The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-29
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.


Last evening Mrs. Scott Siddons commenced
a re-engagement at the Academy of Muslc and
appeared as "Restrice'' in Shakespeare's
comedy of Much ado about Nothing. An au-
dience which would nave appeared large at one
OF the theatres was in attendance, and an evil
dent disposition was shown TO give the lady
every encouragement. The press of the city Is
nearly unanimous with regard to the merits as
we'll as the defects of Mrs. Siddons, and her
status as an actress being thus fixed, the public
Will know what to expect In visiting her per-
formances, and the critics can afford to praise
her good qualities unreservedly without fear of
being misunderstood.
Mrs. Siddons decidedly improves on ac-
quaintRnce, and as we remarked In our first
notice, her prepossessing personal appearance,
attractive manners, and animated style will
make her favorite In spite of her deficiencies
as an artistic. "Beatrice," like "Rosalin nd" Is q
character that req uires abilities of q high order
for a successful Interpretation. The actresses
who have obtained celebrity in these roles can
be counted on the fingers, and they all stand
or have stood at the top of their profession; and
in witnessing Mrs. Siddons' presentations 1t is
impossible not to make mental comparison
OF her aeting with that of her predecessors. We
we're better pleased with Mrs. Siddons'
beatrice" than we were with her 'Rosalind."
Her elocution was better, although
still decidedly faulty, but she appeared to try
and speak her sentences with Just emphasis
Instead of singing them. The immaturities of
style and manner of which we have spoken
were also decidedly apparent, but Mrs. Sid.
dons' conception of the part was good, and
there was q brightness and sparkle about her
acting which went far towards redeemiug her
most pslpable deficiencies. Mrs. 5iddons is
ambitious, or she would not attempt the line OF
characters that she does and she has fine abili.
tiaa ha fail In nj ia 0f har
face and engaging manners; and II we decline
to consider her as q thorough artist at this
time. we are not without hope that she Will
become one when she shall have passed her
povitiate. Some of the passages last night were
exceedingly well rendered. as for instance the
scene where Beatrice" bauters the masked
"Benedick," !" and In the fourth act, where Ter
womanly sympathies are aroused by the accu-
sation against "Hero." and with all the ener
giles of her nature she protests that her cousin
is innocent Her little love scene with "Bene-
dick" after the sad wedding party had de.
parted, and her melting him to challenge
"Claudio." were also excellent.
In fine, Mrs. Siddons has decided talents OF
her own, which, II properly cultivated, will
render IL unnecessary for her to rely upon her
great grandmother's reputation, and II she will
discourage the style Of putting that has been
adopted in her case, and resolve to win the
battle with fortune on her own merits she will
be much more likely to succeed.
The play last evening was creditably acted
| throughout, and Mr.. Harkins, in particular, ID
entitled to very decided praise for his persona
| ton OF "Benedick." In nothing that we have
seen this gentleman do has he SHOWN the same
amount of ability. The part Is one that actors
| OF more reputation than MIR. Harkins have
failed In, and We are therefore the more inclined
TO commend him for a bold, dashing, and very
| effective piece OF acting. Mr.. Harkins intro.
| duced some new readings which scarcely I'M
| proved upon the accepted text, especially as
| they were evidently adopted ON the spur OF the
| moment 10 assist defective memory. Mr.
| Davidge's "Dogberry" was good. but not equal
to his "Touchstone.n = -.