The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-29
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC
"wives AS They wereo nj the Arch.

Merit Is only comparative; and when we come
toJudee OF the much-vaunted comedies OF thu
good old times-when acting was acting, you
know-by the best literary standards, It. is not
easy TO see wherein their superior excellence
consists. 1t is undeniable, however, that no
plays have been produced OF late years that will
equal them, and when placed beside any ordi-
nary effort of the modern playwright, with its
diluted dialogue, meagrely. drawn characters,
thin veneer OF sentiment, and tricks OF stage
macninery-upon which last item is placed the
main dependence for success-the superiority
OF the old play is apparent TO the most superb
cial observer The perfection of scenic appll-
anoes and stage mechanism at the present
time has had no little influence In
making managers, actors, authors, and audi
ences less critical In regard to the literary
quality OF the dramas which are brought out
nowadays; and, in addition to this novel read
Ing has In great measure superseded play
going as q fashionable amusement; and the
talent which at one time was devoted to the
theatre has been transferred to the field OF
fiction. The novel writer's, however, are now
beginning to crowd each other; and 1t is ques-
ton worth considering whether some OF the
literary ability of the day ight not with ad-
vantage and profit be devoted to the task of
adding to our stock of standard dramatic
works. There Is no better paying investm INT
u
and modern society and manners afford a field
for the dramatist as prolific In characters and
incidents as any previous age.
Mrs. Inchbald's Wsves as IYey We're and Maids
as They Are is a good average specimen OF an
old English comedy. There is q certain family
resemblance about all of this class of plays. aud
the productions OF Mrs. Inchbald have the merit
at least OF being less open to objection on moral
grounds than many more celebrated works. A
vein of sarcastic humor runs through the
comedy under consideration, and, without
being remarkable for wit, the dialogue is al
ways animated, sparkling, and lively with
repartee. The characters, too, are we'll defined,
and they afford the actors opportunities to
show what abilities they have in them; and no
the least excellence of the comedy is that the
MOI al is healthy, and as applicable to the society
OF the present day as 1t was to that of half a
century or more ago.
There was a slight want of vim in the per-
formance last evening" but. on the whole, It
passed off smoothly and to the satisfaction of
the large audience present. Mrs. Drew gave q
capital personation of miss DorrillOn, )" and her
acting. as 1t always is, was brilliant and
vivacious Mr.. Barton Hill, who sustained the
part of "Mr. Bronzly," shared the honors OF the
evening with Mrs. Drew. Mr.. Hill has some
trifiing faults of eocution which we would like
to see him get rid of II possible, but his acting
as the gay, dashiug, good looking, good hearted
and good for. nothing rake was excellent
that we have no disposition to complain of his
miner deficiencies. Mr.. Everly as "Sir William
Dorrillon" had q rather ungracious and difficult
part, which he per formed very creditably but
MIR. Everly also has somewhat of au i'm pedimenL
In his speech, which appears to have commu-
nicated itself to his walK, and which IL Is worth
his while to strive TO correct. Mr.. Mackay was
an efficient representative of Lord Priory 4" and
Miss Price, as Lady Priory," was fitted with
quiet, lady-like aud agreeable part that Just
suited her. Mrs. Clara Fisher Maeder is also
entitled to a word of commendation for her
personation of Lady Mary Rsfie," and Mr.
Wallis for his intelligent acting in the minor
role OF "oliver." Mr.. James. who appeared as
Sir George Evelyn" has much to learn before
he can be accounted q good actor. His walk
and attitudes are extremely stiff and ungainly,
and his speech is so thick and hurried that 1t Is
impossible to hear more than one word out of
three that he utters. Mr.. James faults of man.
ner and elocution are more prominent
now than they were year ago. but
we should not think 1t very diff
cult matter for him to overcome them
SO far at least as to move about and stand In
easy and unconstrained attitudes, and TO speak
with a reasonable distinctness We have seen
Mr.. James act some parts very well, and little
will, we are sure. not be lost upon his auditors
or be unappreciated by them. The part of .Mr
Norberry" was assumed by Mr.. NJ. b. Snyder,
one of the new members Of the company. More
animation is what this gentleman needs more
particularly.
The audience last night were hearty in their
applause. The actors were cordially welcomed
as they made their appearance on the stage
and at the conclusion Of the performance the
curtain was rung up in answer to an imperative
demand.
Mrs. Lander as elizabeth"
Last evening Mrs. F. w. Lander appeared at
the Walnut Street Theatre in the role of ELIZA
beth, Queen of England" 1t was q matter OF
surprise with those who witnessed Ristori's
great personation of "Queen Elizabeth" that a
character so full of salient dramatic points had
never been brought upon the stage before. A
careful reader of history, however, will readily
understand the difficulties in the way of pro.
ducing play with anything like a consecutive
plot from the incidents OF the greatest English
Queens reign, and that, while her character
itself was as strongly drawn as could be desired
the mere incidents OF her career were scarcely
ofthemselves Of a kind available for stage pur.
poses. Giacometti, however, having the
greatest tragedienne OF the age to be fitted with
q part suited to her eminent abilities, overcame
the difficulties OF his task by dispensing with a
consecutive plot, and giving instead series
of tableaux in which elizabeth" was
the most prominent figure, and which
would serve to bring out all the lights and
shadows OF her many sided.character. Whether
his portrait is strictly accurate, or whether he
is always historically correct, are matters OF
comparatively little moment, for on these