The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-18
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.



Such an audience as was assembled at the
Walnut last evening to welcome Mr.. j.
Clarke back to Philadelphia, after an absence Of
nearly four years, was of itself one of the
highest compliments that could have been paid
to the actor. The house was literally jammed
from parquet to dome and the orchestra even
turned out of their enclosure, aud Mr.. Hassler
was obliged to lead his tuneful choir upon the
stage itself. The reception which Mr.. Clarke
met with when he made his appearance
was as cordial as he could have desired, and when
called out by the enthusiastic applause at the
end of the opening play, he expressed in few
appropriate words his cordial appreciation OF
the favor with which the Philadelphia public
had always regarded him, and his gratitude for
the hearty welcome that had been extended to
him after his long absence.
The 'Dr. Pangloss" of Mr.. Clarke has always
been considered as one of his best personations.
The figure of the learned tutor as sketched by
the dramatst is itself a ludicrous exag-
geration, and it affords abundant temptations to
an actor to carry extravagance beyond
the limits of legitimate comic art. To say
that Mr.. Clarke does not do this at
times would be an eXaggeraton but his per-
Torrance of the part is toned down consider
ably from what it used to be, while it has lost
nothing in genuine comic power. Other actors
give very excellent presentations of CDR Paug-
loss" but none of them are as funny as Mr.
Clarke, who is, beyond dispute, the most mirth-
inspiring of all the comedians. The Reir-dt-
Ld1o is a pleasant old comedy that has very
many merits of its own, although it keeps the
stage principally for the sake of ''Dr. Pdnglo 49,"
The old eX-tallow chandler, with his wife and
son, and the honest ploughman and his sister,
are all admirable sketches of character, and the
play itself is one that is well worth seeing for
it's own sake. The performance last night was
meritorious throughout, and Mrs. Walcots per-
sonation of "Cicily Homespun," in particular,
was charming.
The new version of Toodles, which was pre-
sented as an afterpiece is an improvement in
some respects over the very dreary piece that
our playgoers have been accustomed to for so
many years. Its chief merit, however, is that it
gives "Toodles" q better opportunity to display
his eccentricities. The Goodies" of Mr. Clarke
is funny it ever was, while it is less often
sive to good taste than it was wont to be in the
days when Burton established standard for
"Toodles' that every comedian considered him
self obliged to conform to.
The performance last evening was brilliant
affair altogether and established the fact thai
Mr. Clarke had as firm hold upon the regards
of Philadelphia playgoers as ever.
The City Amusements.
AT THE ACADEMY OF Music Mad'lle Nillson
will appear for the fourth time in concert on
Thursday evening next. She will also appear
al matinee performance on Saturday.
AT THE WALNUT Mr. J. s. Clarke will per-
senate 'Dr. Pangloss, LII. d. and A. S. s." and
"Iimothy Toodles" this evening.
AT THE CHEsNUT the extravaganza of Pluto;
or The Magic Lyre, will be represented this
evening by the Lingard troupe.
AT THE ARCH the drama of Man and Wife
will be performed this evening.
AT THE ELEVENTH STREET OPERA HOUSE
an entertaining programme of minstrelsy will
be presented this evening.
AT THE ARCH STREET OPERA HOUSE an
interesting variety of songs, dances and bur-
lesques will be given this evening.
1T THE AMERICAN variety entertainment is
announced for this evening.