conscientious attempt to win
applause by striving to deserve 1t. II Mr.. Craig
does aswell at all times he did last evening
and If he refuses to allow himself to be infiu
enced by the fiattery OF indscreet friends, he
will advance even more rapidly than he has
hitherto towards the position in his professio u
TO which we presume that he aspires. and We
shall be amoug the first TO give him credit when
he really does good thing.
Mr.. James preservation of "Sr Lueius
little more richness In the brogue, but this gen.
tleman acted much better than he usually does
and he 10 en- titled to praise accordingly.
The city Amusements.
AT THE ARCH Sheridan's comedy OF the
Schoot for Scandal will be performed this even
ing Tne farce OF Jenny Ls'd will be given as
an aferpiece.
AT THE WALNUT Mrs. Lander will appear
for the last Time as Elizabeth, this evening
Tomorrow Mrs. Lander will have a benefit
when Schiller's tragedy OF Mary Stuart will be
performed.
AT THE CHEsNUT Undtne win be performed
only four times more and then the hne ball let
troupe, with Bonfanti, Sohlke and little Sohla-
GER will bid farewell to Philadelphia. On Mon
day next Boucicaulps version OF Foul Play will
be produced.
AT THE AMERICAN there will be an attrac-
tive miscellaneous entertainment this evening.
AT HooLEY'S OPERA House the burlesque OF
the Grand Duchess Of GeTotstetn will be given.