The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-28
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.


Woohtend against last evening in the way OF rival
aetracuons AT one of the theatres the most popu-
sr uagedian of the day is crowding the house with
.he class OF paygoers who best disposed to pa
Iohize dramatic art OF an elevated type and at the
oCner establishment new and skilfully advertised
uIama Dy Boucicaut with a suggestion OF impro-
Prlety about it, attracted o crowd OF another kind
III spite OF which, the Chestnut was well filed with
an audience of intelligent ladies and gentlemen
VINO assembled to witness play which is lamenta-
Oily deficient in the sensational element upon which
tne great Boucicault relies for success and
Whlch ne declares, with an impudent selfsufcIency
mas relegated Shakespeare to the closet and rem
dered obsolete the standard dramas which, before
his time, were the delight of many generations of
paygoers-a play which has little to recommend it
but its refined and elevated tone its poetica feel
ng It's touching picture OF honest poverty and true
love struggling against despair and its gmpses of
homely English rural life. II is gratifying TO know
tnat there are playgoers who can appreciate simple
1dyllic drama like this, and its production
at the commencement Of the season is pleasant
augury of the good taste and intelligence which
VIII characterize the new management of the
Chestnut succession OF plays of as pure and noble
type as Rachel the Reaper will give the Chestnut an
enVlable reputation as a house where men can take
their families at all times, without fear That they
will have occasion to repent so doing, and it will
attract to its walls class Of persons who rarely visit
theatrical entertainments Of any kind. If Miss Keene
continues as she has begun, she will deserve aud
doubedy will receive the support OF those who look
upon the drama as high ana noble art, and as q
means OF culture more powerful in its influences
than almost any other.
Charles Reade is undoubtedly one of the most
vigorous dramatic writer's of the day, and wit
his great genius for that class of work, and
in the dearth of good paywrlghts, it is almost a
matter for regret that he did not devote himself eX-
clusivey to dramatic of literature. AS it is he is
either the author part author of OF the very
best works that have been produced in day.
Masks and Faces and The Kings RiDal both plays
that will hold the stage long there actresses
to be found capable Of representing 'Peg Woffing-
ton" and "Nell Gwynne," and his dramatizaton of
Tennysons idyl of ''Dora" will be remembered
when the performances OF Boucicault have been
consigned TO the dirt heap. Whatever else
may be said of Charles Reade, he is at least honest
and sincere, and even in those works which have
been most ercely attacked, the purity of his inten-
tions cannot be disputed. In both MASKS and Faces
and The Kings RiuaL he has given us portraits Of
women OF dubious reputation, but in neither OF these
pieces is there any pandering to vitiated taste or
prurient curiosity; and 1t cannot be disputed that
the tendency of these pieces is pure and elevatng
and they are undsfgured by any of the false and
perverted sentiment which makes such dramas as
Camille offensive The interview OF 'tPeg Wofflng-
tom with the injured wife of her lover and the scene
where "Nell Gwynne" watches from behind the folds
of the curtain the marriage of Rochester" and ala
Belle Stuart" are profoundly pathetic, and while
they excite the deepest pity for the heroine they also
teach lesson that is the more impressive from the
entire absence OF all coarseness in the conception of
the characters and the language of the drama. OF
different style from these the pastoral plays of
Dora and RacheEthe Reaper. The first named achieved
partial success in this city two seasons ago. and q
very decided more recently when pro-
duced under better auspices In New York and
Boston. Those of our readers VINO it when it
was performed at the Chestnut will remember it as
one of the most delightful pieces brought out that
Kann fp
stage of the Chestnut at this time it would probably
receive the need of praise that is due it from in
telligent public.
Rachel the Reaper is the simple story OF poor
girl who is Oegued into marriage by man who has
another wife. Her child is born and dies and then
she is forced to conceal her story for fear it will not
be credited, and that it will prevent her from OBJ
tanning work at the hands of the honest but hard
headed and prejudced rustics. With her old grand
father she wanders about the country reapng in the
fields, the two asking to be paid as one. "Robert
Hathorne the son of blum old farmer is attracted
by her beauty and modest demeanor, and falls in
\ love with her. His father, however, wishes him to
marry his cousin, arose Mayfeld," rich and pretty
widow, who is also courted by "Dck
Hickman" the pretended husband of
''Rachel" whose wife is now dead, and he wealthy
landowner. The interest of the play turns upon the
constant love OF 'Robert Hathorne" for 'Rache -
her growing affection for him, combined with her
dread that the bitter story of her life will be told in
such manner as to ruin her in his estimation; the
efforts of the old farmer to bring about match be-
tween "R0se" and 'Robert" and the attempts Of
several other sutors, including "Dick Hickman" to
gain the hand OF the pretty widow. The piece is a
gem in its way, and only wants little more dra-
matte force and energy to make it most beautiful
/ and fascinating performance.
Miss Keene's personaton Of "Rachel' was in keep
ing with the idyic character of the piece, and she
gave refined and delicate portrait of the poor girl
: suffering under great and unmerited wrong, but
whose troubles finally brought to close, and her
happiness restored by the love of high-muded and
honest man. Mr.. j. H. Jack, who made his first ap-
pearance, was admirable the bluff hearty, good
humored, and imperiOus old farmer and Mr.. Wallis
was equally as good as "Daddy Patrick" the grand
] father of 'Rachel," an old Waterloo campagner of
a fourscore years. Mr. Sheridan represented "Robert
HathOrne" in accordance with the spirit of the text
The character scarcely permits OF much acting,
but Mr.. Sheridan would improve his personation by
infusing a little more energy into his
manner. AS "Dick Hickman" Mr.. Nor
daunt had part exactly suited
to him. and he did it very well; and Miss
Jennie Anderson, who appeared for the first time,
made favorable impression as "Rose Mayheld."
Mr.. vining Bowers made good representative of
the comic character of the piece, 'Mr. Casenower,'
scientific agriculturst and butterfly collector, who
is numbered among the suitors OF the pretty widow
The part Of "Dame Hathorne" was creditably filled
by Miss Mary Carr; and Messrs. w. j. Stanton and
B. +. McNulty were amusing as the representatives
OF q couple OF comical Irisnmen
The piece is put upon the stage with care and goot
taste, although 1t gives but little opportunity fo
scenic display, and it is well acted throughout.
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