The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-30


still another will by which the youth In whose
behalf she has made such an ill-starred
sacrifice Is made the heir Of the disputed
property. This, of course, again turns every.
thing topsy-turvy, the returned convict is
obliged TO Vacate; and the fortunate youth,
having been Tilted by his sweetheart under the
belief that he was penniless abandons his
abandoned ways and takes Miriam to his
heart. The character Of "Biles,r the "protes-
sional man, Is the most marked and original In
the play, and in the hands of Mr.. Rogers It is
developed into striking piece of low comedy
acting. "Biles" is always drunk, and Mr..
Rogers inebriaton is a creation of his own suf-
6ciently novel to be characteristic, and, what
is still more to the purpose, exceedingly
grotesque and laughter provoking. II short,
Mr.. Rogers displays the instincts and teachings
OF an excellent comedian, and takes rank ut the
outset OF his career In Philadelphia rs favor
ite. Miss Lizzie Willmores Miriam" was. on
the whole, we'll acted, and secured for her
very favorable reception; while the support
given by the members of the regular company
was quite credtable.
After the drama the audience, not at all i'm
patient for the change was favored with the
first representation, in this city, of Buruand's
worldrenowned burlesque of
sIxIOn; or, the Man at the wheel"
The author of this extravaganza has taken as
wild and bold ahight as the hbrettist who con-
cocted OTThee for 0fenbach. The story is
familiar to all students of mythology. Ixon,
King of Thessaly, having married Da the
daughter of Deioneus. after pledging his kingy
honor to make a substantial present to his
tatherin-law, oblges thatpersonage to resort to
force before he can secure the gift. Under the
mask of friendship, Deoneus is invited to a
feast by Ixion and, being taken unawares, is
hurled into burning pit. For this combine
ton Of treachery and cruelty he is ostraczed by
his fellow.men, when Jupiter takes
compassion upon his wretchedness, invites him
up to heaven and gives him seat at the table
of the gods. Ixion, however, is a confirmed
reprobate, and avails himself OF the opportunity
to tsmper with the affections of Juno to the
disgust of the whole tribe of Olympiaus and the
anger of great Joye himself. He finally dis
ports himself 30 shametully that he is conducted
to Ethe warmer realms of Pluto, where he is
bound to a perpetuallyrevolving Wheel and
thus, through all eternity, expiates his pre-
sumptuous offense.
On this NEUROLOGICAL legend, the burlesque of
I1ion; or, The Man at The Wheel is based, and
like all similar contortions with which play
goers are familiar, every leading incident in
Ixlon's career Is turned TO the best and most
extravagant account. Yet single representa-
ton Of the piece does not convince us that the
material has been put to the most available use
despite the ncontestable fact that the burlesque
has enjoyed such run in England as to have
numbered the thousandth night The most
striking weakness Of the production, ho wever is
the neglect of those who have prepared it for the
American stage to localize the puns, the force of
many of which are lost upon a Philadelphia
audience. Notwithstanding this defect the
whole affair has great intrinsic merit, and can
not fail to secure in this city, as it has already
secured in New York, a long run. In fact, no
such fate awaits it as befell the unhappy Deio-
neus, who 'lost his head and couldn't keep his
legs" In these days legs win uphold almost
anything upon the stage, and as legs were by
no means regarded as too delicate for
exposure on Mount Olympus, they are not held
| in move delicate esteem in this mimic resort of
| the gods. The mock Olympus is excellently
| produced at the Walnut, the scenery through
| out the burlesque being exceedingly novel and
| picturesque. Then there Is the powerful acces-
sorry of rsttling medley of popular airs,
Tommy Doddn and up in Balloon" being
| mingled in scandalous confusion with the
scores of some of the 1ndesros of the art divine;
while, as a fitting climax to this ridiculous
tumble, gods and goddesses disport themselves
as though gods and goddesses were called into
being for the sole purpose of shuflng their
legs, as doubtless they were.
We can only speak in terms of commentator
| of the performances of Miss Jennie Wlllmore as
"Txion," Miss Lizzie Willmore as Juno" and
Mr.. Felix Rogers as Minerva" The latter
personation was fully equal In grotesqueness
to that OF "Blles," which is saying great deal.
The two Willmores are unquestionably well
schooled in the art of burlesque acting, and
| are sufficiently extravagant, without
descending to the reproach OF Coarseness-the
greatest stumbling block in the way OF the
burlesque actor. They were well supported by
the members of the stock company, especially
| for first performance. With two or three
| repetitions, the latter will doubtless become at
home on Mount Olympus, and then lrton will
be booked for a run as long as its legs will carry
it, and they are numerous enough and suff-
eiently exposed to carry it a long way.