Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-12
OLD PLAYS AND NEW.

Mrs. John Drew as Lady Tesxle In The
school for Scandal Madame Janauschek
~ Elizabeth Casper the Yodier-sheri-
dan and Fiynn-The Museums.
Mrs John Drew and q very evenly-bai-
anced company OF good players appeared In
shertdan's masterpiece, "The School for
Scandal" last night at the Duquesne Thea
ter. The play loses none of its wondrous
charm ns the years roll on; the audience
laughed rs loudly and as often last night sss
Sheridan himself could have wished, and
showed their appreciation OF fitmore heartily
than the London audience did that saw
it frst-fOr we are told that 1t
dragged tediously on the first night From
the reception of the classic comedy last
night we may conclude that farce and mere
vulgarity have not corrupted the popular
taste yet, and that a return to real comedy
would be very welcome If the Sheridans of
this day will only be kind enough to market
their wares. But the wonderful acting
of Mrs. John Drew reminds us pain
fully of the fact that her successors are not
many or easy to find. Mrs Drew played
Lady 7edzle last night as she has played it for
more years than 1t is gallant to say, with an in
inity of pains, with delicious drollery, and
with personal charm which compels ad-
mirati0n and still more affection. That she
looked as if she belonged to the age Of pow
der and patches, goes without saying, for
her recent portrayal Of Mrs. Mntdprop has
made us familiar with her easy assumption
of the airs and graces of a woman Of fashion
in the days when the guinea bore Georges
head. She spoke the witty lines with
wealth of expression, and subtlety Of in
hection, accompanying her words with ac-
tion and facial expression as eloquent and
amusing. The picture Of shame and
confusion the finale of the screen scene al
lowed her to give was perhaps the finest bit
OF art. Her dresses were triumphs in their
way, too. Her first dress was of white satin
with pearl passementerie, and the second
was even more exquisite, the skirt being of
point lace over pink brocade and the BODICE
of green velvet. Mrs. Drew was welcomed
with round of applause and repeatedly re-
But Mrs Drew is not all the company by
great deal. Such a finished artist as
Mr.. Eben Plympton could not
but. give an excellent Interpretation
character of Charles Surface. 1t was a grace
full and full-blooded hero that Mr.. Plympton
made Then the sleek, sly and selfish scamp,
Joseph Surface, was well brought before us by
Jepson was almost enough to make him an
ideal Sir OliuerSurJdce, but the rest of his de-
lineation of the benevolent uncle was very
well conceived and carried out. Mr.. George
as an admirable Sir Peter Teasle;
''s study. Mr.. BradocR's % % ST. Bsyanis aaAis Baes
bite was full of eighteenth century
grace and insincere courtliness. Some of
the smaller characters were nicely played,
and Miss Harold's Mrs. Cd,adotr was viva
cious and bright if a little too modern. The
performance, as q whole, was smooth and
worthy OF the great play and the great star.
In the audience were many veteran lovers
Of the stage, and they expressed their ap-
proval of the performance as loudly as the
youngsters OF to-day.