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A NEW play was brought out at this theatre last week entitled "The New Magdalen." It is a dramatization by Wilkie Collins of his novel bearing the same name, but differs essentially from the novel in its conclusion, and was written expressly for Miss Leclercq. The plot is interesting and exciting throughout, although we must confess it weakens perceptibly during the long speeches, moral and sentimental, of the unclerical parson Vivian Gray. The character of Mercy Merrick gives Miss Leclercq an opportunity to display her magnificent dramatic powers. Her story is that of a young woman making every effort against the prejudices of society to regain the social position she has lost by early indiscretion. An opportunity to do so by deceit is suddenly thrust upon her; she grasps it, though not without a struggle with herself, and finds herself courted and admired, in the midst of luxury and affluence. Finally, when called upon to resign all this, although she triumphs over her meaner-spirited rival and has it in her power to retain all her advantages, her noble nature shines forth after a fierce struggle, and she decides to confess, abandon all, and return to her former degraded condition. Every kind and degree of passion of which human nature is susceptible is found in this character. Ambition, gratified pride, love, hate, fear, and remorse, each struggle in turn for the mastery, and these, it is needless to say, are portrayed by Miss Leclercq in a most artistic and powerful manner. Miss Orton has the part of Grace Roseberry, which, in her hands, seems overdrawn, not to say fantastic.
Mr. H. H. Wood made his first appearance in Boston as Julian Gray, who, partly from Mr. Collins's design, but more from Mr. Wood's conception of dress and rendering, is a most curious personage. Though his acting is easy and natural, and many times effective, yet a certain heart-rending tone and Heep-like management of the hands leave behind a bad flavor, however slight. The Globe has always been noted for its elegant scenery, but it has produced nothing finer than the setting and appointments of this interesting play.
Barnum's.PROVIDENCE has of late been exceeding kind to our beloved University in preserving to us the lives of three of the Holworthy Aristocracy. These gentlemen were visiting Barnum's World's Fair at the time when the terrific tornado struck the canvas palace, filling the hearts of all with terror and consternation. Amid the howls of the affrighted animals, the shrieks of women, and the thunder of the elements, they rushed round (as did several thousand others) with a stoical indifference to their personal peril, and besought all to calm themselves. It was owing to their superhuman exertions that only one parrot escaped, and to their disinterested attentions that several young and lovely women were saved the disgrace of fainting in so public a place.
They have refused a permanent situation offered by the great P. T. B. himself, and are resting on their laurels till another circus comes. The medals they received can be seen at 1 1/2 Holworthy.
II H. Theatricals.On Tuesday evening of last week, the Brookline Town Hall was filled with a large and appreciative audience to witness the performance of the "Cup of Tea," and "Fra Diavolo, by members of the II H Society. The whole entertainment passed off smoothly, and without the embarrassing hitches which often occur in amateur theatricals. The comedietta was played with spirit throughout, Mr. French as Sir Charles, Mr. Simmons as the British footman, and Mr. Mackintosh as Lady Clara, all making the most of their parts, without overacting, while Mr. Nason's Scroggins was the best piece of farce-acting we have seen for a long time; from his first appearance till the fall of the curtain he carried the audience along with him.
"Fra Diavolo" is fully entitled to the rank which has been assigned to so many, "Byron's best burlesque." The lines are excellent, some of the puns capital, and the music, as arranged for this performance, delightful. Indeed, we have never heard a burlesque given with such painstaking care as regards this last feature. Some of the choruses attempted were very difficult and exacting, but all were rendered in the most precise and satisfactory manner. The college songs at the beginning of the third act were a prominent feature of the entertainment, and the audience grew very enthusiastic over them. Even poor old "Fair Harvard" was resurrected and sung in time, which fact, of itself, would save the character of a very bad performance. The principal character of the piece, Fra Diavolo, was played by Mr. Goodwin, and his acting deserves the highest praise; all his songs were encored, and his "business" throughout the play was carefully elaborated. Zerlina, the "pretty little dear," was capital, and Mr. French's scene in the bed-chamber was perhaps the most amusing bit of acting in the whole piece. Mr. Mackintosh's make-up as Lady Allcash was a triumph for Mr. Rothe and Mrs. Wilson, and in his duets with Fra Diavolo and Lord Allcash (Mr. Simmons) he obtained encores. The other characters were excellently done, and the chorus when on the stage refrained with admirable self-control from getting up to the foot-lights and monopolizing the acting, - a prevalent fault among amateur "supers."
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