, 1872-10-27

the stage Of the Academy for q week.: We are
it Is better or WORSE than the old, but
it is different. The change is sup
ests of good taste and good morals, but such
efforts, however praiseworthy, are Of question
able value. We all know that recent version
of "Article IT" partially failed because of too
great an infusion Of morality. Few people care
to see that which has an individuality of its own
F. s. Chanfrau, q graceful and accomplished
lady, and good actress, assumed the part Of the
heroine. She is abducted from her husbands
house while in q fainting fit, and returns to it
ten years afterwards, sMeet-faced and lovely, in
becoming gray hair, and dove -colored alpaca.
The children are represented, in the earlier
scenes, as Of tender years, but when, adolescent.
are impersonated by two young ladies OF the
company. This is pleasant innovation, and
allows Of some good acting on the part OF Misses
Wilson and Nelson who assume the later parts.
An old school teacher is introduced, called
Professor Dill, a character very we'll taken by
Mr. Padget. Mrs. Carhart has better oppor-
tuDity for character acting in the modified YER
cradle female humanitarian. As to the central
figure we cannot think it improved. Persons
who are constitutionally fond Of the emotional
drama, prefer it with its pure unadulterated
sensationalism. They like its vigorous emotion,
and it's intense passion. They do not care to
rendering Of the dual character, Lady Isabel and
Madame Multon is, sweet, tender, womanly, and
sympathetic. but We miss from Mrs. Chanfrau's
acting the rough vlgor, and the more than femi-
nine energy of Lucille Western, which seem in
plays like ''East Lynne" tohave amelodramatic
Appropriateness. Her acting is too natural for
a style Of drama which lacks naturalness as it's
prevailing element. The dialogue Of the piece
is too often stilted, and although it is thereby
made in keeping with the sentiment, it has ten
dency to offend in simply colloquil scenes. As
Archibald Carlyle, and Si" Francis Leoison, h1r.
Maynard and Mr. Webster were unhappiy
placed, and made to appear more stiff and STACY
than is their wont. A round Of pleasant plays
which Mrs Chanfrau's better qualities
will be displayed; on Friday night
and Saturday afternoon .Christie Johnatone,"
ter " and IA sheepin Wo1f'a Clothing" in both Of
which pieces Mrs Chanfrau will be seen, and b
one act comedy played for the especial benefit
Of AIiss Alexander.
,EEns' OPERA HOUSE.
The performances Of minstrel troupes are not
such as to call for widely varied criticism. The
business has certain unavoidable sameness
when mentioned although it has pleasing va
riety upon the stage. The little minstrel theatre
on Monroe street is one Of the most agreeable
PeseA aty both prSo pbeoauae 'sef' Of the a 'ae d.
vcrtiug character Of the entertainment offered
there, and the beauty Of the building. The COM
pany is now thoroughly organized by Messrs.
Arlington, Cotton l. Kemble, and is in excellent
working order. The quartette is drilled with
care, and the programme OF the concert is nnex-
ceptionable and highly amusing. The olio in
cludes wide variety OF comic pieces, many OF
them entirely new, and all Of them having novel
features. This week the programme will be
changed throughout. The concert will include
several new ballads, and the olio will close with
the laughable burlesque "John Sheppard and
Joseph Rlaeskin," which will be given with new
dresses, scenery, music and stage effects, A
regular season Of burlesque will soop be inaug-
urated.