The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-11
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
"Littlo Em'Iy,' at tho Arch.

Moro than any writer in the English language,
except Shakespeare, Charles Dickens has succeeded
in giving vitality to his characters He mas created
long list OF personages that the public have almost
ceased 70 think OF as creatures Of the novests ina
gination and to look upon as realities. There is
this very distinction between Shakespeare and
Dickens however, that places the novelwriter very
far below the dramatst- created charac-
sers by mental analysis and by subtle insight
into the profoundest depths Of human nature, while
Dickens seldom even attempts to penetrate below
the surface-and II he does, he generally
fails = and performs the much easier task
of giving emphasis to his figures by the exag
geraton Of superficial traits This very tendency to
caricature, however, offers great inducements to
the actors who, in stage version OF any OF Dickens
stores furnished with an array OF frstrate act
ing parts that certain to tell on the audience, In
spite OF any deficiency in the play ITSELF and how de-
fective most attempts to dramatze Dickens really
are no play-goer need be told. Repeated expert
ments and repeated failures have shown that 1t Is
next 10 impossible to reduce one OF his novels to the
dimensions Of an acting drama 80 as to preserve the
thread OF the story unbroken: and the author
OF the piece produced at the Arch last
evening has gone the right way to work by
selecting a single episode, which, however,
has sufficient consistency and completeness In itself
to answer all reasonable dramatic requirements.
The story Of Little Emily, as given In David Copper
field" is In opinion the finest piece OF pathetic
writing that ever emanated from Dickens pen, and
Mr. Arthur Halliday in the play brought out at the
Arch last evening, has with much skill succeeded In
retaining most OF the fine points OF the original To
relieve the more sombre features OF the principal
story ''Wilkins McawDer" is introduced; and
although the fortunes that distinguished person.
age have little or nothing to do with the main sub
ject the amusement caused by him is a sufficient
excuse for his appearance on the stage.
The plot Of the play leaves something to the imagi
nation OF the spectator, but it is made out with
tolerable clearness, and 1t presents several very
4 imDreSgiVe
relation OF 'Em1y's' flight by "Ham," and the de-
parture OF Peggoy In search OF her at the close Of
the second act; the interview between Martha"
"Peggotty," and "David Copperheld" in the third
act, when the lost woman consents to assist In the
search and the return Of "Emy to the ark, and her
terrible interview with "Rosa Darte," in the fourth
act. The actors realized much OF the power and
pathos of these situations the dialogue of which is
for the most part In the very words Of Dickens and
the audience was liberal with sympathetic applause.
Most or the characters were very well sustained
last evening, and the success aof the play was due
more to the good acting than to its merits
Mr.. Mackay, as "Uriah Heep," carried off the honors
of the evening by most admirable and thoroughly
artistic piece OF characterization. In parts Of this
kind Mr.. Mackay has probably no superior tho
stage; and he represented all the meanness vii
lainy, and "umbeness" Of "Uriab" without undue
exaggeraton, and with excellent appreciation
OF the real requirements OF the part. Mr.. Cath
carts 'Peggotty' was the most agreeable persona
in the second act, where he learns of "Em1ys"
Night he was particularly fine. Mr. James also
gave an excellent performance Of the part of
Ham," throwing more real feeling into his
acting than we thought him capable of. Mr.
Craig's "Micawber" was very funny but 1t
far from being good piece of work, and an
attempt to represent the character that Dickens
drew 1t must be set down as q failure. That Mr.
Craig act this part believe, and his persona
ton would be improved If he would refrain from
a~Sna oo1r Nv t,Iuh
cature. 'Rosa Dartle" is one of the most singular
OF Dickens creations. and Miss Alice Pacide made
avery decided impression by her forcble and excel
lent representation OF 1t. Miss Lizzie Price acted
the. part OF "Litte Emily" with much grace and
pathos, and Mrs. Thayer was the real "Betsy Trot-
wood" Mrs. Drew as MARTHA" acted with fine
expression In the scene In the third act with "Peg
gotty" and 'Davld Copperneld," which was almost
the only opportunity Afforded her to display her
abilities in q marked manner. Mrs. Maeder gave
meritorious personation of "Mrs Micawber," and
the remaining parts were well sustained, with the
exception OF "Davd Copperheld," who was anything
but an interesting character in the hands Of MI.
Stoddart
Little Emily is placed upon the stage In handsome
style, with scenery by Messrs. Hawthorn and
Fetters. The view Of Canterbury Cathedral in the
third act and the shpwreck in the fourth act,
particularly good, although rather ludicrous effect
was produced last evening in the last-named scene
by the peculiarmanner in which the rocking OF the
vessel was represented.
The City Amusements.
THE ITALIAN OPERA-This evening Donizettis
opera OF Polfuto will be performed, with Miss
Kellogg pauline" and Signor Lefranc as
'POliutO" It has been some time since this work
has been performed, and as 1t will introduce Miss
Kellogg In newrole, it ought to attract full house.
Briol and Signor Massimiani in the leading roles.
AT THE CHBSNUT the drama OF Bow for BlOW
and the .c0medietta OF Two Can Play at that Game
will be represented this evening
AT THE WALNUT the military drama OF Not Guilty
will be given this evening
AT THE ARCH the drama OF Little ER'ty will be re-
peated this evening.
AT DUPREz BENEDIcT's OPERA HOUSE laugh
able series OF Ethiopian burlesques will be presented
this evening.
AT THE ELEvRNTH STREET OPERA HOUSE fine
programme OF burnt cork comicalities will be offered
this evening.
SIGNOR BLITz and his son will give an exhibition
of magic this evening, at the Assembly Building.
matinee tomorrow.
AT THE GERMAN THEATRE, Coates street, near
Franklin, a concert will be given on Thursday even
ing, under the direction Of Frederick Tledemann, in
aid OF the German Hospital. fine programme will
theatre free OF charge, and all the artists have vol
unteered the entire receipts will go to the hospital
and we hope THAI there will be crowded house, as
the object is q most worthy one.
BECK's PHILADELPHIA BAND viii give their twenty
first uuadrille party tomorrow evening at Musical
Fund Hall According to the new regulations that
have only been put in force this season. members are
entitled to cards OF admission TO four parties, their
wear commencing from the time of joining The
subscription is IS per annum, and the parties are
conducted in excellent STYLE and are really first
f.ao anfa rfaiB