The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-26
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
mrs. seott-sIddons as "RosNIind.''


speares comedy OF AZ You Ltts n. The audi
enee was good, considering that IL was Christ
mas Eve and that the Academy Is not at all
popular as q place for dramatic entertainments,
and the applause was hearty enough TO assure
the lady that the Philadelphia public is
disposed TO be generous as well as dis'
eliminating. Mrs. ScottSlddons made
very favorable impression, and when
We aay that her personation OF "Rosalind' was
q success, wo acknowledge at once that sne
possesses abilities OF no mean order, although
she can mako no claim to the inheritance oil
the mantle OF the great Sarah. the chsrScVet
OF "Rosalind" requires such peculiar personal
az well as intellectual gifts that there are lew
actresses who have the temerity TO attempt it'
and the consequence IL that As Yoa Ltko IL;
one OF the most captivating and poetioal
Sbakeapeare's plays, is oil but banlshed from
the stage.
We sometimes complain OF our modern play
wrIRhts that they outrage probability, but
here we have the groat master OF the English
drama setting aside not merely probability but
possibllity. Your modern ooncocter OF sensation
lam. however. Is assidious In his efforts 10 give
rrafscrnblanoe 10 his e-podge OF stunning
effects, by introducing mass OF trivial details
as an apology To outraged art and nature; he Is
careful 10 have his scenes set TO resemble, as
much as possible, real house, real railroad
bridge, or a real forest, and his characters must
be particular to wipe their shoes on the 'front.'
door mat, to hang up their hats and umbrellas
on real rack, and 90 through with
a variety Of other motions to convince the
audience that they are real human beings
Camp pbell, in his refined criticisms on Shake
epeare's plays, says:-"rhe poetor the hctionis1
and every great fictionist is a true poet-gives
ms images OF life at large. and not OF the narrow
and stinted probabilities OF everyday lite.'
Shakespeare, in As You Like IL for, PROBABILITIES
wiyes as nature, character, and poetry. The play
can Scarcely be said TO have plot, and Angus
tin Daly-Heaven forgive us for mentioning
him in such a connection might have takenlt
for his model so far the arbitrary arrange
ment OF the scenes, the action, and the deHoue-
Fnent are concerned. With Shakespeare plot
h ever secondary to character. and In As You
Like II we have character In abundance with
"RosAlind" as the central figure In the group
Of motley personages TO which the poet intro'
duces us.
Mrs. scott.siddons' personal advantages for
such q part as "Rosalind" are undeniable. She
has o slight,s graceful, and elegant figure, q
beautiful and expressive face, large dark eyes
abundant tresses and a lady.like presence.
which would have secured her the regards OF
the audience had she been vastly inferior to
what she is as an actress. Mrs. Siddons per-
sonation was in many respects extremely crude,
and she evidently had better conception of
Her bright, animated, and sparkling manner
carried her through successfully, and secured
her applause which was certainly as hearty as
she could desire; but her attitudes and gestures,
while frequently graceful and expressive, were
evidently the spontaneous suggestions OF the
moment, and not the results of study; and they
betrayed the artlessness Of the novice
rather than the art in nature of the mature
and experienced actress. Mrs. Siddons' eloou.
49, alNxx -
and we beg her If she hopes to win and retain
the favor of the American public to reform 1t
at once and altogether. The English "rising
infection" which so much troubled Mr..
Dickens critics; was a mere trif1e In comparl-
son with the popularity in Mrs. Slddons' case
The first portion Of sentence she delivers
well, with q musical voice 1t is q pleasure TO
hear but the last five or six words are given
with q sing song intonation which has very
comical effect. There are plenty Of American
actresses who can perform the part
Of "Rosalind" In q style OF art that Mrs. Sid
dons cannot approach, although they may be
Inferior to ner in personal qualifications. Mrs.
Drew and Miss Josie Orton we will mention, as
two with whom Philadelphia audiences are
familiar. With neither OF these ladies can Mrs.
Siddons for moment be put in comparison as
an actress. Were Miss Orton few pounds less
ayoirdupois-for she is undentably "heavy
Weight'-We think she would make charming
representative of " "Rosalind," albeit we
would scarcely like to see her at the present
time in male attire. Miss 0rton, too, is some
times inclined to be coarse, and coarseness in
such part as this would be intolerable. The
refinement and eminently lady.llke manners
Of MRS Siddons are among her greatest charms.
Mrs Siddons is not o great, nor can she at
present be considered even good actress
although we believe that she is capable OF be-
coming one If she is willing to give up her pre-
tensions and act upon the judclous advice that
has more than once been given her since her
frst appearance In this country. The name Is
an excellent card for her, and we believe that
she has perfect right TO make the most OF 1t in
advancing herself in her profession. A great
name however, is worth nothing unless there
is something to back it. We do not know
whether Mrs. SlddoAs or her friends and agents
are to blame for the very indlscreet advertising
expedients that have been resorted TO In this
and other cities for the purpose OF bringing
her into notice. BY announcing her as a great
actress and the inherltor of the genius OF the
Kemble family, comparison with the first
hislIionic artists of the day has been invited'
and she has consequently been subjected to
more searching criticisms thanwould have been
the case under other circumstances. We heard
some weeks ago, that Mrs Siddons had been
Invited by Edwin Booth to take the position OF
leading lady In his new theatre. II this offer
has really been made, she will do q wise thing
70 accept 1t. Her personal attractions and win
ming manners will make her a favorite, and
dispose her audiences TO overlook her defects;
and being called upon to play in an INFINITE
variety OF parts, she will gain the experience
st,.t-