The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-27
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
The Oitv Amusements.

AT THE CHEsNUT Massinger's play of A NeD
Way to Pay old Debts, with Mr.. Davenport as
t'Sir Giles Overreach," will be performed this
evening. tomorrow, and on Wednesday. The
'Sr Giles" of Mr.. Davenport created a decided
sensation last week, and 1t has been pronounced
by all who have seen 1t as one of the most pow
erful pieces of acting ever seen in modern times
in this city. The character of "Slr Giles Is
portrayed in strong colors by the dramatist
who, if report be true, took this method of
revenging himself upon ono who had injured
him. and 1t has, from the opportunities IL affords
for vigorous acting, ever been a favorite with
such tragedians as Garrick, Keau, the elder
Booth the younger Booth, aud Mr.. Z. L. Daveu-
port. This last named artist certainly has no
living rival in the part, and his performance is
wonderful for the ease and naturalness
with which he produces the most
powerful effects. AS picture of intense ma
lignity, interruptions ambition, and a cunning
that is at once mean aud audacious, the "Sir
Giles 0yerreach" of Mr.. Davenport Is unsur-
passed. Whether the dramatist intended it or
not, Mr.. Davenport distinctly repre- sents ''Sir
Giles" as a monomaniac; there are evidences of
Madness but madness with distinct method in
it, from the first scene of the play, and the last
scene, where all the dee s-laid plans of the
usurer come to nothing, is a fearful exhibition
=
piece of tragic acting, which no person who has
any appreciation of high dramatic art should
omit seeing.
Neac Way 10 Pay Old Debts is not in every
respect the best of Massingers plays although
it is the only one which has kept permanent
possession of the stage, principally on account
of the character of ''Sir Giles Overreach." His
City Mddd,a as play, is in our opinion, supe-
rior to Ne,o Way to Pay Old Debts, and the
character of Luke" in it is, if not so powerful,
a more artistic because finer portrature than
''Sir Giles" This part was occasionally played
by Kean and the elder Booth, but so far as we
are aware, 1t has not been attempted by any
actor of the present day. Since the public have
shown such an appreciation for the standard
drama as represented at the Chesnut aud espe-
cially for the "Sir Giles Overreach" of Mr.. Dav-
export, would it not be worth while to revive
this other fine comedy of Massinger's especially
as the part of Luke" is one that will give our
greatest tragic actor some magnificent oppor-
tunities:
AT THE WALNUT Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams
will commence q farewell engagement this even
ing previous to their departure for Europe. The
drama of The Fairy Circle; or, Con o. Cdroldn's
Dream, the comedy of The Custom of the
Country, and the comedletta of Who Speaks
First will be represented.
AT THE ARCH Lotta will commence an en-
half dozen characters in John Broughams s
drama of The Little DetectiUe.
AT CONCERT HALL concerts will be given this
evening tomorrow, and Wednesday, in
which the child violinist Americas, will appear r,
supported by Mile Rossett Mile Frda de &C.
belle, Mr.. Wilbelm Lotti, Mr.. Albert Laurence,
Sgnora Jedsca, Mr.. Harry Sanderson, and Mr..
William Apply.
AT THE MUSEUM. Ninth and Arch streets,
the drama of The Ivchetof- Leave Man will be
represented this evening.
AT THE AMERICAN variety of novelties will
be presented this evening.
AT THE ASSEMBLY BUILDING the two-headed
girl, the Kentucky giant, and the Nova Scotia
giantess will remain on exhibition during the
present week.
THE GERMAN OPERA.-A season of German
opera of seven nights and two matinees will
commence on Friday evening next at the Acade-
my of Music. The following operas will be
performed: The ,JeloesS, The Huguenots, VIII
liam Tell TdnnhauSer, Fra Didoolo, &rddelld,
Magic Flite, and TroudtOre. The subscription
price for the nine performances is fixed at 80,
and subscription tickets will be for sale to-
morrow only at the music store of f. A. North
d Co., No. 1926 Chestnut street.
The sale of single seats will commence or
Wednesday.