The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-12
"Thc Forty Thieves, mt the Walnut.


The tales of "Ali Baba, or The Forty Thieves"
and "Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp, are two
of the most popular of the celebrated "Araban
Nights Entertainment" series. They are to be
found In the French translation which first in
troduced these Oriental legends to the public of
Europe and America but Ii is singular that there
ia no mention of them and no stories at all re-
sembling them in the more authentic and scho-
larly translation Of the original work by E. W.
Lane. Both of the tales are of unmistakable
Oriental origin, and It Is probable
that the French translator either
worked upon spurious copy, or finding
some of Sheherazades variations to be rather
uninteresting, and not likely to suit the Euro
pean taste, he took the liberty of inserting other
stories in their place. AS the translation
was made for the benefit of general readers
rather than students of literature, this liberty
was excusable enough, especially as q large por-
Z. tion of the original work, translated by Mr.
Lane, is exceedingly tedious, and many of the
stories are either long drawn out and SO point
less, or so much alike that their omission from
apopular edition Is no loss.
The story of 1.-THE Forty Thieves" has been
exhibited on the stage in the shape of a spec
tacular melodrama and as burlesque it has
had very remarkable success in various places
where 1t has been represented. At Nibo's Gar
Thompson troupe have proved even more at
tractive than The Black Crook, although it re-
mains to be seen whether The Forty Thieues
will have as long run as that very remarkable
inspiration of Mr.. Barras which made the for
tunes of the author and some dozen or more
managers.
The burlesque of I1ion failed to make hit at
the Walnut, mainly, we opne, because the jokes
which are the life of such pieces as this, how
ever well suited to the latitude of London, were
havorless here. The Forty Thieves, which was
produced at the Walnut on Saturday evening,
will, in all probability have better luck, it Is
o very much more popular subject, and some
pains have been taken to adapt it to the tastes of
she Philadelphia audiences. The local and po-
litical hits and illusions are not all remarkable
for the briliancy of their wit, but they are of a
kind that an audience is quick to appreciate,
and it would not be a disadvantage If the piece
were to be still further pruned of some Of
Mr.. Byron's rather fiat puns, and more
localisms introduced. The plot of the
original story has been followed closely enough
for burlesque purposes, but it has been treated in
burlesque way, and as placed upon the stage at
the Walnut the audience have an opportunity to
delight themselves by inspecting forty pair of
legs of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Judging
from good many specimens that have come
under our notice during the past half dozen
years, we have sadly come to the conclusion that
the general symmetry of the feminine leg has
been sadly oyerrated, and that it is thing to be
grateful for that fashion has decreed its conceal
ment under ordinary circumstances. There are
differences of opinion on this point, however,
and so, every one to his taste.
The Misses Willmore good-looking, and
they are well up in the usual burlesque business.
They are both graceful dancers, and their sing
ing is sufficiently good for the purposes of the
pieces in which they appear. Miss Jennie ap-
+, pears as 'Ganem," the son Of "Ali Baba" and
= Miss Lizzie as "Abdalla," the leader of the
band of robbers. Mr.. Felix Rogers; who accom-
panied the ladies from London, has the most
real talent of the trio, and he gives very laugh
able personation of ''Hassarac," the heavy vii
lain of the piece. The remaining parts are well
sustained by the members of the company, and
Mrs. Walcot, who appears as "Morgiana," could
eclipse the ''stars" If she chose to make the
effort.
The burlesque has been placed upon the stage
+. In very handsome style. The scenery is unusu
ally elegant and the dresses are rich and costly
The forty ''flne young females who personals
the thieves are well trained, and they execute
their marches and evoutiOns with great dea
OF skill and precision.
4 Previous to the burlesque on Saturday evening
q farce, entitled That Rascal JOCK was per
formed in which Mr.. Rogers appeared as
comical serving man, who attempts to serve tw'
masters This gentleman has already esta
blished himself in the regards OF the public as
low comedian of far more than usual ability
His "Biles," in the drama OF Miri0Ut's Crime
was one OF the best things of its kim
that has been seen at any o
our theatres for years, and his "Rasca
Jack" is an excellent piece OF broad farce act
ing For some reason, farces have rather fallel
into disrepute OF late years. and it is very seldom
indeed, that any pains are taken TO do then
well. The actors scarcely ever know thei
parts and what used TO be one of the mos
attractive features OF an evenings entertain
nent is now entirely neglected by very many q
our play-goers. II ia, therefore, somewhat Of
treat to meet with an actor who cares to pla
farce characters well; and If IL is true that Nj
Fawcett has severed his connection with th
theatre, Mr.. Rogers win be valuable addition
the company If the management can secure hi
asa permanent attraction.