The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-08
Amusements.
F. K. TRACY, Sect

AmusemeuISs
AIKEN's MUsEyA-A.Gong the child charac-
tiers delinestsd by Charles Dickens there are
probably none so interesting and fascinating as
Little Emily" in David Copper6eld, and
Little Nell, in the Od Curiosity Shop. ORA
matizations Of bob have been successfully
made, and il is worthy Of note that, while
" Little Emily" is charming the patrons of the
Museum, Little Nell" is enchanting the hsbitues
of the Opera House. We have seen no less
than four dramstizations Of David COpper6eld,
not one Of which may be said to resemble any
Of the others The work which many declare
is Dickens's chef d'oeuvre, embraces too extern
sive field for compression within the bounds
Of even the longest 6ve-sct drama. Hence il
is a matter Of choice for play writer's to take
up the plot OF the novel at almost any point,
and yet to preserve the unites intact. Little
Emily as now performed at the Museum, is a
dramatizatiOn By Andrew Halliday, and we
consider it equl to any other adaptation from
David Copper 6eld. Notwithstanding, however,
that the dIauatist has performed his part well,
We must confess tina. a very large portion of the
success which the piece enjoys is due to the
c4reiulness with which it has been placed on
the Ioards, snd the prOdigality Of the outlay
for scenery and effect. Every inch Of timber
used has been expressly painted for this drama,
aud the result is perfect mise en- scene. If
any scene deserves more praise than the rest it
is probably that Of Canterbury cathc 1ral and
churcbyard, BY moonlight, 10 the second act
Those Who have seen he original, as We have,
must admit the fidelity OF the portraiture; while
the size Of the sacred edifice and the extent Of
view surPsss the hitherto supposed capabilities
Of the Museum stage. Manager Aiken will, no
doubt, receive the warm approval OF the pAtrO ms
Of his theatre, and deserves the most liberal
support that the pub ic can bestow, for the
truly mastery style in which he has placed the
piece on tie boards This however, Is only in
accordance with the usual way OF doing things
at this establishment
We assume that our readers have read David
Copperfeld, and therefore We shall not attempt
to detail the plot Of Little Emily" We may,
story at that point where Uriah Heep becomes
the Law partner of Mr.. Wick6eld The charac.
ters are so numerous Lot only to call forth
all the resources Of the regular company, but
several old favorites, who had been disconnected
from the house, have been afforded an opportu.
nifty Of renewing their acquaintance with fami-
liar audiences That those performers had not
been forgotten was amply shown by the friend
ly greeting which some Of them received. Mrs
Marble, for example, obtained perfect ovation
on the opening night Of the piece, aud it was
some time, on account of the PIaudits, before
she could proceed with her part Daniel Peg
gotty is assumed by Mr.. Frank E. Aiken. Il js
both trying and an important role, one which
tests the " stuff an actors made Of" and yet is
is rendered with ease, fidelity and marked
ability by gentleman who yet has to make his
first failure in anything he attempts NJ.
Aiken never forgets that what is worth
doing at all is worth doing we'll His make
up" is always faultIess, ami success has In
nowise spoiled him, nor made him In the least
degenerate into carelessness even in the most
trivial portion Of bis renditions We have not
space, however, to analize his performances Of
Daniel PeggOtty. Miss Katie Mayhem, young
lady new to the Chicago boards, appears 10 the
title role. Her extreme youth, her pleasing
expression Of countenance, her sylph-hke
figure, and her Artless, winning ways 1t once
enlisted the feelings Of the audience, Who en-
tered con amore into her sh0rt-lived happi nes
and sympathized with her rather extended pc
riod Of distress. II would be unfair to criti-
else too closely Miss Mayhew's performance on
the opening night 1.-THE night we saw her) al
though for an initial appearance it was mos
credtsble. A certain timidity, however, natu
raj to her age, and the trying ordeal Of actin:
leading part for the first time, on a strang
stag, before a strange audience, doubtle,
made her appear 10 less advantage than sh'
would under more favorable circumstances /
was easy, however, to discover that she pos
sessed the sterling material for the form alton o
an accomplished artistic, and we p-edict for her
a brilliant hstrionic career. Mrs. Allen Ap
pears as Rosa Dartle. The role being yer!
repulsive one, is unsuited to the lady, VII
shows to best advantage when representing a
amitblc character Mrs Allen, however, ha
evidently bestowed much study on the part
ard what appeared only an Indifferent re1ditio
FOR her, would probably be considered an sbl
impersonation IL assumed by any other membe
Of the present company. Mrs. MicaWber ha
an Shle representative in Mrs Stonesll, VIII
performs the role with her usual dash an
spirit. Mrs. Marbles Apns ~~rotwOOd is ais
an excellent piece OF acting, and night
evokes deserved applause. Mr.. Linden's rendi
ton Of the vOluble Micawber has the ring Z
the true metal there 10 nothing eOunterfe
bout his acting he il no imitator; his MIcaV
Der is different from and better than tlat Of an
/ other actor we have seen In the part. N
Linden's conception of role is always origins
a and, like true artist. he prefers nature to .
for his model. The leading oh rscteFs are q