Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-09-01
Walter Ben sley' . New Drama.

Il
this city will be pleased to hear of hi
success In the new melo drama Bur
Oaks" which has been performed a
the Chestnut street theatre, Philadel
phia, for the past week. Although tn,
weather has been quite warm, the thea
tre has been crowded every night, AND
those who went once were pretty sure
to go again.
A representative of the REpUbLIcAs
being in Philadelphia last Saturday
night, visited the theatre, and when ht
saw the play performed, and the charac
ter Of Burr Oaks sustained by Mr.
Bentley, In his usual mastery man
ner, the crowded house, despite the
hard times and warm weather, we're nc
longer a subjet Of wonderment to him.
The drama Is we'll told domestic
tale Of home life, simple, but effective,
and does not contain single improba-
bility. The scene is located in Illinois,
during and after the rebellion, and Burr
Oaks, who had been deserted by his
father when but q child, in villa &c
whose name he took in preference to
that Of his recreant parent, by a
fortunate incident discovers bis
mothers father, who is quite wealthy,
him his heir, but shortly after, a blow
aimed by BuIr at rival for his wife's
hand, misses MIN and strikes his grand
father, whom he su2poses he has
killed.
With the feeling that the mark OF
Cain Is upon his brow he fees, leaving
his young wife in the greatest distress,
and joins the Union army. He had
barely turned from the scene, of what
he supposed Is murder, when Harrison,
an ambitious but INSCRIPTIONS young
man, found the body and undertook to
rob 1t, when the old man revived, and
a scuffle ensued, during which he
struck the blow which killed the old
man, and lie too became q fugi-
tive.
Nine years is supposed to have
elapsed between the first and second
act, when Burr Oaks, who is supposed
to have been killed in the war, turns
up at the village inn, homeless vaga-
bond, weighed down with supposed
guilt. Harrison Is in the house at the
time and recognizes him, but from q
conversation which takes place IN
| the bar.room between the village JUS
tice and Martain Follett, bounty
jumper and thief, Burr Oaks is led tt
believe that it was another who struck
the fatal blow, and his whole energies
are directed to find uncontrovertib BILE
proof of this fact.
After several exciting and realistic
situations he is enabled to show beyond
the possibility of doubt, by wringinl
n confession from the assassin, that h'
himself is an innocent, but greatly
wronged man, and at last he is restored
to his wife and the child who had beel
born during his absence.
The acting of Mr.. Bentley is superb
and his impersonation of the title rol
is highly artistic, but in strict accord
ance with his very forcible delineatioI
of the Silver King.
Too much praise cannot be awarde,
Miss May Brooklyn, who sustains tn
character of Margie, Burr Oak's wife
and plays the part in a natural, feelin
and sympathetic manner Miss Brooky
made an excellent impression in Phils
delphia last week, and during the pc
formance Saturday night was presente
with a large and magnificent basket {
flowers
Miss Brooklyn and Mr.. Bentley wei
called before the curtain at the close
each act. The remainder of the con
pany are all first class, and sustai
their parts in an admirable manner.
For the scenery there can only b
the most unqualified praise that Of th
autumn especially, with its fallin
leaves, being novelty in stage al
pointments, while the deserted water
mill AT moonrise is weird but pie
turesque piece of realism.
There Is no doubt but Burr Oaks
with this very efficient company, an
under the able management of MI
Alexander, will prove great success
They open in Pittsburg 10 night for
season of one week, and will appear i
this city later in the season.