The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-21

The Opening of the Chesnut street Theatre.

peen on the qui UiUe for months past to know
What the alterations of the interior of the Ches-
nut Street Theatre would be like and since the
satisfactory announcement was made that the
management would be in the hands of Miss
Laura keene, the desire to learn the capabilities
ot the new company and the chances of success
Ior the establishment under new and more
favorable auspices, has been on the increase.
The result was that densely packed audience
was In attendance last evening, in spite of the
attractions elsewhere, and the new
enterprise was successfully inaugurated
amid much applause. The suggestions
first made in these columns about year ago, as
to the alterations necessary to transform the
Chesnut from one of the most unsghtly and un-
comfortable into one of the most pleasant and
attractive theatres in the United States, have
been, for the most part, carried out, and the re-
suit fully justfes the opinions we expressed on
the subject. The old interior, if not the only,
was at least potent reason for the non-success
OF the theatre, and since this cause of complaint
has been entirely removed, the blame must be
laid elsewhere if the establishment now fails to
secure the regards of the public. The altera-
tions made have been very complete, and for the
most part they are in the very best TASTE The first
floor has been divided into orchestra
and orchestra circle, in which the seats are so
arranged that an excellent view of the stage is
afforded from every point. The galleries have
been moved back several feet, and also the partl-
tion dividing the auditorium from the LOBBY, thus
giving the house a more open and airy appear
ance. The columns supporting the galleries are
light and elegant and the fronts of open iron
work painted in white and gold, and backed
with crimson, are in striking contrast to the old
arrangement. The proscenium has been entirely
remodelled with the exception OF the arch, and
this might have been changed with advantage.
To the intense satisfaction of every person who
has the slightest eye for architectural effect,
the plaster statuary has been removed,
and the heavy columns and pilasters
have been supplanted by. something much
more elegant and artistic The boxes with iron
open work balconies, like the galleries, add ma
terially to the pleasing effect, and ne longer
oppress the people in the other parts of the
house with the idea that their occupants are in
danger of smotheration. The ceiling, with its
frescoes and its handsome chandelier, is nearly
all that remains to remind the spectator of the
old interior. The prevailing colors are white,
geld, and crimson-the seats being covered with
crimson plush, and the walls papered in panels
with two shades of that color, relieved by strips
of plain gold moulding The gas-brackets
are neat and tasteful, and very pleasing effect
is produced by hanging baskets of vines and
flowers suspended from the balcony, and by large
mirrors at each end of the orchestra circle that
reflect every part of the auditorium. The only
objection that can be urged against the archi-
tectural arrangements at present is that the
galleries are too close together, giving q some
what cramped effect. This could have been
obviated by raising the third tier about two feet
and in view of the beautiful appearance of the
house in other respects, it seems q pity it was
not done. The auditorium however, is certainly
one of the most beautiful, if not the most beau
tiful in the country; the seats are large, roomy
and as comfortable as the most fastidious could
desire, and the owner, the architect, and the
lessee are to be congratulated on the radical
changes that have been made, and upon the total
disappearance of what was an eyesore to every
person of taste.
Miss Laura Keene chose the drama of The
Marble Heart for the purpose of inaugurating
the new season and to introduce her company
to the public The selection was not the most
judicious that could have been made, as, ex-
cepting bits here and there, it really affords no
opportunities for such acting will enable the
do fl.nVnc inst and cln
public of what they are capable. The play is
Somewhat of a curiosity, in its way. The author
has endeavored, with very slight success to
give an antique poetical setting to q drama of.
modern French society; and while the object
aimed at is apparent enough, there is an OBJ
security and want of connection between the
poetical and the prosaic sides of the play that
make it very unsatisfactory.
The plot and dialogue are distinguished by
that sketchiness and facttious brillancy that
characterize most of the works of the modern
French school, and even in the strongest scenes
there is a lack of finish and crudeness that the
most expressive acting is not able to overcome.
The Marble Heart was originally produced, we
believe, in England by Madame Celeste, but it is
best known to the theatre-goers of this city as
one of the stock pieces of Mr.. Edwin Adams,
although it is occasionally produced at the
theatres by the regular companies and by stars.
The role of 'Marco"i is one of Miss Laura Keene's
specialties, and some years ago the piece was
brought out in elegant style at her
theatre in New York. Miss Keene's personation
of this character last evening was in high de-
gree artistic, but it lacked force, and the low
tone of voice in which she spoke made it impos-
sible to hear her at times, and she did not pro-
duce the same effect on the audience that she
would have done if she had infused little more
vigor into her style.
Miss May Howard, who appeared as ''Marie,'
acted with grace and feeling, and inspired the
belief that she will be a capable and efficient
assistant to Miss Keene in the leading roles.
Mr.. w. Z. Sheridan the leading man, comes
here with an excellent reputation as an actor
of fine abilities. His personation of Raphael"
while 1t was open somewhat to the objection of
q lack of energy, especially in the early scenes,
proved very clearly that he is genuine artist,
who will certainly make his mark. Mr.. Sheri-
dan erred upon the right side in not over-acting
his part, and his performance was agreeably
free from any approach to rant and bluster. In
the two last acts the agony of the heart-broken
sculptor, repeled by the marble-hearted beauty,
was finely depicted and then Mr.. Sheridan
proved himself to every discriminating Judge in
the house genuine and intelligent artist We
doubt whether he will ever be as popular with
the galleries as some other actors who have at
tempted leading roles at our theatres of late
years, but If he fulfls the promises of last even
ing, he will certainly win the regards of the most
intelligent portion of the playgoing public.
The finest part in The Marble Heart is that of
sVolage," and for this Mr.. Frank Mordaunt is
entirely untitled. Mr.. Mordaunt is a favorite
with the galleries, and some things he can do
very well he cannot play light comedy, how
ever, and his attempts at airiness and grace are
of such an elephantine character that they often
produce an opposite effect from what it is in
tended that they should
Mr.. W. H. Otis as 'Viscount ChateauXmar-
geauX;' Mr.. G. A. McManu,1 as 'Mons. Veau-
dore;" Mr. w. III. Wallis as Lord Merton;''
Mr.. I. A. Creese as Frederick de Courcy;"