New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-16
The OetOrOOn.

tive of life in Louisiana, received its initial
performance last evening at the st. Charles
Theatre. The entire company from the
Varieties Theatre-the dramatic season
having ended at that stablishment-were
engaged to give the piece good cast, and
it was, therefore, presented in a better
manner than it is usually played.
Many people have fallen into the mis-
taken idea that the "Octoroon' is piece
written with view to favor Republican
politics, and that it holds the South and its
institutions up to ridicule and contempt. A
greater error could hardly be imagined
The play, in the first place, is not political
| one, nor is politics in any manner alluded
to by any of the characters, In the second
place, the sentiment, such as it is, is de-
cidedly Southern in all its phases. But we
do not think that this should be considered
at all by those who go to see it.
The "Octoroon," like all of this gifted
autbOr's plays, is a well written, highly in
teresting drama, and deserves to be, and
should be, seen by all of our theatre gOers
who want to be agreeably entertained. The
story is Of wealthy Southern family living
on the "TerrebOnne Plantation, in Louisi-
ana. The head of the family, Judge PeytO'1,
is supposed to have died previous to the &C
uOn of the play. He has, by his extrava-
CANT living and drinking taided by the viii
lainy of his Overseer, AcClOsky), left his es-
tate in great debt and covered by mort
cages.
There is in his family his widow, his SOD,
George PeytOn, and his natural daughter
by a quadroon slave, Zoe, who is an
octorOOn, but whom all treat with respect,
and as though one Of the family. There
are two overseers on the plantation; on e,
Jacob McCIOsky, who is as great villain as
ever drew breath, and the other, Salem
iScltdder, an honest, fair dealing, though &c
centric man. AcCLOsky falls in love with
Zoe, who naturally detests him, which
drives the villain to close his mortgages and
ruin the family. In searching the papers
of the dead Judge ne finds Zoe's free papers,
which unfortunately had been made out
while a Judgment for debt stood re-
corded against the estate. This invali-
dates the freedom of Zoe, and she
is sOld with the other slaves,
and purchased by MeCIosky, who bids
$4,000 for her. Previous to this sale, a
letter was expected by Mrs. Peyton from
England, with a large amount of money,
the use of which would relieve the estate,
and prevent its sale. AcClosky, knowing
when the letter was expected, waylays the
bearer of the mail bag. Paul kills him,
rifles the bag, and finds the letter with the
money, which he steals. At the time he
finds Paul with the mail he tPauL) is sitting
before a Photographic camera, having his
picture taken. An Indian, WaL-nO-tee, who
was his companion, after setting the
instrument at work, runs off to
wait until the picture is completed,
and it is during his absence McCIoSky com
mits the murder; and, being directly before
the camera, his picture is taken over the
dead body of the boy; and the plate, which
is afterward found, convicts him of the mur-
der and exOnerates the Indian, whom every
body supposes had done the deed. lfc-
CLOsky is afterward killed by the Indian.
In addition to these incidents there are a
great many characters who fill up the
cOunterplot of the piece and add to what
we have already described.
The principal part in the piece is the title |
role, Zoe, played by Miss Isabel Freeman,
for the action of the piece is on the story of |
her life. Miss Freeman gave ore of the |
very best pOrtraitures that we have ever
seen on our stage. The part is quite a diff
cult one to play, calling upon the actress
for different phases of character, the last
scene being a very trying one, and none
but an actress of more than usual ability
could properly give it the necessary pathos
to the emergency, playing the part artistic
ally and quietly, yet with sufficiently vigor- |
Gus expression to fully express the charac-
ter. The highest praise we can award to
Miss Freeman is to say she fully won the |
sympathy of the audience, and was fire. |
quently rewarded by the most fattering
applause. Indeed, her performance of Zoe !
was alone sufficient to make the piece a |
success.
Mr., George Clarke as George Peyton,
gave one of those quiet, natural impersOna- |
tions that have made this actor such a |
favorite in this city. The part certainly |
was never so carefully played Mr.. |
Augustus PitOu as Jacob McCl0Sky, pre- |
sented us with portrayal that was entirely |
beyond our expectations. With the ex- |
ceptiOn of the character of DON SIllUste. in |
"Ruy Bias" which this gentleman played |
at the Varieties last week, we have never
seen him act so well. The part is a vile
one. McCloSky is probably as great vii
lain as was ever known to the stage, and |
is, therefore, unusually difficult to play; but
Mr.. PitOu more than mastered it, and gave |
us as fine a piece of acting as was possible.
Mr.. HOwson as Salem Scttdder, had part
directly opposite in nature to McCLOSI,v, and |
his makeup ard acting won the immediate
of the audience, almost every
speech being applauded. Mr.. HOwson can
place his .ScuddeT among the most successful
of his many fine performances this season.
Mr. George Ryer as Uncle Pete was an
other unqualified success, dressing and
looking the character to the life, while he
acted it, both the comic and sentimental
portions, with remarkable excellence and
There are thousands of just
such Uncle PeteS in the South.
Mr.. George Holland as Colonel POinderteT
the auctiOneer, made most palpable hit
His make up was arranged with the most |
cOnsummate skill, and his acting, particu-
arly where he gives his opinion OF McCtOSky, |
was admirable, and he receiving a rOusing
round of applause.
Mr.. Frank MurdOck as Wah-no-tee, the
Indian, had a very difficult character part,
vet he PLAYED it remarkably well. His pan
,omime was excellent, bis dress very good !
indeed, and the fight with McCtoSky, and