The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-27
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.


n
The novels OF Charles Dickens offer many tempta-
ions to the playwriter: they are full OF dramatic
slCuatl0ns, and they present array OF strongly
defined characters that AFFORD the actors unusual
opportunities TO distinguish themselves. A really
good dramatization OF Dickens however Is yet tobe
made There is such superabundance Of material
that the task Of making selection becomes one of
extreme dniculty, and the usual result ia that
stage version OF one OF his stories neither gives
entire satisfaction as a copy nor as an original
work. The old playwriters usually took a slight
sketch-as one OF the novels OF Boccaccio, for in
stance-and by amplincation and addition OF new
matter produced symmetrical play, which,
by the Introduction OF original scenes and
Characters had large claims to being
an entirely independent effort. In our day the
novelist takes precedence OF the dramatst and the
latter finds that the fact OF his scenes Incidents and
characters all being ready prepared for him is a
source OF perpexity and embarrassment rather than
an assistance. Most OF the plays adapted from
Dickens novels hold the stage more on account
OF the strongly indviduazed characters than
for any inherent merit OF their own and they
are most OF them open to the objection OF being
uninteigble, so far as plot Is concerned except to
those who are familiar with the works from which
they are taken.
The dramatization OF Little Dorrit, by Mrs Z. d.
Wallace, which was produced on Friday evening at
the Arch Street Theatre, Is entitled to rank OF
the best OF Its class Mrs. Wallace with much skill
considered one OF Dickens most powerful stories,
and she has arranged them with good feeling for
stage effect The great fault OF the play is that the
story Ia not told In sufficiently definite manner. 1t
ought, however, to be comparatively easy matter
to remedy this defect without undue amplifcaton.
A few words OF explanation occasionally, and a
heightenng OF the color OF some of the scenes would
give finish and symmetry to the performance that
It now lacks. For instance, the scene in the third
act, where "od Dorrit" rehearses his prison speech
in the street at Rome is too disconnected present.
whereas with little skill 1t might be made
one OF the most telling points In the
play. The situation is very fine one and 1t ought
not to be difficult to give 1t the necessary body and
substance required for genuine dramatic effect. The
last act also, is rather weak although 1t has some
strong points that need to be brought forward more
definitely. The play shows decided ability on the
part OF the author, and its principal weaknesses
those which would not be very apparent until
representation, and which not rremediable. Its
strongest point is the great number OF drst-rate
acting characters that 1t contains For the most
part these are admirably sustained by the members
OF the Arch Street Theatre company and 1t is sell
dom that 30 many really fine presentations are seen
in one drama. We can particularly commend Mr..
Mackay as ''Mr. Dorrlt;" Mr.. Craig as "Pancks; y
Mr. Ration as "Flntwinch;" :" Mrs. Maeder "Af-
frey;" and Mrs. Stoddart as "Magge; )" although Mr..
Csthcart as "Arthur Clennam;" Mr.. Matthews as
s'Casby;" Mr.. Hemple as "Jehn Chivery;" Miss Fir
man as Granny Dorrit;" and Mrs. Drew as 'Mrs
Clennam," are also good.
Mrs Wallace on Friday evening appeared in the
double capacity Of authoress and actress, making
her first appearance any stage in the character OF
stLittle Dorrit." She showed much OF the embar-
rassment natural to the occasion, but she went
through the part with intelligence, and at times
threw fervor into her manner that indicated ability
that practice and cultivation will develop. The
character Of "Little Dorrit" is well suited to Mrs
Walaces face and figure, and it promises to become
an interesting personaton in her hands
The play is put upon the stage in excellent style
with new and appropriate scenery, and the carnival
scene at Rome which occupies the third act is very
affective.