The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-27

"HIIda,, nt the Wnlnnt.


Last evening Mr.. f. L. Davenport produced new
drama entitled Htldd; or The Pearl Of Cn,palrg
which has been adapted from French piece, called
Cadet IA Ferle, by Messrs L. r. Shewell ami IT,. VIII
nams. This Is a melodramato play OF the old
fashioned sort The plot Is an adaptation OF a rO-
mantle story OF the New York Ledger type, and the
piece depends for upon spirited and artistic
acting rather than upon the ingenuity OF the stage
carpenter or maChinist The piece is an excellent
one OF its kind and 1t is of kind that lovers Of the
drama will be 10th to lose IL is in just such plays
that some OF the best actors on the stage have
achieved the greatest success, and this particular
drama furnishes Mr.. Davenport with singularly
fine role that is admirably suited TO his forcibe but
elegant style acting. Indeed, there is no actor in
the country that can approach this gentleman in the
better class of melOdramas; and such parts as
"Henri de Lorraine he plays with breadth and
freedom adapted to the subject but with a vigor of
expression that is doubly effective from the total
absence of rant or vulgarity, and which raises the
character to the rank OF a dramatic creation
The story told in the play Of Hilda is romantic,
rather than sensational in the modern acceptation
of the term ''Henrl de Lorraine" the Compte
d'Harcourt, loves "Hilda," the daughter of q
burgher. He is wounded in battle and by chance is
carried to her home when the physician asserts that
his only chance for life is the infusion of fresh blood
into his exhausted veins. "Hilda" offers herself and
her lovers life is saved almost at the expense Of her
own. lie is made to believe that she is dead and we
next find him the leader Of a band OF jewellers in
low cabaret in Paris, striving to drown the
branoes OF the past in dissipation. The Cardinal
Richelieu, however, designs alliance between
'Henrr and his niece, the "Duchesse de Puylaurens"
but the lady having informed herself of his habits,
wishes to decline the proposed match, AID q meet
ing between "Hida" and her lover, which acciden-
tally takes place in the Cardinals anteroom, induces
take the girl under her protection and to bring
about O reunion. "Henri" is made commander OF
the army, and achieves a great victory, which Sc
cures him the gratitude and favor of the King and
Cardinal. The 'Duchess," however, finds that she
Is in love with "Henri" herself and the subsequent
events turn upon the imprisonment OF "Hilda' in q
convent at her instance her rescue by "Henr, the
various plots and counterplots which the policy OF
the Cardinal and his niece put in action for the ac
compishment OF their purpose, and the final reunion
OF the lovers
Some of the situations in the play are remarkably
effective, although from the rather careless manner
in which it performed last evening" they did not
make the same impression that they would if
worked up in proper style. Scarcely one Of the
actors knew their lines, and Mr. Davenport himself
required the assistance of the prompter rather fire.
uuently Making all due allowance for the Difficult
ties of first night and hasty preparation, the play
was not given in the style that it should have been.
This is to be regretted, the piece is good one:
far better than the majority OF those which the pub
lie are invited to patronize, and with reasonably
good acting it could be made strikngly effective To
the general inefficiency of the support we must
except Mrs. WalcOt, who gave an admirable persona
ton OF the heroine, and Mr.. Walcot who acted the
part of Falstafian poetaster with
much ability. These artists are entitled
TO considerable credit, for while
other members of the Walnut Street Company are
too often careless and nattentive the artistic re-
uurements Of their profession, Mr.. and Mrs. Wal
cot almost invariably act well, and even in parts
not suited to them they at least try to act In this
connection it may not be out OF place to mention
that some weeks ago received note from one
OF the ladies' Of this theatre, complaining that
failed to notice her efforts 1t is certainly un-
gracious task to find fault with the actors under any
circumstances, but habtual fault-fndng would be
unpleasant for all parties concerned; and the news
paper that would always speak the whole truth in
matters of this kind would get the credit Of being
hypercritica, harsh, and ungenerous. There is not
paper in this city that does not pass over great
deal Of eXecrably bad acting in silence, especially
in cases where there does not appear to be any hope
of enecting REFORM If we chartably say nothing
certainly no member of the profession has right to
complain, and those who are ambitious to obtain
praise ought to do something to deserve it,
The drama OF HiLda will probably work smoother
this evening than it did yesterday, and we commend
it to the attention Of our playgoers. Mr.. Davenport
ia an actor who deserves well of the public, and he
ought to draw better houses than he has yet done
during his present engagement
The City Amusements.