The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-14
DRAMATIC.
The First Night of the season a, the Arch.

The First Night of the Season at the Arch.
The reopening of the Arcn Street Tneatre
Saturday evening was more than usually en-
Joyable affair, which we hope may prove to be
the suspicous beginning of a season of pros
perlty for the Management aud pleasure for the
public. To begin with-.he house looked clean,
bright and comfortable; IL had been repainted,
regilded and redeeorated throughout; new car
pets and mattiDgs covered the floors, and every
thing looked SO tasteful and SO cheerful that it
was impossible not to be predlsposed in favor
of the performers before the prompteI's bell
gave the signal for the rising of the curtain,
which introduced them to the audience Ons
OF those fine old comedies of sterling merit
which delighted our grandfatbers and nich'
like pure wine, lose nothing of their flavor, but
rather become mellowed and improved by
age, was chosen for the purpose of dis.
playing the capabilities of the company. The
actors were well up in their parts, the costumes
were correct and elegant, the scenery was good
and the performance altogether was one of far
more than ordinary excellence. The theatre
was filled with a large and fashionable audience
who apparently had come determined to be
pleased anyhow, ana the actors as they ap.
peared upon the stage, were welcomed in q
manner that must have inspired them to do
their best. Mrs. Drew may congr atulate herself
on the success of her opening night, as 1t was
cne OF those occasions that will be remembered
with satisfaction by all who were fortunate
enough to be present The company she has
brought together is one OF unusual strength,
and is capable of presenting almost any play in
capable manner. Under these circumstances
the present season at the Arch ought to be one
OF great qualification to all lovers of refined and
intellectual amusements, aud we do not doubt
but that it will be.
Goldsmith's comedy of She Soops TO Conquer
is play that has kept possession of the stage
solely on account of It's intrinsic merits as q
piece OF dramatic composition in spite of the
changes OF time, taste, and fashion. 1t makes
large demands upon the credibilities of the
audience. but the incongrui ties of the plot only
make 1t the more enjoyable when they are
Joined to brilliant and sprightly dialogue and
well-drawn characters. Like all of Godsmith's
writings IL has n peculiar charm which is to
certain extent undednable. but which will
always cause 1t to be favorite with large class
of playgoers whose preference for the style OF
plays known as old English comedy is some.
thing more than the result of education and
prejudice.
Mrs Drew's miss Havdcastle" is one of her
best comedy personations and as q dramatic
portrait 1t Is every way worthy of being placed
beside her "Lady Teazle"-a character in which
she he's no superior On the STAGE Mr.. Barton
Hill's young NARROW" was also q fine per
formance and in this connection we must ex-
press our satisfaction at having Mr. Hill again
attached to the Arch Street Company. Mr..
Craig, as "Tony Lumpkin" was excellent, but
some OF the gags" which he saw 1T to intro
duce were scarcely improvements on Goldsmith
or worthy of so ointelligentan actor Mr.. Mackay,
always careful. and often very fine actor
was the capable representative OF "Mr. Hard
CASTLE" and Mrs. Thayer was fitted with part
well suited to her abilitiesin "Mrs. Hardcastle, {,
The other characters were we'll represented, as
follows:-"Hastings," Mr.. l.. L. James; "Sir
Charles Marrow" Mr. w. FL. Wallis; "Dlggory."
Mr.. 8. Hemple; "Miss NEVILLE" MIS-. I. A.
Creese; Landlord" Mr.:Osborne; and Lefty"
Miss Mahon. ..ra
AT the conclusion of the comedy Mr.. Hill was
called before the curtain, and made O nea ;
speech, In which he alluded TO the fact that he
had assumed the duties OF stage manager, and
asked for the Indulgence of the audience for his
shortcomings. He then spoke of the fact that
Miss Fanny Davenport was about to make her
first appearance in Philadelphia la, and requested
that she might receive q kind greeting for her
fathers sake. Mr.. Craig was also cal ed out
and he made brief speech.
The farce of Jenny Lind which concluded the
performance, was selected for the purpose
introducing Miss Davenport, the new soubreas
OF the company. The daughter of so flne an
actor and SO worthy gentleman as Mr.. E L
| Davenport could safely have been assured of a
| favorable reception by Philadelphia audienc ,
| on the occasion OF her debut and when she ap
peared the applause was hearty as could be
desired. Miss Davenport is a blonde very good
looking, somewhat inclined to ens6onpoirt, but
graceful, and her acting indicates careful train
Ing Her voice is pure soprano, OF excellent
| quality, rather light but OF sufficient compass
for moderate sized house like the Arch. AS an
actress Miss Davenport is vivacious and
sprjghtly. and, II we mistake not, she is destined
TO become great lavorite before the season Is
| far advanced.
We hope that the new plays wAich Mrs Drew
contemplates putting on The stage will be
! varied occasionally by oldestablished faVorites
and 1t would be "a rare pleasure II we could have
@ series of standard comedy performances al
the Arch during the present season. Mrs, Drew