The morning call., 1893-10-31
AT THE THEATERS.
Oaven port DaZZles With
"Cleopatra."
1.-The Three Guardsmen' Fills the
StoCkwell-Germau Theater.
The Eden Musee.

DaveDport's opening night at the Baldwin
wi h her fayorite "CeopaIra"-ihe palm for
which she claims to have wrested from he
hands Of Sarah B=rDbafdt-was as brilliant as
an assemblage up 10 the capacity of the audi
forum of lashionably dressed dies aud gen.
tleme9 could make il, and which. 1t may be.
dded was so enthusiastic in the tone and
spirit With which il welcomed the American
actress and encouraged her all through as 10
lend the color of recognition to her claim to
take precedence In this part OF the gift ex-
soeelaire Of the Jomedie Franchise. The yer-
sion Of Antony and Cleopatra" which Miss
Davenport presents may be said TO be Shake
speare's poem embellished by the staPecraft Of
Sardou. Some OF the settings are beWildeIing
than those which our theatergoeTs so
much admired when their eyes were first
dazzed by tile mimic gories Of Egyprs Queen.
The first scene is pic ure OF rare lOyeliness,
and may be here described as sample OF the
exquisite attention 10 scenic and pictorial art
that. 10 greater or less degree, peryades the
other tableaux. There are six In all. II shows
the marble quays of Tarsus. with the silver
stream Of the Cyndus River IN the distance, its
lowery banks overbung with luxurisnt
growth OF cypress, laurels and pomegranates.
In front rises stately portico approached by
flights OF marble steps, ana opening at the
back, with a glimpse of winding river. of the
town snc OF the cedar-wooded heights beyond.
This fs Mark AntOny's justice house. The
coming of Cleopatra IN the bark OF Venus
creates a genuine sensation. The bark fs a
gOrg ous affair. manned with sturdy rowers,
and contains beautiful female slaves In all
sorts of seductive poslures. The beautiful
Egyptian Queen reclioes under canopy gar
landed with roses.
The tempest scene in the fifth act where Cleo.
patra, transformed into genuine soreeress,
conjures up Il terrific storm 10 destroy the forces
of 0ctavius. is a grand effect. But The story OF
the piece is,so well known that IL Is unnecessary
To dwell on lis details.
is W
doubt. 10 realize The received idea Of the stall
wart Roman physique. Beginning with Mel
bourne Mcdowell himself The Romans are all
men OF height, OF thews and sinews, who tread
the arth as IL IL belonged 10 them by right OF
conquest. McDowell makes an imposing figure
as Mark AntoDy-sOch a one as Is calculated 10
induce youngster hesltatiDg about Joining he
Olympic Club to make up his mind In favor OF
such step Al once. McDowelfs acting too,
is well up To the marK-the result OF long expe-
rience.
Miss Davenport is gorgeously sappareed as
the Queen of Egypt. ciaIly in the first scene.
The stuffs with which she invests her ample
yet shapely limbs are costly aud al the same
so clinging ana daringy dispbaDols as 10 al
ford very liberal view Of their opulent pro-
portions. Such dresses must. some OF them
have taxed a modlste's skill 10 the utmost and
her sense OF propfieiy Al the same time. Miss
Davenport has lost none OF her acting power in
the personltInn of this capricious character
Ii Is without doubt the best in her repertoire.
The old and well-known drama In six tab
leaux, adopted from the French of Dumas by
James WalIack, "Tne Three Guardsmen," )"
served 10 draw q full house to the Stockw well
On account OF the excellence OF tile cast the
performance gave great satisfaction TO the
audience. Mr.. Clarence K. Holt as D'Artag.
nan. the adventurer, with bis good sword
"Babby," made regular swashbucklei OF q
guardsman. ready 10 hight on The slightest
pfoyoeatlon. He infused an agreeable light
ness all through his action, so much so that he
succeed d admirably In accomplishing what
the part Is Intended 10 do-to relieve certain
beaylness and m0nolony In the general bust