The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-09

''Much ADO AboU1 No,n,rr,, ~. .

ence at the Arch Street Theatre last evening.
The taste and elegance with which the play is
put upon the stage, and the very superior |
manner 10 which il is acted throughout, entitle |
the performance to the warmest praise, and TO |
all the success which II is likely TO meet with |
during the next two weeks. Much Ado Abom |
Nohsng Is acted more frequently than any Of |
Snakespesres comedies and IL is consequently |
wen known 10 the playgoing public. AS 10 |
many of Shakespeare's woiks, the characters |
around whom the greatest interest cen.
tres have but slight connection |
with the plot, and the success of the play is
therefore dependent entirely upon the manner
in which the actors acouit themselves, and not |
upon the interest of the story. The parts OF
"Benedickp and Beatrice" are favorltes with
actors who essay the higher walks of comedy,
but the number of those who have achieved
reputation as the representatives of these vola
tile and laughter owing creations of the poet is
limited to few names. The characters are
drawn with such consummate skill, and their
wit and merriment are so spontaneous, that it
seems difficult at all times to realize them upon
the stage with the requisite ease aud grace
Miss Josie OrtOn Is one of the very few
actresses who has of late years appeared to
decided advantage as Beatrice and
her performance of the part has not been
equalled, certainly upon the Philadelphia
stage. for long time. Miss Orton loses nothing
In comparison with Mrs. Drew, excellent as Is
that lady's personaton. Mrs. Drew's "Bea-
trice, like all her comedy is refined, elegant,
and most enjoyable piece of acting. In the
early scenes of the play especially, she realizes
the bright, sparkling, and vivacious disposition
of the witty heroine admirably. In the we'd
ding scene, and in the subsequent interview
a
accusation made against Hero" has too much
the appearance of being assumed, and when
she urges "Benedick" to challenge "Claudio"
she seems to treat the affair in rather joking
spirit, and with less real earnestness than the
occasion demands. Mrs. Drew, however, plays
the part as few actresses of the day could play
it, and her beatrice" is entitled TO very hearty
praise.
Mr.. Barton Hill is usually at his best In high
comedy, and "benedick" is one of the best per-
sonations he has given since he has been at
tached to the Arch street company. The part
is in every way better suited to him than that
of 'Malvolio," and his acting is spirited and
shows a thorough appreciation OF the require
ments of the character. MIR. Everly gives a
refined and intelligent representation Of Don
Pedro,n and Mr.. James makes an acceptable
Claudio acting the part much better than he
did that Of "Orsino" in TtceJh Night. Miss
Price makes a graceful and pleasing Hero
and Mr.. Charles e. Voltz as "Leonato." Mr..
Wallis as "Antonio," and MIR. Creeae as "Dou
john" perform their parts creditably. We are
somewhat surprised to find that Mr.. Wallis was
not cast for the part of "Leonato,"a as his ability
and experience are more requisite to this part
The best thing in the play, however, is Mr..
Mackay's 'Dogberry." This character could
scarcely fail to be Infinitely amusing under any
circumstances, but Mr.. Mackay acts 1t super
latively we'll, and he fully sustans the reputa-
sion which he won in il a year or two ago at
the Chesnut. No less excellent is Mr.. Craigs
''Verges." This antique parsonage has very
little to say, but that little is said with eject.
Mr.. Craig's "make-up" Is capital, and he is the
persOnifcation of antiquated imbecillty, and
throughout the scene in which he appears,
although his more garrulous companion
manages to monopoize most OF the conversa-
tion, Mr.. Craig's thoroughly artistic acting
makes this small part one OF the first Importance.
Even if Much ado About Nothing were per.
formed but indifferently well in other respects,
1t would be worth visit to see these two
broadly comic characters so humorously repre-
sented as they are by Ncssrs. Mackay and
Craig.
Mrs. Drew has placed Much Ado About Nothing
on the stage Ill HuulTtUtc styiSs AhO oSVhSAJ is
very good, although the gar len scene In the
second and third acts is not improved by the
clumsy cut trees which are scattered about the
stage. The opening scene by Hawthorne, repre-
senting a terrace before 'Leonato's" palace
overlooking the Bav Of Hessina and the bali
room scene In the second act, by Fetters, posses
much merit. The costumes are rich, elegant
and in the best taste, and they ado
greatly to the effect of the perform
ance. The play passed of with muci
spirit last evening, and it will doubtless
improve at each performance; 1'oelfm N'gh
was much better on the twelfth night than
was on the first. A few more wstchmen in th'
street scene of the third act would not be amiss
and for the minions of Don John" 70 be over
powered by numbers would make their non-re
distance more reasonable. As IL is, however
there Is very little to find fault with and mucl
10 praise, aud the appreciation OF the perform
ance, shown by the audience last evening, lndi
Gates that good plays only have to De put OF
the stage with care and good tasle, ana 70 o.
well acted to prove as attractive as those Whlci
depend entirely upon the scenery and mechahl
cal effects for success.
The City Amusements-
ATTHE ARCH Shakespeares comedy OF M%uc %
Ado Ab0ut Nothing Will Do periorneo 'ni
SVenlns, VIZ rur Mr. and Mrs, Barney VII