The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-06


THE LANCASHIRE LAss.-Thc Academy OF
Music was well filled Saturday night, the play
being "Thc Lancashire Lass" which, without any
novelty ofplot or particular brlancy OF dialogue,
Is something OF Il favorlie with play-gocrs. The
plot Is simple In the extreme, ana US stale rs
1t is simple Ruth Kirby, Miss Lillis Ell
dridgc,l pretty country girl, betrothed to Ned
Clayton, (Mr. James 0Ncil,l young engineer,
consents to elope with Robert Rcdburn tMr. Harry
Woody prohgatc adventurer, being led to make
this step by jealousy, which Is ngeniously 70
mcnted by Kate Graston, (Mss Lizzie Herbert,
who desires to be rcvenged OH Nedl Clayton for n
fancled wrong. whca OH the brink OF ruin, Ruth
Ia saved by the devotion OF Ned Clayton,
aud Redburn. completely foiled, returns
to- London, where he wins the love OF
Fanny Danvllle, Miss Laura AleXandcrl Il
beauty and all heress Mr.. Danyc {Mr. Knapp
refuses his consent, and threatens to cut oil
Fanny with shilling; Int Rcdburn Inds an un-
expected ally in ~ party by The name OF John
son." tMr Samuel Ryan,) who for share In the
spoils, agrees to secure the consent OF the stern
parent. In the nick OF time this ..party by the
name Of JohnsOn'' saves Rcdburn from expulsion
from Mr. DanvilIe's house, and reminds his sold
pal," Mr.. Danville, that he will prove him guilty
OF forgery and dcserlon unless he consents 70 the
match Fanny Danyillc overhcars both the
charge ana the confession OF her father, ami aE-
peals for aid TO Redburn, who treats her with cut
ting contempt, and declines to have any further
connection with so Infamous set. Ned Clayton,
driven to desperation by the loss OF Ruth,
seeks consolation In the bottle, finding n
worthy companion In "the party by the
name OF Johnson" who, While In state OF
| intoXication, Is thrown into the river. Rcdburn
| charges Clayton with the crime, and proposes TO
| Ruth to refrain from giving evidence against the
accused II she will become his (iedburn's) wife,
This proposition she rejects with scorn, and fees
to an old admircr, Jelck tMr. w. H. Burton.)
| who has the prisoner In charge. Ruth promises
her hand to Ieck II he will coafi1e at the escurc
| OF Clayton. This he consents to do, but Redburn
| makes his appearance as Clayton Is about to
make his escape. Clayton closes with Redburn
| and gets on safe, while Ruth holds Rcdburn In
check until the appearance OF Sergeant Donovan,
tMr. Harrs,) who halls Redburn as the well-Inown
| criminal, "SlIppcry Dick" and llauls him or to
Jail. Tho last act iinds Ruth married to Clayton
In Australia. The only blot on their happiness is
| the charge OF murder against Clayton. This Is
| removed by the dying confession Of Mr..
Danviile. who acknowledges that lie did
| the decd. Redburn appears on the scene rs 4
furnishing busllranger, and rs he is about to shoot
| Clayton Is killed by one Of his pursuers, who
Is :" The party by the name Of Johnson.u
The plot, as will be seen, Is bold ana disjointcu
Ill llc eAtTeInc, OH tlerc arc some telling Stua-
tons, and they were made the best OF. Miss
EIdridgc rs Ruth played with an energy and dra.
| matc force which she had not before shown on
the Charleston stage, and in the lookup scene
| excited the audience to nctlye enthusiasm. The
acting OF this lady throughout the play was natu.
ral and unanected, as well as fervent. Miss Alex.
andsr had but little to do but she lid that little
well, rising In warmth and passion fur above the
level Of " School" and "iIome." In what may
be called "the courting scene" Miss Alexandcr,s
by-plny was capital. Mr.. James O'Neil, as Ned
Clayton, showed 9 manlness and q rugged clio.
qncnce worthy OF great praise. Ills acting was
easy and simple, but forcblc and pointed. There
was no piling up the' agony, no pathos, but every
catching sentiment was cheered to the echo. Mr..
Wood, ms Robert Redburn. did his best W III an
| unthankfnl part. 1t is hard 10 be villain grace.
fully. Mr.. Samuel Ryan, as "the party by the
name OF Johnson" made decided hit. Ills
makeup was thoroughly original, and his acting
excellent. The hunor Of his aclIng made the au.
dence laugh until their Sides acled. All tho less.
er parts were well ncd..
| The scenery was prctty-thc "O!d plor at Eyre.
mont" particularly so, and the spirited playing of
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