The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-29

The THEATRE-PIQUE AND Miss FANNY
DAyENPoRT.-MissF Fanny Davenport, the
eldest daughter OF the great actor whose
genius and memory have secure lodging
place in the hearts Of Richmond's patrons
OF the drama, made her first appearance
here, at the Theatre, last night. She was
welcomed by an audience fully as brilliant
and fashionable, and nearly as large, as any
which has assembled within those walls
this season. There were present many who
do not allow themselves to be drawn from
their homes except by extraordinary attrac-
tions. The ladies were dressed with more
than usual elegance; in that recalling the
days (or rather nights) of the grand opera
when the bellies sought to rival the prima
donna in richness OF attire.
had run Of eight months in New York,
with Miss Fanny playing the part Of Mabel
Renfrew. With her was Mr.. DalY's COM
panY, and the cast for the occasion was as
follows: Matthew Standish, Mr.. Charles
Fisher; Captain ArthursStandish, Mr.. Mau.
rice Barrymore; DR.. Gossitt, Mr. William
Davidge; Mr.. Raymond Lessing, Mr.. George
Parkes; Sammy olympic, Mr.. Owen Faw.
cett; Thorsby Gyll, Mr.. John Drew; Rag.
money Jim, Mr.. G. d. Bainbridge; Padder,
Mr.. Frank Bennett; Picker Bob, Mr..
Thomas jefferson; Mary Standish, Miss
George Drew Lucille Renfrew, Miss Con.
stance Hamblin; Aunt Dorothy, Miss Vim.
ton; Raitch, Miss Eugenia Paul; Sylyie.
Miss Bovine; Little Arthur, Belle.
| Most of the members OF the company are
known to our people either by reputation.
or, better, from having appeared upon the
boards Of our Theatre in very recent years
The play is not at all pretentious. 1t is
quite natural in plot and incident, and the
interest awakened in the very first act
keeps steady hold until the curtain falls for
the last sight. Mabel Renfrew i1Iiss Da
venport) is the central figure. Young
beautiful, and admired, she loves where she
cannot wed; marries man in pique, quar-
rels with him, drives him of from home by
her unreasonabless, and is only brought te
her senses by the loss Of her child, who is
captured in the Charley-Ross style, but, un
like Charey,sis is found again, when thu
wife is reconciIed to her husband; and thu
play closes with everybody happy and I
grand tableau.
Miss Davenport is lady Of fine appear
ance. Her acting was smoothkand not too
emotional. Her dresses and jewels were
splendid. She had the admiration Of th'
audience as the flattered and much courteC
belle; their sympathy in her distress at thu
desertion OF her husband and the loss o
the child, and their hearty cheers and glad
ness, when, in the end, husband, mother
and child were gloriously retnited.
The company is large and fine one, w
have seen no better one here in recent years
The costumery and stage setting last nigh
were far superior to what we have bee1
used to.
Matthew Standish is q fine character OF
hale old gentleman, and was excellent
acted. The son (Arthur)-the husband
Mabel-filled part Of some difficulty yer
satisfactorily. Raymond Lessing was
charming piece of acting, though the chal
acter was not of kind to win approval
Sammy olympic, the red-haired lover an
modest millionaire and his chum, Wer
the fayorites OF the evening. The ladies'
Misses Drew, Paul, Vinton. and Hambin-
are all handsome and talanted. The wa
Miss PauD is q trump indeed.
i Our people will not soon have an oppol
tunity OF seeing better company-on
more thorough in their parts or better qua
lifted to fill the measure OF public expects
tion.. There are probably not more tha
one or two better companies in New YORK
none better travelling.
Tonight School for Scandal, with Nils
Davenport as Lady Teazle. AT the mat
nee tomorrow, by special request, Piqu
will be produced.