, 1874-01-04
REVIEW OF ADJUSTMENTS.
THE DRAMA.


While complaints reach Us from almost every
city in the country Of the lack Of interest showed
by the public in the drama, Or any form,
variety, or imitation OF it, the ASSURANCE that
Chicago theatres are doing better business
than almost any in the country is al agreeable
one. The holiday weeks, which have noted so
much to local managers, have not boen as pro-
duetiye elsewhere in proportion. The fact is
not to bo overlooked tnat there were unusual
attractions here in Mr.. Sothern and his plays at
the Academy OF Music and F'The Geneva
Cross" At Hooley's Theatre, while popular favor
ties under unfavorable circumstances have been
playing at McVicxer's and the Globe.
sALyISI.
The present week has an unusually rich treat
in store for all lovers and patrons Of the drama
a great actor, whose fame preceded him years
ago (even before the advent OF Rtstori. and
whilo Rachel was eloctrify1.g crowded houses in
New York, and bis forty assistants, will give
tive performances st McVicker'a. It il needless
for US to state that not only Salvinis acting, but
that OF his whole troupe, will be Of such char
acter as is seldom Witnessed on any stage. When
an artist has reached tho pinnacle OF fame he
has 10 need OF empty praise- HIS great genius
will make itself known and felt through oil class-
es the moment he il seen. We shall therefore
omit enumer@t1ng the numerous encouums and
praises which his acting Las called forth both
in Europe and in this country and merely say
that wherever Salvinl has appeared both press
and public have had their expectations over
topped He will play Samson Monday night; ;
Stlliuan (Darid Garrick), Tuesday; O4'tel!o,
Wednesday,; Conrad Gn ''Morte Civile''), by Paolo
Giacommetti, Friday; aud Hamlet as the Satur-
day matiuee. The play Of ''samsou,' whlc. j.
to be given Monday night, is based On tie bisli
nfSI SNaz+ a.
thor Of the play, Ippolito DAste, saw fit to make,
in order to add moral strength and dignity TO
the leading character We subjoin it's plot:
The Jews langu3ah Under Of their periodical
suhjcctions to foreign domination, az penalty for
1ressors and task-mastors The tragedy opens With
eacrifics by lfdnoah and other pious Hebrews. The
leading Jews bewal1 the disressts Of the people, and
express tner disappointment in San,son. who to
have been their regenerator and deliverer. Nanouh
justies his son, and narrates the miraculous circu
Dukes his detractors, and tells how, when his way
to marry = Philistina woman, ha was assaulted by
uou. which, unarned, hs fought and killed. He
further uarratea how, at mis- wedding festival.
and bow his wife wheedied him out oi
aud Companions, who thus cheated him. He now de-
cIarcs his intention to go to Ascalon aud there take his
wagur by forco from other Phllisnea The spectator
in DOING hs las Killed several Phistines, and thus
excited public indignation. De.aa Is ar1ested, hav-
Lan.eeh, Philistne Prince, who directs the crowd
against sartsons house. Presently Sanson reappears
aud revIes his eucuies, and announces that he has
paid his wager. When tue phustinss, not daring to
attack him, seze his father, Samson zescucs ths old
man. and rctires with threats Of vengeance and rctri
button. The incidents following take place in
influence with Samson, and to ,and out tho
her country but pleads her love for Samson, and
fuses. Meanwhile news Is brought OF his terrible
slaughter Of Phlistines with the jawbone Of
but. Lamcch soennly assuring her that no harm il
intended against Sautsons life she reluctantly con-
sent, to xct with her countryrasn, and to deliver
su,,sou into captivity. Aetea, slave woman, whose
non had been one Of the victims ut Ase.on. and who
sets from motives II rengeance Is introduced into
1fnt pGa'1 IL bis eIs his
strength lies in his hair. De!ilah would With
hold the secret; but ~ Meiea bstsays it to The
ho finds that he has been ehorn; he
is set on BY the Phi,tinea and taken to prison. D.
ah an.nons @ heassn to Ts5eGts ,s she
nly, while Manouh relates tho latest deeds Of the
phllistines. who have put out Samsons eyes. Tho
Orderad to exhibit hAelf at the gamer, Sdnaxon sub
mits. He prays for Divine help, aud tecomes con-
He Is visited BY his father and Deah, who persuade
him to escape. Ho refuses. Dtlitah retires. The
father leads MIN to he outer pillars OF the tepc the
Philistines being within. He then brings down the
whole structure burying hiReH in the ruins, whi]s
the cr1es and ahriek4 arising from on Ill sdea saow
the hayoc he has wrought.
THz ACADEMY OF Music.
Mr. Sothern has been with us two weeks, and
has so fur done capital business. The public
Will Learn with the utmost regret that the present
week ia the last OF his engagement. Ho has af
forded moro qualification and amusement il the
brief fortnight Of his stay here than any actor
who has appeared in Chicago within tnanv years.
Commencing his engagement with his most popu-
lar Characterization, Lord Dundreayy. he played
it Tor the last time New Years night. Friday
night and the two remaining performances OF
last week were devoted to ''sam." To-mor-
row night he will appear in his most
flushed and admirable inpersonation OF Ddrid
Gayyicl, in Robertson's adapted drama Of that
name. This is one OF the beSt-constructed OF
1nodern pieces, and, though written BY Alr-
Robertson for the great comedian, the interest
ie not centred entirely in the leading part. Mr.
Sotaern's love Of the drama elevates him above
the petty ambition Of desiring all the applause,
and finished, even performance is as much de-
Birel by him as BY the audience the four lead
ing parts will be taken BY stars. Mr.. Sothern
Ptsy,os paG1 as!a ss wai:ons % Ida Ida D2"s 2go and md
Lytton sothern, Squire chipy. The latter is
q strong aud severe character-part but we have
no doubt that Alr. Sothern will bo equal to the
donand- The comedy will be preceded oy pop
and Miss Walton. Is Duudreary Married and
Settled " is in rehearsal. This being the last
week OF Mr.. sothern's engagement, the Academy
will probably be crowded at every performance.
hence persons wishing for good seats must apply
early at the bo1-oftico. John Dillon follows 1lr.
Sothcrn for one week at the Academy.
HooLEy's THEATRE.
After fairly successful rim Of two weeks
(about half the run it dsBerved), 1.-THE Geneva
Cross" is Withdrawn from the boards at Hoo
ley's Theatre to give place to an old play and an
old Chicago faYorite. Hiss sngusta Dargon will
play at the first four performances OF the week,
including the Wednesday matinee, her speciality.
Camille, and will be supported by the stock COM
pany. Tho cast includes MiaBes Cowell, How
ard, and 1iathlaa. aud MessEs. Sullivan, Arnold,
Salisbury, and Gidlens. The remainder Of the
week ''She stoops to Conquer" will be played.
I" Guy Mannering" is in preparation.
M'y1c6ER's THEATRE.
A1r. shicl Barry's engagement at Mcyicker's
Theatre las not been prosperous US it should
have been, owing to the worthless character Of
the plays in which he appeared. A1r. Barry's
reputation as Characterization has not suffered,
however. for he has made the best he could out
Of the miserable parts be had. Following the
advice Of friends, he has tossed the wEctched
plays into the waste-paper basket. aud has OBJ
tained from Mr.. Boucicault the two plays in
bo a nrunnunced a11ccn4s last