The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-17
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
mIa Grnnde Ducbesse de GeroIsteIn.

tee, LagriGoul, Leduc, and Duchesne, IN the
roles In which they are 80 familiar to Philadel-
phiaus, reopened the court of La Grdnde
D,tchesse, and were received with unbounded
enthusiasm by crowded house. They executed
their respective parts with all the reckless
energy which 0fenbach demands at the hands
OF his true interpreters, and the audience
appeared to relish the performance as heartily
as they did on the evening of February H. when
the mimic court of Gerolstein was first paraded
before 1t in this city.
Several new faces appeared in the cast last
evening. Guffroy, who took the parts of "Fritz'
and "Paris" last season, mas returned TO France,
and his place is now taken by NJ, Deere, who
gives us no occasion to regret the change. His
voice may not be as full and strong as that of
Gufroy but he has stronger claims to the rank
of a vocalist. If he would but curb himself
little, he would also deserve to stand before
Guffroy as an actor, for he happily lacks the
coarseness of his predecessor, and gave us"Fritz'
without the vulgarity which was impaired to
the role by the other NJ. Darou, who made his
first appearance as "Baron Grog," is decidedly
the best in that role that we have yet seen. There
is but little required OF him in vocal way, but
his etiquette was superbly ridiculous. NJ.
Benedic, who has succeeded Moner as "Ne
pomuc" the. aide-de camp, Is an utter failure,
as is also Mile Rose, who now appears as
"Wanda," in place of Fleury Longchamp and
Felcourt. Mile Lambele, who has figured as
"La Grand Duchesse" herself with great cyNIit
in the Southern and Western cities, apYunged
only in the chorus and in the unimportal part
of "Amelia," but she sang the aria "Ah Lettre
Adoreen with great skill, and showed herself to
be superior to Tostee as vocalist. We are at q
loss to conceive why she was not entrusted with
the role of wanda Perhaps IN La BeL'e Helene
she will be given fair opportunity as "0restes'
TO display her powers. La Grdnde DucheSse
will be repeated this evening, and the rest of the
week will be devoted to La Belle He enc.
The "Lancashire Less,
The drama of the Lancashire Lass has now
been running for over q week, 9th at the Chesnut
and Arch Street Theatres, and as the actors have
become accustomed TO their parts, and al
things work smoothly, comparison of the
respective merits of the two performances will
not be out of place, especially as the interest in
the piece appears to be undiminished The
versions of the drama, from whatever source
they may have been derived, appear to be iden-
tical in every respect, except that the manage
ment of the Chestnut have added few explaua
tory lines to clear up some doubt
full points, and still further improvements
in the same line might easily be made. Both
versions are put upon the stage in tolerably
good style, and in the new pieces of scenery
there is hot s great deal of difference. The first
scene in the second act, representing Red
burns" office, is better at the Arch, as an Office
is indicated, whereas at the Chestnut we have
very ornate drawing-room looking affair, that
appears little out of character for the head
quarters of poverty adventurer such
as "Redburn" is described as being. The tri-
angular arrangement OF Fanny Danville's
boudoir, in the second act. at the Arch, is novel,
and preference between it and the handsomely
furnished apartment at the Chestnut is much
matter of individual taste. The pier scene, in
the third act, which is one OF the principal
features in the piece, is rather more artistic at
the Chcsnut, and the management of that
theatre have added to the attractions of the
Australian sheep farm in the last act by intro
ducing live horse and a number of accessories
which tend to complete the picture.
With regard to the acting, more skill is shown
at the Arch in producing an effective climax at
the end of each act, the management OF that
theatre having in That respect the advantage of
a thoroughly organized company, accustomed
to work together, and understanding each
others capabilities exactly. With little care
and attention considerable improvement could
be effected in this particular at the Chesnut
and the pei formance be made to pass off with
more spirit. AS the Party by the Name OF
johnson" )" Mr.. Barton Hin "makes upr TOR the
character in better style than Mr. j. B. Studley,
but the utterance of the last.named gentleman
is more distinct, and consequently more agree
able. Mr. Studey, too, has the vagabond,
slouchng gait and cunning leer which are
appropriate TO the part in greater perfection
than Mr.. Hill, and his general conception OF the
character is, we think, rather better, although
Mr.. Hill makes the scene in the second act,
where johnson denounces "Mr. Danville,'
more impressive, and in this he is aided to q
great extent by the other actors, who appear
upon the scene just at the right m oment to
produce the most thrilling effect. Miss Hen
rietta Irving has some personal advantages over
Mrs. Drew IN the part OF "Ruth Kirby" but Sc
far as the acting is concerned the representative
OF the character at the Ohesnut is decidedly
at disadvantage. Miss Irving is grace
ful and natural, bat Mrs. Drew acts
the part not only gracefully but with a rea
force and emphasis that develops all its capa
bihties. Miss living, too, is attired in toe
handsome a style when she appears as the
governess or companion OF Fanny Danville'
in the second act and her rich, lace trimmed
dress is somewhat out OF character in depen
dant. Mrs Drew, with better taste, assumes
plain grey silk dress in this scene. Mr.. E. l.
Tilton, VINO sustains the part Of "Robert Red
burn" at the Chesnut cannot be put in com
parison with Mr. Everly, who gives reall,