The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-12
WHOme,, nj the Chesnuf.

large audience was in attendance last evening
at the Chestnut to witness the first representation of
Robertsons comedy OF Home. This piece is dis
tnguished by all the characteristics OF this writer's
style-a neatycoHstructed plot; crisp, bright and
pleasant dialogue and a well-sketched series .of
characters, in whose fortunes we are expected to
feel an interest Mr.. Robertson has keen appreCia-
ton of character, and, commonplace as some of his
personages are, he rarely fails to mark their ind-
viduaty very plainly while in nearly all OF his
pieces there are at least one or two vigorous and
life-like creations that indicate power scarcely yet
developed. The trouble with all of Robertsons
plays however is that they are too slight and skechy
both in plot and characters. 1t is certainly an
error the right side to leave the audience on the
fall OF the curtain wishing for more but we cannot
avoid regret that paywriter OF such evident
ability does not attempt something more than dra-
matte sketches. The comedy produced last evening
at the Chestnut is an adaptation OF French drama
by NJ. Emile Augier, entitled LAuenturiere; but the
English writer, while he has appropriated the central
idea, has changed the accessories and altered the
tone OF his DRAMA so that 1t may fairly be called
new piece.
The plot turns upon the efforts of female adyen-
turer to gain possession OF the fortune of rich old
gentleman by inducing him to marry her.
She has established herself with her brother In the
house, and has almost succeeded In her desires,
when son OF the old man, who had been driven
away from home some years before, on account of
some youthful indiscretion, returns under an as
sumed name, and finding out how matters stand, de-
termnes to save his father He enters the house as
stranger, and sets to work to engage the affections
Of the adventures. He succeeds in his object and
then the real art OF the dramatst is shown when the
woman, brought to bay, appeals for the sympathy
and respect Of her enemies. She throws of the mask
entirely, and appears before them as a suffering
woman who Is at least entitled to their pity and re-
fusing all pecuniary recompense for her matri-
monial disappointment, she shows that her
in anfa tinor homo hos
to obtain wealth and position than to find peace
responsibility, and home. She had determined, If
successful to do all in her power to make her hus-
band happy and her conquest had been due alone to
the real affection which she had conceived for the
son. She leaves the house amid the respectful SYM
pathy of the family and the profound regret of the
son that his triumph had been purchased by such
sacrifice on her part. In ''Mrs. Pnchbeck," the ad-
ventures, the outline is given OF frst-rate acting
character that really deserves elaborate treat
ment than the author has bestowed upon 1t. The
outline is well filled up by Miss May Howard, who
plays with a fine appreciation of the require
ments of the part, and by the decided
coloring she gives to the sketch proves
herself to be an actress Of very marked ability The
next best part is that Of "Captain Mountrafe" the
brother of the adventures, and this certainly does
not receive justice at the hands OF Mr.. Mordaunt,
who dresses the character WELL but acts 1t very in
differently. The remaining personages afford but
little opportunity for the performers to distinguish
themselves, and it is sufficient to say that they are
very creditably represented as follows:-"Alfred
Dorrson" who appears under the name of Captain
John White" by Mr.. Sheridan; ''Mr. Dorrlson," by
j.. II. Jack; "Bertie Thompson" Mr.. w. II. Otis;
'Lucy Dorrison" Miss Josephine Laurens and
s'Dora Thornhough," Mrs. II. A. Creese.
Home is not equal to Caste, or even Ours, butt is
a refined, elegant and entertaining piece, that in
telligept people can listen to with pleasure The
conclusion of the second act, where "Mr. Dorri-
son" finds the supposed Colonel White" making love
TO the handsome widow, and the son is COM
PEELED to declare himself, and to explain the reason
for his disguise, presents fine dramatic situation;
and the third act, where the discounted adventures
reveals her real character, is very effective
The piece is well acted, and 1t is placed upon the
stage with great care and good TASTE The scene
does not change during the three acts so that there
is not much chance for display; but such scenery as
there is is good, and the costumes and accessories
are elegant and appropriate.