The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-31

"Lor,lou,, mt, the Walnut.

lights and ShGdOtrS OF me Gred6 CtBs lulS
title held out some expectations that we're not
realized by the piece ITSELF which might be
located anywhere else as well as in London, and
there is nothing whatever in its plot, character,
or incidents To connect it with the British me
4ropolis The scenery for the most part con-
sists of views in and about London which have
the appearance of being accurate, although some
of them are exceedingly indifferent as works of
art, but their adaptation to the drama is very
much forced and sometimes decidedly inappro-
pirate. The title and the scenery seem
to be alter thoughts, for which, 1t
may be, we are indebted to the genius
of Mr.. john 3. Clarke, who appears
on the bills ma one Of the authors of the drama.
Mr. Clarke We know very well to be an excellent
actor, unsurpassed, indeed, in his particular
line, whose success in London has been the
cause of much congratulatlon with his admirers
here; but up to the present time he has not
figured as a play-writer, and we shrcwdly sus-
pect that, rs his name only appears as part au-
thor of the drama under consideration, for the
purpose of obtaining an American copyright,
he has contented himself with giving il n title.
The want of connection between the title and
the play Is matter of comparatively small
importance, however, II the piece Itself has
merit We regret, however, that we cannot
sneak of it in terms of absolute enthusiasm, aS
it is not very ingenious rehash of pretty old
material. that has done good duty ON the boards
in dozens of dramas before to-day. Mr.. Henry
Leslie is well known as the writer oe several
popular plays, and he has done vastly better
work than this, which Is not up to the low
standard of excellence by which works of its
class are judged
The Incidents turn upon the adventures of
girl, "Alice," who being abandoned in her in
fancy by her parents is brought up by thief
and footpad named "Ralph Heron" as his own
daughter. Grown to be n woman, she is noticed
by young lawyer named "Harold Forester"
who falls in love with her and who induces his
father to employ her as a housckeeper. Here
she is discovered by "Ralph Heron" who en-
deavors to make her furnish him with money,
and who on her refusing contrives that she shall
be accused of robbery of his own committing.
For this crime she is tried at the Old Bailey and
is acquitted through the efforts Of "Toby
Mapletoft," pill vender to whom "Har-
old" has done kindness, which he en-
Ideavors to repay by getting on the jury, with
determination to stand out against the other
eleven, if it should be necessary to save "Alice"
After the acquittal of Ace, tis discovered that
her parents have endeavored to repay her for
their abandonment by dying and leaving her
large fortune, which in she cannot be
found is to 90 to the person who has taken care
of her. "Ralph Heron" attempts to get pos
session of this money by secreting himself on
board of steamer on which she embarks for
Australia and throwing her overheard when he
has an opportunity to do 80 uuobserved. He
then puts in claim for the fortune, and pro-
duces the proofs of his having cared for the
girl in her infancy, and is apparently on the
point of gaining his object, when "Alice," who
has been rescued, steps in to accuse him of at
til
arms of her lover as the curtain goes down.
There is a little matter of forgery committed
by ''Job Forester" the father of Harold" and
some comic business thrown in to give the piece
flavor; but for all that London; or, The Lights
and Shadows of the Great city, cannot be pro-
nounced very eXhilaratiHg piece.
The performance on Saturday evening was
reasonably good for first night the leading
parts being credltably represented by Mr.. Walcot
as "Harold Forester" Mr.. Morrison as "Ralph
Heron" Mr. Fawcett as ''Bob Austin, Mr.. Brad
shaw as "Toby Mapletoft," Miss Graham as
"Alice Heron" Miss Rose Wood 'Letty,''
and Mrs. Chapman as Lady Euphemia." Mr..
Morrison had the best opportunities, and he gave
an excellent melodramatic representation of
I'Ralph Heron" Mr.. Fawcett also had charac-,
ter suited to him in the lawyers office fag,
t'Bob Austin" but more real humor was shown
concilable juryman. "Toby Mapetoft." 1t
would be amiss not to mention also that Miss
Mary Barr, who has made favorable impress
sion during the past season or two in subordi-
nate parts, sang the ballad Somebody's Wait
ing for Me" very nicely indeed, and obtained
deserved encore.
The best scenery is that representing London
Bridge in the prologue Charing Cross Hotel and
Railway Depot, and the London Docks, with the
departure of the steamer Melbourne in the Sc
cond act. The views of Temple Bar and st.
Paul's Church are tolerable and that of Green
witch Park abominable. Any of our Philadelphia
scene painters, however, could have done much
better than the best of these performances of the
London artist, which will scarcely he considered
FbyIthe majority of the spectators to be ''nearly
as good as trip to London" as is suggested by
the play bills.
On Saturday night much amusement wat
caused by the appearance in one of the boxes O
an elderly gentleman in a corduroy coat and al
antiquarian white hat of portentouo height whom
we imagined to be the original ''Solon Shingle.
The boysA In, the gallery, however, discovered
resemblance to Horace Greeley, and called for
speech.i4 The Individual in question, however
was not of an oratorical turn of mind, but ht
graciOusly bowed in recognition of the applause
bestowed upon the piece. Could he have beer
the author flNA Gt1J
q Il tiIMuOAaT -
The City Amusements.
AT TIE a GHIESSNpT gthe. Galton troupe will ap
sna A MRss MGRsfss Susan Sa GatGa, GGa%a
and her comDany have been attracting eXcellen