New-York tribune., 1871-04-12
THE DRAMA.
.rv. xErNE's rnRATER-oPENNG NIGHT.

,rl. pourteenth-s street Theater was re-opened
-. under the management OF Laura Keone and
-. pbillips's melodrama Of "Nobody's Chlid W"s
s with Mr. Creswick and Miss Laura keene In the
,.l parts-before an assomblage OF about five hund
orsons The play has been seen before In New iork'
aaacd description Of its plot and incidents wouiu
,Iv he novel reading even II our limited space per
,,ad IA to offer it here We shall not therefore, hns
or these points. "Nobody's Child" is comprised IN
80 acts and was presented, last evonng, In hVe 500
,as II tells a romantic story OF the present u'uo.
nlnstrating II in action-which passes on "io - -.
AZ Cornwall. in England. Ii introduces soi"' w i
oersons, only haf-a-dozen Of whom, however -. a.
nortant. 1t presents two scoundres eaI!e oato,o
,,gpes 10 diyest an old family OF its castle anu
"'sa.S -, - .ho,r vaccinations were thwarted ny
49,, ,n,re,,ditv and loving zeal of poor ialthui' "
lad the waif OF the sea. cast ashore Houi s"p
aud known as Nobody's Child. The p'o' Is '"'n ~ w
.omedeNterity and the dialogue is smoo'hS ~il'ou n
ood many old and threadbaro expeulen's "re, uoou'
rlovos in working out the narrative 10 q dramaue
ax and elimination; such, for example, as inc losihs
edipg OF documents and the overhearing OF secrets
,pely diyulged in solOQuy. But 1t is TO be said, by
of fcation, that the prctensons OF the play are
oothieh It's melO-drama, OF time-worn and time
,oorsa patteru-the chief merits OF which are
',,,ng situations picturesque color, and the nat
al unfolding Of one romantic and interesting
h,aoer That character is Joe, the waf of the sea.
,sSicb was embodied by Mr. Creswck Tho eminent
,o- WAS welcomed on his first entrance, with hearty
nane and the cordial feeling thus manifested at the
.art seemed grow in ardor as the performance pro
ce.ded vociferous applause demanded the lifting OF
the curtain after 1t had fallen on each act Mr. Creswick
NAV therefore be well pleased with the popular recep
ton accorded to him. He impressed very deeply by
several rare and fine Quatics-among which may be
s,toDed thorough earnestness sincere sweetness OF
tamparsment. o certain mass!yeness OF thought and
bearinR and smooth and natural method Of deneatng
the unfolding Of character under the influence Of
emotional experience. lie evinced, especially,
seen imaginative sympathy with the beauty and
widness OF nature, and a genuine goodness Of
heart His embodiment of the sensitive, shrinking but
noble and generous lad outwardy picturesque and
inwardly most touching and beautiful. One remarkable
merit in Mr. Creswcks acting his soft speaking OF the
English language. We were impressed with the idea
that his faculties couloot, in simple and restricted
q part Joe find entirely free expression. But he
played this part with ability sincerity and easy grace,
Indicative Of true artist and profoundly satisfactory to
refined taste Miss Keene acted Pahy-but her manner
sms we're more prominent In the performance than her
eraoes talents. Mr. Pearson seemed little too hu-
mOrous, Peter Grce. The garrulous groom was well
played by Mr.. W. Dayidge jr There seems no need 70
details TO the minor acting, however; for
enough is said-as much. at any rate, we have
space fOrwhen say that Mr.. Creswck was the CEN
@ object OF interest and that he filed the position with
ability, and inspired lively desire to see him in
characters of higher grade.
OLYMPIC THEATER.
Mr.. Days play of "HOrizon" remains the
attraction at the Olympic and popular and
sve great deal has been done for this piece by the
sagecarpenter and the scene-panter, and those who
It's representation some stirring tableaus Of
rude Western life. An afternoon performance takes
place today and another will invite attention Satur
day Mr. Fox has unusually accordant character in
OF politician and embOdies IL admirably
we'll
DRAMATIC NOTES.
Afternoon performances take place to-day at
Lima Edwn's Theater, the Olympic Theater, the New
York Circus and the San Francisco Minstrel Hail. in
which the Japanese Acrobats and Jugglers giving
their amazing and amusing exhibitions.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lingard will take benefit at
Lima Edwin's Theater. on Friday night, when the ad
sprsotca Kindness We trust to the pleasant occa
sion improyedMr George Clarke appears at this house
next week.
Nj j. c. Williamson, the popular young
comedian at wascks Theater, has accepted an engage
nent at the Caiorna Theater san enc Sc n a
He leaves many friends here and II Is hopeo he
viii find many friends there
Before the close of the month of April, Mr..
ens An exhibition which was successfully opened on
Monday light at Brooklyn, will have been displayed at
srson, Orange, Morristown, Elizabeth, Newark and
Hudson City
married for Money! and "Patter versus
Clatter" will be played every night this week and at
matinee saturday, at the Fifth Avenue Iheater But
IL s the managers avowed design 10 change the pro
eramme every week during the engagement OF Mr.
Mathews; and the first change-tO be made next Mon
day-wili bring us "CoO as Cucumber and Sher1dans
rare farce of The Critic"
The Amateur Dramatic Performance which
takes place tonight the Union League Theater will he
given In aid OF the Church OF the Holy Light and its
Home for the Blind The Association comprises ladies
and gentlemen Of the highest social station, and OF
various ability. Among the directors are Mrs Joel A.
Fithan Mrs G.. W. T. Lord Mrs James 4. Connolly, Mrs
h. f. Beekman, Miss Marcia Roosevelt, Miss G. l.. kel-
iogg Miss Ida Webster, Mrs. A g. Paine, Mrs. Josiah
Oakes Mrs. Lyman RhOades, Mrs. C. s. kirtland, Mrs.
VIM II. Lee Miss NJ. /. Sutton Mrs. c. C. Hastings, and
Mrs. Geo. Opdyke.
A dramatic representation will be given at
Walack Theater this afternoon, for the benet OF the
Sisters OF Charity, who have charge OF the New
York LyiDg-In Asylum" at No Washtngton-plaee.
These ladies among the most important OF public
OenefaotOrs. They direct sacred charity, relieve much
suffering, and accomplish great deal OF good. Tne
for which the performance will this day be gwen
at Waacks IA one therefore that the truly benevolent
will gladly and hberally advance Mr. John Brougham
will act IN his delightful comedy OF Romance and
Reality. The cast strong the play Is very enjoyable;
and IL Is earnestly hoped that the house will be crowded
The Sisters of Charity who make this appeal have, we
should state received every infant that has been offered
81 their Home and accordingly they have heavy bur
fens 10 eadure and solemn responsibilities to sustain
let them receive help.