Daily globe., 1883-08-07
"TAKEN FROM LIFE"

a Realistic Drama Presented at the Opera
House Last Evening-A Synopsis of it's
Incidents and a Review of the Manner in
Which it Was Presented.
The initial performance Of the melo-
drama 'Taken from Life" by the j. Rial
combination, at the Opera house last
night, was Witnessed by good sized audi
ence, and if frantic shouts and other
boisetrous marks of approval may be taken
as an evidence of success, the presentation
was highly appreciated
The dress circle and gallery were crowd
ed, below stairs being only fairly filled,
and in justice to the play it must be said
that it possesses elements of interest and
popularity, but in both instances they are
what Geoge Elliot would describe as; dy-
manic and realistically intense.
With larger stage facilities, fresher and
better accessories in the way of scenery,
little pruning of the lines, shorter waits
and more practice on the part of the mem
bers of the cast, most diverting and en-
joyable entertainment would be afforded.
The first elements will be forthcoming
with the new Opera house, and the play
will mend in the last named respects as
tho company acquire more familiarity
with the lines and business, as it should
be borne in mind that last night was the
first of their season, and it is
not to be expected that things
will run smoothly on the first presentation
after long vacation. ''Taken from Life"
is a melo- drama in five acts; it contains
several realistic situations, and affords
scope for the display of considerable dra-
matte merit-to which the present com
pany bring a good measure of ability.
The plot is laid in rural district of Eng
land, the motive is the somewhat familiar
one of virtue aud poverty battling with
uneven odds against successful chicanerv
and vice, while time, which the poets saw
make all things even, squares the accounts
at last, and villiany is defeated while the
hero and heroine of the play walk off with
the laurels. Walter Lee, a poor. but tai
ented artist, falls in love with Kate DENNY.
who reciprocates the passion. The latter
has brother who has mortgaged rich
estate and fallen into the tolls of PhiIip
Radley, an adventurer. Radley has con-
ceived liking for the girl and has an am
bition to marry her and to this purpose
he exercises his influence over John Denly.
her brother.
At this point the plot th1ckens. The hero
inc scorns the addresses of the adventurer.
she is denounced and discarded by her
brother, and as the curtain falls to slow
music, she and her artist husband retire to
marital bliss and poverty. On
the estate of DENNY resides William
Mcguire, a socialist of the most pro-
nounced order. He is ordered to Quit the
estate for advancing eommunlstic ideas
among the workmen, and as result of his
ejectment his INVALID wife dies. He
charges her death upon DENNY and vows
that the latter's life shall atone for his
misfortune. In the second act
Dedhy seeks the squalid abode
of the artist in London.
while here he meets the struggling genius
and they have an encounter during which
the former is slightly wounded; the artist
rushes from the room aud during his alb
sence the socialist enters and meets Den-
by; he proceeds to carry out his threat and
an encounter takes place which results in
the latters death. The painter is CHARGED
with the crime and thrown in prison. In
the same prison ID confined a nihiIist. an
accessory of Mcguire; in order to release
him the prison is blown up with dynamite
and Lee also escapes and flies to America.
After several years he returns and things
become more complicated.
Finally Magiure dies and makes a con-
fession of the murder, at the same time
charging Radley with forgery. The latter
is placed behind the bars and all ends
happily. The above is an outline of the
story interviewer with which are number
of interesting situations.
In addition to the characters named are
Titus Knott, nondescript, Bole, "The