Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-11-18
The DRAMA,

Davenport, for whom it was written, was
with perhaps single exception the larg-
est and most brilliant as it was certainly
the most coldly critical that has been gath
cred there in attendance upon any dramat-
ic entertainment during the present sea-
son. Most Of the people went with posi-
tive misgivings, and in consequence we're
inclined to be most exacting in their re-
quirements in both play and player. The
Now York papers have not dealt kindly
with Miss DickinsOn's dramatic work
some of them have condemned it totally,
others have damned it with faint praise,
and altogether the impression has gained
popular circulation that this favorite Of the
rostrum has wandered from her sphere in
seeking to add the laurel of histrionic fame
to the chaplet of literary and intellectual
superiority that has SO long adorned
her brow. Certainly an altogether un-
propitious state Of the public mind
before which to again como for
applause with a new play, and with the
tho memory of the failure Of the old yet
startlingly distinct. So it was, the people
sat and watched the progress Of the per-
formance in a querulOus sort Of way that
clearly enough indicated the disposition
to PREJUDICE, and the continuance of which
to the last drop of the curtain would not
have beer surprising had the play been of 4
dozen times the force of the one that drag
ged its length through four acts last
night for it il a simple matter Of fact
that when an audience gets its head
set in one particular direction the
poor actor has task that is we'll
nigh hopeless in endeavoring to reverse q
judgment that has been rendered in ad-
vance Of the trial. Not that there was
not plenty Of just ground of complaint
with last nights performance. The play
is ono that completely circumscribes
Miss Davenport's abilities. With 4
less distinguished star it would be ac-
cepted by an average audience as So
ciety drama ofthe regulation sort in which
the absence of positive and overpowering
merit would not be made the occasion OF
abuse and caustic criticism. The motive
of the play is by no means q new one, nor
is there anything especially novel in its
development. The spectacle OF the petted
belle of society sacrificing taste and incli-
nation to save an idOlized father from ruin
and dishonor, placing herself in a position
that is repugnant to her previous condi-
tion and makes her the target Of misrepre-
sentatiOn and criticism, is a theme that
playwrights and novelists have turned
over and over again until it is worn
threadbare, and that the gifted author in
its selection did not evolve from it some
thing outside the customary groove,
is a matter of surprise TO people
acquainted with her mental capac-
ity The scenes are generally COM
monplace, the dialogue is long -winded and
abounding in tiresome platitudes, and there
is but one really powerful passage in the
whole play this occurs in the closing
scene of the third act which constitutes
an anti-climax of uncommon force, re-
deems in large measure the monotonous
character of the remainder of the piece :,
and furnishes a captivating glimpse of
Miss DavenpOrt's tragic and emotional
qualities that ought to have stirred the
audience but it didn't for the people were
in an altogether unamiable frame of mind
and wouldn't recognize good thing even
when they saw it. At this point, if
anywhere, Miss Davenport deserved
the call before the curtain which
with unaccountable perversity had been
rendered her at the close of the preceding
act, and not renewed at this admirable
period. Miss Davenport is cer-
tainly finished actress, possessing
cou1tenance mobile and express
sive, physique handsome and COM
manding, voice that can overflow with
tenderness or ring with the majestic tone
of an aroused womanhOod. She has not
yet appeared in this city in anyrolc that has
afforded her the opportunity of bringing
her capabilities into play. Shakspearean
comedy is better. adapted to her art than
the society melodrama of Augustin DAILY
upon which Miss Dickinson has scarcely
improved.
Miss Davenport's support was equal to
the requirements Of the occasion. Mr..
Henry Lee is pains-taking actor. Mr..
D. w. Chase served to amuse the audi
ence by his comical antics, while the role
of the family physician in the hands Of
Mr.. F. Chippendale received satisfactory
treatment. Miss Davenport's costumes
and diamonds were marvels Of artistic
taste and beauty.