Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-26
Dramatic.
" cHEsNEY woLD.


The adaptation Of Dickens BledL House, which
was presented last evening by Janauschek and
her company, under the title of Cltesney Void,
has for its chief almost it's only recommendation
the opportunity it affords for displaying the ver-
satility, as well as the peculiar powers Of the
great Actress.
In literary merit this adaptation is much. infe-
rior to that which was presented under the same
title last wizter, and which naueh more faithful
ly followed the plot aud preserved the racy dia-
logue of the original story. It is difficult to see
why many Of the changes have been made or al
lowed, unless Mr.. Taylors claims as an actor
insisted on q SIR Leicester Dedtook OF more scope
Of character than that hitherto presented, which
we should consider decided artistic mistake.
However, this is apart from the main ques-
ton of the play, the whole force of which CEN
tres in Madame Janauscheks remarkable per-
Bonations of the widely opposing characters of
Lddy DedloCk and Mddenoiselte Hortense
whether the stately grace and repressed intens-
ity of the great lady, the tigerish vivacity Of
the venomeus French maid, is more admlra-
bly, rendered, IL were hard to say, but both inn
personations are worthy of the actress who has
created them. Her Lady Dedlock repays the
closest and most unwavering scrutiny, for it's
force lies in the almost imperceptible looks and
quietly spoken words. A sudden look from
widely opened gray eyes, the raising
and lowering Of fan, the compress
sion of a trembling lp,--such are the
slight signs used to express the tempest OF feel
ing, raging under that proudly cold exterior
but each is like Mercutio's wound though little
sit is enough; it will suffice" This is remark
able in the admirable scene with the young
man of the name Of Guppy," in the change OF
intonation and attitude accompanying the words
'You may bring them II you choose. You may
bring them il you please" which tells the whole
story Of her subjugation to her terrible secret
We must however, venture the criticism tina
she does not give loose to her lemotions, wheI
left alone, with the passionate intensity which
should be used to offset her previous self-re
preston; and that little more general force
keenness, and mobility, are the qualities which
are sometimes found lacking inot only in thi
but in the other impersonations Of Madam Jan
auschek.
But the Hortense we are not disposed to crit
else at all. ALI was admirable, and the last dra
matte scene with Inspector Bucket quite unsur
passable.
The general support of the play does not de
mand nor can bear much attention. The part 0
bucket was, indeed, very fairly supported by MI
Norman and Mr.. Harry Rich's presentation Q
Guppy, could hardly have been more funny o
effective. The one thing for which we have
thank this new play Of Ohesneyl VOID is for pre-
serving the famous scene in which that love
lorn swain stiles his declaration" to Esther
which has heretofore been omitted from tn
part.
1t would be too bad to conclude this motto
without mentioning the point which, to femi
nine feelings, gives a peculiar interest to tn
part Of Lady Dedlcck; the magnificent toilettes
such, one ENTHUSIASTICALLY declared, as :" ha
never yet entered into her widest dreams o
what it would be nice to wear"
The play tonight will be Adrieane, tn
chief character in which has been favorite par
with tragic actresses Isince the great Rachel
first made it her specially.