New-York tribune., 1870-01-04
THE DRAMA.
rrrrH-AvESUE rHEArER-rHE BUSYBoDY.

rH-AvENUE THEATER-THE BUSYBODY.
Mrs. Centlivre's comedy of The BusybOdy'
was acted at the FfthAyenue Theaer last night The
niece ia An old acquaintance though that is seldom
encountered Five six years ago 1t was done at wal
lacks Theater with Blake, Lester Walack Mark Smith,
Mary Cannon and other favorite players in the cast
and was brilliantly actedl Mr. Days playbil Is there
FORE open the charge OF error in fact as well as IN
English when IL states that " The BusyDody" is now
acted for the 4" first time since thirteen years.
The nfrequency of its recurrence upon the stage not
surprIsing-for 1t fimsy piece complicated and elum
v in construction verbose language, and utterly worth
less as picture OF and except Is acted In
rang STYLE emotions that are the reverse OF
oyfu The time OF the action Is the reign OF Queen
Anne when people astonishing clothes, and were
anything in language. Its story Is that OF Two
pairs OF lovers who outwitted. after much rbulation,
couple Of irritable old gentlemen with thick sticks and
ultimately married to suit themselves. Two chamber
maids pert saucy and inventive, assisted In the mis-
chief. But we need not 20 over the old ground It's
ground hard to travel oyer-ke the road In Little Ped
dingon 4'sooned paved with boot jacks" Besides
we shall presently show, the old critics have left little TO
be said Last nights performance at the Fifth-ave
Theater sufficiently pretty and enjoyable. but in
way remarkable Mr.. James Lewis acted MarI!ot-the
Paul Pry OF old comedy-and made himself
very ludicrOus; which, perhaps, was all that
could be expected. There characterpalntiHg in
his Mdrpiot We have said ALL when we have said that it
was funny Mr. George Clarke acted SIR 6eofge Airy in
o graceful. laDguId fashion. and Mr.. Dayidge made a
great deal OF disturbance. ST Francis Grpe. Miss
Fanny Davenport appeared Miranda. The young
lady the spirit Of mischief and, with more
cison and certainty Of method, VIII win high position
as comedy actress-in parts which require great ami
NAL spirits. The Busybody" was as matter OF course
for handsome scenery the rule at this theaterbrosh
out with good sets scenery Accuracy though not
respected. The London Of Queen Anne's time did not
reappear. Tonight this piece win be repeated Tomor
row night when Mr. f. L. Davenport takes benefit, 1t
will give place to "a New Way to Pay Old Debts"
We have said that the old critics have
pretty thoroughly considered The Busybody" The re-
marks on It which appear in the old Bographia ORA
matca" singular and interesting so that their pres
ent reproduction may perhaps be agreeable to theatr
cal readers "The Busybody" dates back to 1902 and
was first acted at Drury Lane.
FOX AT THE OLYMPIC.
Mr. Fox reappeared at the Olympic last
night We can do little than allude to the cheer
ful incident The return Of Mr.. Fox is the return Of
popular fayorite He appeared in meO-drama. by the
Mortons called "The Writing the WALL" which was
well mounted and. in the main, respectfully played. Mr.
Fox was In cheerful spirits and he aroused great deal
OF laughter and applause. The audience consider
able in numbers and pleasant in disposition Altogether
tho occasion was pleasant
NIBLo's GARDEN.
There will be q Matinee of Little Emily"
at Nblo's Garden wednesday. The play is charming
and is finely represented and 1t merits crowded house
whenever II Is offered But for the arrival of Fechter.
and his appointed time the OF this picturesque and
touching drama could easly-and prosperously-be pro
longer Royal preparations afoot for the advent OF
the famous actor next Monday. when he will present his
Ruv Bias. and win, do not doubt the admiration of
the public.
HERMANN.
The celebrated magician had good house
last night, at the Academy Of Music and brightly
through the following programme: la Carte Generate,
tho Flying Watch. the Floating Stick the Rings, tho
Mlser the Mysterious Glass the Kitchen. tho China Rib
bons. Fire and Water. Concert Monster. Madame Her
mann furnished acceptable musical entertainment
incidental to tho nsoromanoy. Hermann gives two ad
ditiessl performance