New-York tribune., 1874-12-29
THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS THEATER
LITTLE M'LY-MICAWBER-MR ROWE.

BOOTHS THEATER
LITTLE EMLY-MTCAwBER-MR ROWE
"Little Em'lyn ia. certainly, the best play
that has been derived from Dckens's great story OF
David Copperneld" Its Dialogue IS strong: It's form
is simple and symmetrical; and it Ia 30 deftly con-
that fairly epitomizrs tho strongest parts OF
the novel, and gives excellent scope for GOOD acting
and very fine opportunities for scenic display and orns
ment. Its five acts.-coDpacuy made. and eompreben-
sive OF OF the characters Of Dckenpresent tho
several port OF Emily seduction, Mr.. Wickneds
ruin the adventures OF wilkins MicawDer, and the
shipwreck on Yarmouth Sands. The rescuo OF Emily and
Mr. Wcktcd H. the happy close OF the dramatic storys
aud the peco ends with the embarkation OF m'cAHocr
There fine scenic tabeau at the termination OF escn
act and each taleau is tributary to strong drsmauo
effect Act third concludes with beautful representa-
ton Of the exterior Of Canterbury Cathedral Lighted up
AZ night and act fourth concludes with tho awiu ana
pathetic storm-sceDe, which Stecrforth and Ham reg
gotty meet their death The setting, the snu9ec' ana
the altogether admirable; ana th' urams
Is one that ought 10 ve in tho popular a1ecuoD u"
long as Dickens himself ia remembered-and fhat VIII DO
a. long as genius - reyered and humanity beloved upon
the earth.
Five years ago Little Emily" was acted at Nibo's
Garden for the first time in this country There is
allied Last night 1t was acted at Booths Iheater-aha
It was distinctly, great success I0e mousse ""s
crowded, and the public welcomed both the pirco ahd
the Of with deep aud fcrvens enthusias
Everything was doue for 1t that art could require
or taste aud loerality supply Tho scenery-by Mr.'
yoegltIn and Mr. MarstOn-was really inagn'hcoht'
Tue Cathedral succeeded In larger sense than
at all usual stage ectsfor 1t expressed not io1a
the grandeur than the tender promise VI religion
The storm scene equal to is terrible theme and
all the Incidental, pictures were appropriate ana
effective; aud the piece was gwen with remark
able cast. IL is long have wituessed @ dra-
matte full vi tho substance Ut genuine
and solid merit The players with scarce an exceptlo"'
put their whole hearts into their work. ana used thcir
best talents under the informing and Inspiring warmth
and spirit OF passonate excitement and the result was
an extraordinary public enthusiasm OF delight h'ca"s
were frequent applause laughter. aud tears weie
almost continuous. I'll. Wdrdc, who acted Peg0''g-
with noble sincerity and truo path0e,-was suinmoh"i
by very earnest plaudts at the end OF act second mS
Maude Granger Miss Mary Wells. sni Miss Laura Ph'l
p5 were rewarded with unusal marks VI poPie Gyor
Mr.. R,we-who acted NieaBher thoroughly to
the life Of the l4:al Of Dickens-was CALLED
I out at tho end Of the first act at the end
OF the second soene OF act third. and again At
the end the play and these h0nors be won ana mer'
tied By one Of the most truly conceived ana hne"
executed pOrtrayals Of humorous character "nen I'D.
been the good fortune OF this pupIc 10 witheSS WIN
not be new to habitua readers OF ts column th's ~
recognize Mr.. Rowo sero-comc and eccentric ACTOR
OF the first class Those who take the pleasure OF seeing
his Mcauber Us 1t presented-n eiaoorate form
and amid suitable surroundlngs-wll understand tho
grounds OF admlring estimate OF true ar't DIT
Rowe this figure grOt"squc TO tho most oehgh''
fully humorous extent, and yet he keeps IL strictly
within the bounds OF paure. His M,cawber WINS your
laughter, aud at the same time be WINS
your love- 1t Is type perfect Identification with an
IDEAL It's lrocry Is never assumed. but flows naturally
out OF the mental habit Of viewing the void aud ne
through a humorousy imaginative medium. 4,ea"-
5er-n THIS delineation in tho pages OF DcSens,-
lives In an atmosphere OF goodnatured magnOquebce
aud bombasc unreaity and yet he Is tender'near'cd
gentleman all through. Mr. Rowe has never beforo
drawn tue character tho NcwYCrk stage, with the
Of feeling and living and the hneness OF
detail and with which be drew II last nght ana
1t was not remarkable that the public should nave fo
lowed every turn and absorbed every TINT OF the por-
formance with the most ardent relish. Miss Maud
GranxeD eynced-for the first time TO us-genuiue
talents as an actress what she did not do oelog
as excellent as what did. and her by play Deing
always natural and expressive. Miss Laura PhllFs
acted the trying part of wandering outoast with suoa
as wrought the real eject OF pathos and
brought tears to eyes that unused to wecp. Mr.
Charles Lecercq Impressed more like the Heep IN
Dickens than any previous representative OF the part
lie was truthful and he was not extravagant; and No
created upon tho part of his auditors that such
a man might exist and sense OF loathlng for him.
Miss Helen Tracy excellent as Rosa Dartle; Misc
Louise Henderson charming AS A0nes; ana Mss
Emma Grattan was most amusing as Mrs. Aieapoer. IL
will be perceived that speak OF dramatic perform
ance of ptonal worth. 1t had the hearest appro-
baton OF tue audience that t last night. and H
deserves long continuance in the public favor.