The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-02
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC
"saratogs'' at the Chestnut.

"SAratOga" Rt the Chesnut.
There Is so much real comedy played at Sara
tega and other fashionable watering places
every summer that it is remarkable some acute
dramatist has not before now conceived tho idea
of transferring some Of the scenes of real life to
the stage. That the material Is abundant every
summer pleasure-seeker we'll knows, and a rea-
sonably skilful and vivacous writer who has
sufficient knowledge of stage effect to put
together an actable play could scarcely fail, by
making use of but small portion of the wealth
that lies actually in his grasp to produce u most
interesting piece that would tickle the fancy Of
the public, as every vivid picture of contempO-
rary real life must. The comedy of Saratoga
remains yet to be written, however for Mr..
Bronson G. Howard has thrown away a capital
opportunity, and instead of studying Saratoga
life with the eye of an artist, and reproducing it
in his play, he has been content to copy his
characters from the dime novels rather than
from nature, to place them in situations that
require stretch of the imagination to consider
even probable, and to make them utter language
that is more inane than even the inanities of
common life. Such a piece as this may have a
transient success, but it can never obtain even
30 much of hold upon the regards of the public
as the milk-and-water comedies of Robertson,
which, although lacking in backbone, are gene
rally good SO far as they go. Thus much of
censure, is fully deserved by the author Of Sara
togG, for the piece gives abundant evidences that
he is capable of far better things and we by no
means intend to insinuate that it is unentertain-
ing. On the contrary, the performance last
evening at the Chestnut was heartily enjoyed
by the large audience in attendance,
and If laughter and applause cRtitle us to judge
of the success OF a new play, Saratoga may be
considered decided success. It is based upon
the farclcal idea-a good idea, too for stage
purposes-of an impressible young gentleman
being in love with four young ladies at once;
and the amusement of the audience is derived
from the complications that ensue from this
4, condition of affairs, the hero being made the
victim Of his irate lady-loves, supported by bel
licose Husbands, fathers, brothers, and lovers,
until the close of the fifth act straightens out
tho entanglements and ends all happily in true
comedy fashion. Some of the scenes are ex-
ceedingly amusing, and leaving out Of the ques-
ton the total lack OF art in the construction of
the piece, its principal defect is the wearisome
quantity of verbiage that has no direct sonnec-
ton with the progress of the play. Such a
piece as Saratoga, of course, depends largely
upon the actors and the success of the perform
ance last evening was due in a great
measure to the creditable manner in which the
different parts were sustained. There were no
very remarkable exhibitions of histrionic genius
probably for the reason that the opportunities
were limited, but especial credit must be given
| to Mr.. James Lewis for his amusing and artistic
sketch of bob Sachett," the man of many
loves and to Mr.. Phillips for an admirable per-
scnation of "Papa Vanderpool," the representa-
tive papa of the period. Mr.. Charles Allerton
gave laughable caricature of the English
toarist, "Sir Mortimer Muttoneg," and Miss
May Fisk and Miss Kate Newton, who appeared
in their original parts of "Lucy Carter" the
bride of the period, and ''Virginia Vanderpool," 4"
made favorable impression. The remaining
parts were creditably filed, Miss Lily Vining
Davenport personating "Efiie Remington" and
| Miss Glover "Olivia Ashton" the widow of the
| period, with excellent effect. The dresses of
the ladies were remarkably elegant our Phila-
delphis actresses, however, rather carrying off
the palm for good taste.
Mrs. ID. p. Bowers as 'sLady AudIey."
The LADY Audley" of Mrs. Bowers deserves
very much larger audience than was in atten-
dance at the Walnut last evening ts witness it.
1t Is not only of the best parts in the reper-
tOire of one Of our best actresses, but it is a
singularly artistic analysis of mind diseased,
that, making all due allowances for the gulf
| that separates Miss Braddon and John Brougham
| from OudhoSpehTej ID uOb unWOTbny 10 TALK Will
the presentations of Hamlet" Of our best actors.
Not only is the treacherous, cruel nature OF
! Lady Audley" represented by many fine
touches of art, but the taint of madness that is
perhaps the result of, perhaps the cause of her
crimes, is throughout the progress of the
performance impressed upon the attention of
the audience rather by the shifting facial ex
preston and the slight but impressive ges
lures of the actress than by the words
she utters. Mr.. BrOugham in constructing q
drama from Miss Braddons novel, has succeeded
better than playwrights who attempt this kinC
of work usually do, and he has contrived II
produce piece that has considerable interest IL
its plot, and that presents some effective drama
tic situations. The character of "Lady Audley'
is particularly well worked out, and it is sufli
GENTLY picturesque and striking, especially il
the hands of such an artist as Mrs. Bowers, Il
engage the close attention even of those VIII
are unable to appreciate its merits a
subtle psychological study. 1t ha
in Ii all the elements Of popu
larity, and at the same time it is a worl
of high art that is satisfying to the most critical
Mrs. Bowers appears intuitively to under
stand all the subtle elements of'"Lady Audley 8
character; she fits into it as she does into no on
of her other favorite parts, and as one of tn
really great performances of the day, entitled t
rank with Jeffersons Grip Van Winkle," MI
Davenport's "Sir Giles Oyerreach," aud othe
fine pieces of &C ting with which the public ar
familiar, it is especially worthy of the attentio
of intelligent playgoers.
MIR. John BrOugham as "shyloek."
1 | l., Of.