Daily Republican., 1884-02-19
EXCELSIOR.
Tho Grand Spectacular Drama as
the Walnut Street Theatre.

the Walnut Street Theatre.
Excelsior" that is now being pre-
sented at the Walnut street ttheatre
Philadelphia, is the grandest spectacu'
lar drama ever placed on the stage
and is filing the theatre nightly. Last
Saturday night there was large mum.
Der OF persons present from this city all
of whom were delighted. The play is a
triumph Of scenic effects and stage
mechanism, representing the progress
of the world from the darkness of the
early ages to the light and civilization
of the nineteenth century.
The acting is all pantomilnic, not a
word being spoken, but 50 well are the
movements executed that everything IL
as plain to the audience as it could JOS
sibiy be made by the use of speech. The
curtain rises in the first act on city in
ruins, with Darkness" reigning SUI
preme !" Light" portrayed by a beau.
tiful woman, is held in chains and
bondage at his feet ; but suddenly a
ray Of light breaks upon the scene, she
receives new life, her letters are broken
and fall to the ground, she enters upon
the conflict with Darkness.
BY a perfection of stage mechanism,
the scene instantaneously changes to a
temple Of Light and Progress, showing
the triumph of exultant genii in illumi-
mating humanity.
The first scene in the second act Is
laid on the banks of river; men pass
in row boats, and Darkness" rejoices.
A steamboat makes It's appearance,
when Envy" and Malice" urged
on by Darkness" urge and incite the
peasants until they destroy it, but
Light" appears and changes the scene
to America, showing New York and
Brooklyn bridge, lighted with electric
lights, cars passing to and fro over it,,
and ocean steamers and ferry boats on
the East river beneath.
The scene in the third act opens with
An old Pasha and a beautiful woman
whom he has purchased as a slave. In
answer to her earnest entreaties he Ia
about to free her, when DARKNESS "
appears and taunts him with weakness.
He shows him vision of bondage,
when Light comes in, and changes
the picture to one of freedom and
liberty, with the immortal Lincoln
smiling serenely on the happy scene.
Tie next scene portrays the difficult
ties of travelling under the domination
of Darkness" and tie opening Of
the suez canal by Light" with all
races meeting and clasping hands, and
ships of all nations in view.
This is followed by the first scene of
n nt a ri n q N n
his laboratory, busy with his batteries
and inventions: but all his labors are
fOiled by Darkness.
just AS he is about to give up in de-
spair, Light" appears, and grants him
mis- desire, the discovery of electricity.
" Darkness" tries TO destroy the bat
t. ry but is frustrated, and is confronted
with Light, the tinkling Of electric
bells are heard, telegraph poles and
wires are seen, and fifty telegraph boys
rush to and fro with messages. The third
scene shows the tunneliug of Mount
Gents and the triumph of engineering
skill under the btnt ticent influence of
Light"
This is followed by scenes illustrative
of the prowess of " Civilization" and
The final subjection of" Darkness" by
" Light" the whole concluding with a
magnificent spectacle produced by
hundreds of electric lights. All the
effects are increased by powerful cal
cicium lights, and the piece is the most
attractive that can possibly he tonceiv-
ed.
The ballet is perfection, and Miss AL
bertine Flint, the principal premier, who
impersonates Civilization" is one OF
the most accomplished and charming
dancers that has ever appeared on the
American stage.
Everything connected with the stage
mechanism works with precision and
regularity, and the music is grand. The
play will be continued at the Walnut
for one or two weeks longer.