The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-25
MUSIC Al AND DRAMATIC.



The first performance of NJ. r., the new comedy
by the author OF Ours Caste School, aud other pieces
that have obtained popularity, attracted a good
audience to the Arch last evening. M. y. signifies
Member Of Parliament, and the main incidents are
connected with the lntrigues for the election OF
rival candidates, of whom is the highly honora-
bio but excessively inane fashionable British gen.
tleman, or rather "swell," OF the period, and the
other the conventional 'self-made man." with a
dash Of real character in him. for which,
however, we believe that Mr. Craig, who sustained
the part last evening" is entitled to credit than
the author The subject is one that requires for its
most efective dellneation more vigorous pen than
that commonly welded by Mr. Robertson, and while
there is better writing in NJ p than in anything that
Bouccaut has lately done, 1t is not as strong piece
as Boucicault would have turned out II he had
undertaken to manipulate the same theme The
chief characteristic of Robertson's plays are a
neatly managed plot neatly arranged situations,
and neat dialogue that is often animated and
really witty and not seldom vapd and Yearisome In
the extreme. All OF these characteristics find in
M p, the opening OF which introduces to us some
OF the more refined male personages, whose
drawing conversation has anything but an enlven-
ing effect. The appearance of some OF the
ladies and some of the more vulgar
male personages upon the scene brlghtens
up .thet performance, and by the time
the curtain drops upon the first act the audience is
impressed with the idea that there may be really
some good entertainment in the piece. Mr.. Mackay
and Mr. Hill act the parts Of "Dunscombe Duns-
combe, ESQ.," and "Pers Talbot" with nice dscrim-
nation but it would really be an improvement If they
would drop the peculiar drawl which, although
Characteristic OF the style Of personages they repre-
sent, is insuferably wearisome.
The staple OF the plot relates to the ntrigues and
bribery incident to a British election, and here the
dramatic talent of the author is shown to the best
advantage as 1t is in the love stories that are intro
duced as accessories to the main theme Much OF
the dialogue is exceedingly well written, and In
n 10 ia a m al a
is not often in the play-wring of the present
day. All the parts last evening were well sustained
but Mr.. Craig rather carried Off the hOnors with his
very amusing personation OF the ''self-made man"
'Isaac Skoome," unless, indeed, Mrs. Drew is ent-
tied to share them with him for her vivacious and
humorous acting of the part of "Cecea Dunscombe."
''Ernani" mt the Chestnut.
We are happy in the belief that the blonde bur-
lesque business is literally on its last legs, for while
the travesty of Ernani, which was produced at the
Chestnut last evening by the Lisa Weber troupe, is
no worse than some burlesques we have been called
upon to witness since the invasion of the blondes,
the audience found it very hard to extract much
amusement from 1t, and the wel-worn jokes and
doubles eRtendTeS that a few seasons ago would
set theatre in a roar fell very nat indeed. 1t is
possible that an intelligent public anxious to enjoy
a novel sensation, may, for time, find entertain
ment in such performances the blonde burlesquers
afford, but it is not in human nature to
endure more than q certain amount of utterly
idotic attempts at fun, indecent illusions, and eX-
hibitons Of the female figure Miss Lisa Weber in
her performance last night gave her audience most
Of the old Lydia Thompson business that disgusted
decent people in this city last season, and 1t is
gratifying indication of an improved taste In our
theatre-goers that it failed to excite much enthus-
asm; and it will be matter for sincere gratihca-
ton If such performances can in future be BAN
ished to concert nails and variety theatres, where
they belong, and leave the legitimate boards to the
class OF entertainments that the more judcious por-
gpa thann
MIR. j. q. CinrAe rs s'Heury Dovev
Mr. j. s. Clarke commenced the second week of
his engagement at the Walnut last evening to
house crowded in every corner with an audience
bent upon enjoying couple OF hours OF hearty
laughter Buckstones farcical play of Married Life
is an abundanty amusing piece of itself, but Mr.
Clarke gave it additional attraction by his very
funny personaton of "Henry Dove" Mr. Clarke Is
a genuine farce actor, and in such a charac-
ter as "Henry Dove" he has excellent
opportunities to give his peculiar talents full
play. His performan ce last evening in an emf
nent degree mirth-nspirng, and was highly enjoyed
by all who witnessed It..