The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-13

Elise Holt BurlesQue Troupe nj tho CI,csnut
The theatres OF the country are now being over
run by grand army OF English blondes who treat
the public to what in the fashion Of the hour is termed
Duresque, but which means as lavish display of
the female person as a liberal construction of the
laws against indecent exposure will permit The
mucn-aDused Black Crook, and the freedom of style
WINCH IN the case of Tosee and other French b0u6e
artists, excited much indignation in certain quar-
ters, were nothing to the latest developments of the
English burlesque. The worst OF it is that this style
O performance has nothing OF the grace and elegance
of the Black Crook and White Fd,On baets nothing OF
the real artistic merit OF the opera bo6c interpreted
10y the Partisan actors, but it is distinguished by
Vulgarty that is essentially English. OF English
burlesque we have had enough and to spare
of late, and we shall not be sorry to change in
the public taste that will make such exhibitions as
that given at the Chestnut last evening no longer
profitable to managers. The so-called burlesques Of
Byron and other London writers are not usually on
subjects that the people on this side Of the Atlantic
either know anything about and their success
depends entirely on forced adaptation to American
tastes the introduction Of local gags thewrg-
CLING, kicking smrking, and eXtravagant cOntortions
of undressed women. The burlesque troupe which
left the Chestnut fortnight ago succeeded because
the entertainment presented variety of amusing
features which entirely Independent of the sub
ject OF the burlesque proper, and because of the
strong combination of excellent performers. They,
however, kept within the bounds Of decency, and
there nothing particularly Objectionable in any
thing said or DONE
Lucretia Borgia, M. D., the piece which wa
produced last evening, is about on a par
with Mr. Byron's other efforts in the same
line; it is full of puns, some good and some
bad, and fair proportion Of jokes and local hits
which the audience can appreciate without any
great mental effort, but there is not single really
comic situation liz the piece except such as are ere
ated by the actors themselves.
Miss Elise Holt, the leader of the band, is good
looking neatly built, with fair singing voice, fasc
mating smile that approaches grin, and style Of
acting that approaches close upon the borders of in
decency in manner and language. Miss Holt is il
many respects the most lively and taking of tht
blonde interpreters of burlesque that we have hat
here but her very free style, and vulgar Jests anC
low songs, not at all nice. Miss Holt has gooC
support in Mr.. James Lewis as "Lucretia Borgia
Mr.. James Carleton as "Rustighello," Mr.. Harry
Wall as "The DoOk," Mr. Z Eberle as 'Jubetta
and Misses Il. Weathersby, Lille Eldridge, Bei
Hewitt, ,and Ella Spencer, who persOnate foul
frocsome young gentlemen, and display four pair
Of pink legs for the deectation OF the intelligent
public.
The performance last evening commenced with
piece called The Fool OF the Family, which woulC
have been simply stupid had not Miss Howitts acting
made IL coarse. If the public like this of thing
they Will give 1t their patronage; but as we sale
yesterday, this is not buresque In any proper sens
as having too much even OF agood thing, and th'
so-called burlesque performances appear to be nov
approaching a point where they ought to be dis
countenanced.