PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3789, 16 April 1875, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

There was a crowded house at the Princess’s last evening to witness the production here for the first time of Charles Reade’s adaptation of his own novel, “ The Wandering Heir.’’ If by it we are to judge him as a playwright, we mast pronounce him an immense failure. Over a prologue and five acts he spins his plot, which it takes nearly four hours to work, out with this result: that nine out of every ten persons fail to see its connection; and it is brought to a most uncertain and unglorious termination. A nything more ridiculously weak in construction we do not remember having seen. Ahd in stead of pourtraying Irish life, or life on American plantations before the abolition of slavery, we are treated to a burlesque of both; while it would seem as if the author took a delight in stringing together the greatest improbabilities and regarding them as possibilities. The improbable situations and incidents are startling in their multiplicity. The success of the piece depends wholly on adventitious aids, scenery and the dressing of the character of the heroine. And in those respects it need hardly be said, it is done full justice to. Mr Willis has painted some good scenery ; the first 41 set’’-—Dublin -Quay, by moonlight—being particularly good, and last night it earned for him a call. Mies Howard a splendid opportunity, which she avails hersulf of to the utmost, of displaying her personal attractions. She appears in four different dresses, and each is simply gorgeous. They have been so well described elsewhere that we cannot do better than transfer the description to our colums.

Youknow, of course, how Tillage coquettes u«ed to attire themselves a century and a-half ago. They wore quilted silk petticoats, muslin kittles, low satin hip bodices, which, in fact, were stays outside, mob caps, and high-heeled shoes. You have seen pictures af such a costume, and no doubt so has Miss Howard, who has usedtthe information accordingly. This is the first panel in the set of four. In the next the-romp is in breech-s, (at the epoch of the play they called this garment by that name, and people were not shocked to hear it). Panel three shows the romp in a handsome gown of the time, without any especial distinguishing appearance, beyond the fact of its being a very becoming dress. In the trial scone she wears black as appropriate to the extremity of the situation.

While agreeing with what has been said as to the excellent taste with which the character is dressed, we cannot help thinking that Miss Howard makes Phillip too gaily apparelled for a slave. But as Mr Reade has reduced Philip’s slavery to a kind that is synonomous with haying “little to do, and well treated for so doing; ” it is perhaps pardonable that Miss Howard should be a little incongruous too. Of her acting it iS' quite sufficient to say that -it i« intelligent enough to make very plain a not over plain plot. She is best as Philip. Of the rest little need be said. Mr Steele, as “ The Wandering Heir,” has a good deal to say, but little to call for the exercise of much power. Miss stoneham makes the most of her little part, but nature did not endow her with the power of assuming a brogue; Mr Musgrave was mirth-pro-voking as the hypocritical slave owner, and dignified as the judge; Mr Clinton was good in his double character of vilaliu and overseer of a slave gang; Mr Keogh revelled in the part of one of the most absurd negro creations ever given to the stage; while Mr Love in the first act uaed the part of a country bumpkin so prominent as'to deserve a special round of applause. The several calls before the curtain showed that the audience were pleased with the piece, which will be repeated this evening. When the curtain fell Mr Keogh came to the footlights and announced that the management had extended Miss Howard’s engagement for another week, during which she will appear in legitimate comedy.