The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-06
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC
crank, at the Arch,

Rank, the new play produced at the Arch last
evening by Miss Lima Edwin's company of New
York actors, treats the same theme as Robert
sons Caste, and points the same moral. The
object of both pieces is to demonstrate that the
artificial social distinctions are of comparatively
little moment in comparison with honesty, good
heartedness and other of the virtues. The real
issue is, to great extent, evaded, but on the
stage we expect to see strong contrasts and 80
long as the dramatic effect is good, we care
little for logic. In Caste the low birth of
'Esther" was not 30 much of an obstacle to her
reception into the aristocratic circle in which
her husband moved as were her surroundings
man In marrying a wife must accept his
wife's relations, and it cannot be denied that
the "Marquise de st. Maur" was to a large ex
tent justified in objecting to "Eccles." In the
play of Rank an aristocratic gentleman con-
tracts a Scotch marriage with low-born
maiden, and all goes happily until brother-in
law makes his appearance in the shape of pig
stye maker, who invites himself to dine with his
sisters husband, who criticzes the manners of
the guests and the cut of their garments, and
otherwise behaves in manner well calculated
to make the man of rank heartily sick of his
bargain. Great stress is laid upon the honesty
of this hawbuck, but the sympathies of many
who cannot be called aristocrats could scarcely
husband The plot of the play depends upon
the temptation held out to the husband to
deny his marriage on account of there
having been no ceremony or public recognition
which would make 1t legal and upon the efforts
of the brother, who discovers an intention of
this kind, to secure such recognition. The mar
riage is finally established beyond peradventure
but q separation between the husband and wife
takes place. After much unhappiness on both
sides they are again reunited, but with pros
pect that the ladys brother, who in the mean
time has contracted q taste for gin, will In the
future as in the past. prove a rather HuwelcoRe
addition to the family circle. Rank has little OF
the refinement of the plot, language, or charac-
terization that distinguishes Caste, but 1t is
very cleyerly arranged piece, with lively. aui-
mated dialogue, and with some very effective
situations. 1t was we'll acted last evening, and
made an exceedingly favorable impression,
as it has the not too common merit
of being entertaining. Miss Lima
Edwin, who personated the heroine,
'tDoe Maynard" is blonde of prepossessing
appearance and excellent abilities both as an
actress and as a singer. The performance was
artistic and pleasing, and it met with much cor
dial applause. Mr.. George Clarke, who enjoys
an excellent reputation in this city, played
'sMiles Hubbs, the pig-stye maker, in excellent
style, and Mr.. Mark Bates gave a ereditable per-
senation of "Curtis Maynard" Messrs. Harry
Eytinge and Edwin Wyndham were scarcely as
successful as could be desired as the representa-
tives of couple of British ''swells" 'Lord
Plateglass," and ''Hon. Jocelyn Raikes." Car
ricatures, no matter how broad, should bear
some resemblance to the original model and it
is difficult to accept the presentations of these
gentlemen as being remarkably close copies of
nature.