, 1872-11-10
AMUSEMENT REVIEW.


,hicago's strongest fayorites at one theatre;
It another, tho greatest pnntomime perform
!nce On the American stage; the same piece
and finely produced ct third; an
spectacular drama at fourth; two
7ery superior minstrel companies IN different
PARTS Of the city, and the unusual quantity OF
;ariety entertainment-altogethe one Of the
most notable of amusement weeks in point Of
attractive power, and yet productive OF poorer
financial showing than Chicago managers have
ererknown. They have borne the trial with char
teristic nerve, and in their entertainments have
as high d standard Of excellence as
though the box-sheots were nightly detnccd with
those interesting pencil-markB which indicate
that every scat ia sold. Their enterprise and |
courage will not 60 unrequitcd, Tor they may
safely count upon good returns in the future |
from the sharp appetite which comes Of long |
abstinence. In no other city in America would |
tho theatres have experienced such damaging |
consequences Of the epidemic, for the
majority of ours are situated in what used to be
known az the burnt district, a mile or more dis
tant from the nearest residence portions Of the
city; but, at tho Balno timo, no believe the
managers OF no other city would have viewed the
gloomy situation with such p1ucky cheerfulnoss
as ours havo done. They have doubtless derivoda
melancholy consolation from The fact that hum
dreds of other well deserving business cutter
prises kept thom company in the drcary period
Of dulnees, and that the time OF compensating
prosperity is close at hand, when their winter Of
discomfort will be made glorious by the summer
sun of-sound nud healthy horses.
MISS MAGGIE MITCHELL,
at McVicker's, whose engagements heretofore
has played to tho lightest Of houses, probably
for the first time since she reached her high po.
eition Us ono Of America fayorites. "Fanchon,"
with Mics Mitchell in the title roy, has held the
boards through the week, elegantly placed upon
the stage, and finely enacted by the star and her
support. Previous to her appearance in "Jano
Eyre which We regard us the best Of oil her plays
and in which she acquits herself with greater
distinctive power than in anJ other, fdnchon
WAS usually accepted as her finest assumption,
and not without reason for the story is peculiar
ly simple and touching, and the character is one
in which she stands alone and un1lValled. The
pure woman1y element of stage life owes much
to Maggie Alitchell's shining qualities as thor
ough lady and an eminent artist-qualties which
Chicago has generally. appreciated in the past,
aible.
TIE BLACK CROOK.
With single exception, the lighter grades Of
amusement have held sway during the week,
monopolizing the limited patronage. Tho only
instance, however, Of marked financial success
has been at the Academy Of Music, which is
located close to the densoly, populated
residence districts: Tho a5 accident Of .1o- To-
than the superior attractiyeness Of the
.'Black Crook, has been chiefly instrumental
in crowding the house, as legitimate entertain
ments at the Academy have always been Iber-
ally supported and would be now, beyond ques-
| ton. The "Crook" now is very much as We
have spasmodically endnredit these many years,
| excepting, perhaps. that the dramatic cast is
! rather more than ordinarily effective, and the
ballet is superior to most Of those that have pre-
| ceded it in point OF personal appearance and
| good training. The list Of dancers include the
| Rigl sisters-Betty, whose grace and refinement
have gained for her q high place in the estima-
ton Of the more critical portion Of the auditory,
and Emily, girl of remarkable beauty in face
| and form, and q fine dancer as well with Miles.
Elise and ProBcher, both good in their special
| ties, and q well-trained force of coryphees. A
| good budget Of variety acts, together with the
smooth working Of the machinery and scenic ef.
fects, assist in rendering the piece acceptable
| and satisfactory to the large audience.
| A1KES's THEATRE
has farod better than tho other South sidt
places, in the matter Of attendance: aumpty
Dumpty," with Geo. L. Fox and his excellen
support, has proved itself to be one of thu
strongest attractions Of the season, and undel
moro favorable auspices, the engagement would
doubtless, have been notably successful. Tht
distinctive points of e1cellence,-the inimitabl'
| 0nQ Only FOX. Lu6 cat QuetL NY LIZ MaIte1b, tut
superb acrobatic feats Of the Wilson brothers
the yelocipede riding Of the babies, Venus ant
Adonis, the admirable stage appointments, etc.
-are such as to entitle ''Humpty Dumpty" q
Aikeo's, to decided prominence in the list O
motley entertainments given In Chicago.
MANAGER HooLET
has also indulgcd i'll" Humpty,"' producing in
style fully up to the standard Of excellonc'
which has been established at this beautiful
theatre. Under the spur of active competition
an extra effort has been mado to provide bril-
liant performance, and if the effort has been bu
poorly rewarded, it is the fault Of the epizooti
and not of tho management. The kiralf
troupe, in their various ballet and tabeau ncte
have contributed largely, aud q strong list 0
variety artists help to swell the sum total Q
merit.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOE THE WEEK.
There aro no marked changes OF programm
to note at either of the theatres. Miss Mitche
continues in Funchon at aIcVickers, Fox an
Hoolcy3 keeps on "Humpty" another wee}
retaining the strong features OF the Kiralf
: combination, well as the cat duett, and intro
ducing many now speclalties; at the Academ
, Of Music the ''Black Crook holds over, with
complete change of the ballet. and variety actf
resorying, We are assured, the best for tho last
} tho Arlington, Cotton nnd kemble Minstrels
Myers Opera House introduce the Abyssinia
| dwarf Tommy, said to have been brought to thj
by Stanley, Of Livingstone fame, and the usu'
/
troupe Of minstrcls stay at Nixon's Ampitheat1
another week.
l PROSPECT OF RELIEF.
, By the recent putting on Of tho steam DUNN
T. line on the South Sido street car Line, togctht
} with some arrangements for evening trains, COZ
> templated by tho Illinois Central, prospect
relief is afforded to tho an1uEemont-seeking pul
! lie. Tho State street cars will run every hour u
, to II o'clock, md an extra train will also {
northward at haH-past 7, with particular refe
. ence to theatre-goors. Myers will make it
;, special point to Close tho minstrel performan
3 in time to enable his patrons to catch the
8 o'clock State street cars, while the II o'clot
train will accommodate those from McVicker'
+ Hooley'e, and Aiken's.
MUSIC.
The week which has just closed is almost
8 musical blank With the exception Of the &c
: ond of Mr.. Goldbeck's pleasant matineos, viii
= occurred At the Indiana Avenue Conservato1
q On Thursday afternoon, an interesting feature
= which WAS the excellent singing OF Miss Ell
9 White, the contralto, there has been nothi1
:, to disturb the epizootic monotony. This wee
however there will again bo an opportunity