The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-08
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
s'BlacIt and whlto,' at the Arch.

hlACk una WniteO Rt the Arch.
The new drama by Wilke Collins and Fechter, the
tragedian, entitled Black and White, which was pro-
duced last evening at the Arch Street Theatre is to
considerable extent, remodeng OF old materials,
but for the most part the work has been skfuly
uone ana IN some of the scenes the play possesses
thrilling interest, while, q whole, it is far more
dramatic and effective than the majority OF such per-
formances. There are some portions which might
with advantage be curtaied, and after the first act
Mr.. Collins appears to have felt his powers in
genious weaver OF mysterious plots cramped by the
limitations OF threeact drama and one or two very
characteristic scenes, which ne would have elabo-
rated into something startling in novel, possess
very little real interest in the play.
The story briefly is that "Count Maurice de lay
rach" falls in love with "Mss Milburn," while
she is on visit to Paris, and follows
her to her home in Trinidad. Just after he enters
the house he is recognized by ruth" quadrOon
woman, who sends him a mysterious message to
visit her Immediately He complies with her request
but is followed by "Stephen Westcroft,o q planter
whose jealousy has been excited by his visit to Miss
Milburn," and by "Miss Mlburn," who is also Jealous
from discovering that he Is about to make a mystic
rlous visit to another woman. "Westcroft" climbs
upon the roof OF the quadroons hut and "Mss Mil
burn" conceals herself behind curtain, where they
hear "Ruth" declare herself to be the mother OF
Maurice" and adjure him 20 fly from the istand as
he is by birth a slave.
This discovery is made use OF by ''Westcroft" to
crafty his revenge, and he contrives to get the
fortunate "Maurice" in his power. miss Milburn
Is shocked and horrned and at FIRST repels him, but
finally acknowledges her love and exerts herself
rescue him. 'Westcroft" defeats her, however, and
purchases "Maurice" as q chattel belonging to a
mortgaged estate that formerly belonged to "David
Michaelmas," q white valet in the service OF
"Maurice," and which appointed to be sold on
the morning after the arrival OF the latter. Just
the planter imagines that ne has his rival In his
power 'Michaelmas" enters with a deed of manu-
mission which he had discovered in the deserted
wing of the mansion where the father and owner OF
''Maurice" had died, and the piece ends with a
gnashing Of teeth on the part OF "Westcroft" and
general rejoicing on the part Of everybody ese
The finest scene in the play is the interview be-
tween the quadroon woman and her son in the first
act. This was most admirably played by Miss Mary
Wells and Mr.. Barton Hi and the subdued but in
tense and powerful acng OF the lady gave the scene
a thrilling interest which held the audience spell
bound. The search Of "Michaelmas" for the hidden
deed Of manumission in the third act might have
been made interesting If the writers OF the play ha
displayed some little ingenuity, but at present it is
only tedious, and the same may be said OF all
the scenes between "Miehaemas" and "Pluto the
comic 'nigger" of the piece. The latter character
is failure, and while it is impossible for Mr.. Hempe
to make it funny, he might make it respectable by
discontinung the use OF expletves which, as he
utters them, neither forcble expressive Mr..
Mackay played the part of "Michaelmas" as well per-
haps as it could be played, but this attempt OF the
author to create original character is not sue
cess, and even so good an actor as Mr. Mackay
can make little OF it.
AS for the rest the play is elegantly mounted with
new and beautiful scenery and finely acted through
out Mrs. Drew gave a very forcible and artistic
personaton Of ''Miss Milburn," and Mr.. Barton Hill
has part exactly suited to him in ''Count Maurice
de Layrach, and the planter, "Stephen Westcroft "
was well represented by Mr. James Miss Alice Logan,
ho ms her
ing made favorable impression, but the part
assigned her was Of such small Importance that we
are not able to form any decided opinion as to her
abilities as an actress.