New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-14
ORLEANS
The ''IIidden Hand'' at the Academy OF
sIusic.

Slu1Ics
EDITOR REpUBLYCAS:
At the initial performance OF the "Hid
den Hand" at the Academy OF Music. l hap
pened TO be present. and if you can spare q
little space in your valuable paper, would
like to have you insert my impressions 0!
that performance. which append.
The "Hidden Hand" is . very poor drama
tization Of Miss Southworths story of the
same name. Taking from that story many
Of the best points, the dramatist presents
them in singulariy peculiar and unex-
planned relation to each other and to the
play.
After sitting through the play the audi.
ence. no doubt. wonder why the play i.
called by tina. name. as the hidden hand
appears but once, and that only for sec.
ond. and seems TO have no conceivable rela-
ton to the plot or characters Of the drama.
The villain of the play has just enough 60
say and do to show that in some way or
other he is villain. but to what end he
acts the scoundrel is never made clear.
The play bills mention that Copitola, the
leading character, is an heress--to what is
mystery TO the audience: and why the
villain desires 20 be rid of her and takes
such extraordinary steps to effect his pur
pose is a subject Of wonder to those in front
Of the curtain.
The drauatist. not satisfied with leaving
to the Imagination Of the audience SO very
much. goes further and takes the most un-
warrantable liberties with the neat plot of
the story. He makes Capitola escape danger
altogether. when in truth she is twice for
season in the cluthes of her enemies. This
Is but a specimen of many differences be.
tween the story and the drama.
So much for the play. Now for the rep
resentation and acting Of it.
can say but little Of tho mounting Of the
piece. for but scant opportunity is given for
the display Of stage effect or illusion. Some
carelessness. however, was deserving Of
censure. For example. the Recorder. in the
first act. is seated on high Office stool be-
hind a very tall desk. and looks more like
second clerk than . judicial dignitary.
This arrangement. and railing on one side
to keep the crowd back, make up the court
room. His honor ~ was the only person in
the courtroom that was respectful enough
to take his hat of. The crowd and prisoner
were permitted to remain uncovered. Truly
did the assemblage express their decided
conviction that judges are the servants of
the people.
I may speak a few words Of praise and
some Of ceIsure respecting the acting Of the
play.
Miss Harrison as Cop;soi0 was generally
very good. particularly 10 her scene with
Black Donald. when lie stole into her ROOM
A woman's natural fear and the successful
efforts of her pride to hide it. were admira-
bly, portrayed by this lady. While Miss
Ha 'rson is quite good in her impersonation
OF dashins swells and ragged urchins, vet
think it is in the pathetic and legimate parts
that she shows he: real merit. A fine voice.
well modulated and perfectly controlled.
adds greatly to her acting. Her duets with
Mr.. kilbourne are always listened to with
pleasure. Occasionally. however, she seems
10 forget herself and let's her comicalities
interfere with her pathetic lines; for in
stance. when speaking a speech full Of feel!
ing she often ends i. with comical yes.
ture. which mars the effect. This is a piece
d careleSsness common with actresses in
ler line. however.
While am free 10 say that her Cap;'o'a |
vas admirably done. yet do not agree |
With some of your contemporaries Of tie !
,ress, and deem it her best. That palm |
hould rather award TO either her Eanehon
): Butts in the boy Detective
Mr.. kllboufne is always good, and, with |
he exception that on this occasion he made
WOOL, the servant. too familiar with his sU-
eriors. and occasionally too impudent TO
hem. think he was up TO his usual mark
lis singing was excellent.
Mr.. Pike as the JlojOr was very good.
characters such as this and Fn,ras. Pear.
! Little Barefoot" are rendered quite
apply by this gentleman.
The remainder of the parts were 9: bu:
tile value. and most of them poorly
iayed. particularly Colone: lie .roi. and
5a-erse Rocke.
The advent Of ,linstreis at the Academy
a happy reminder of the old times there.
.d may induce another letter from
NEW STAGEE.