| Title: | Thirst for Gold; or, The Lost Ship and the Wild Flowers of Mexico |
 |
|---|
| Description: | Thirst for Gold; or, The Lost Ship and the Wild Flowers of Mexico by Ben Webster. Tableau 2 was " The sea of ice." Jules de Valois (Captain of The Eugenie) was played by Charles Selby. |
 |
|---|
| 1st Performance: | Dec 5, 1853 |
|
|---|
| Theatre: | Adelphi |
|
|---|
| Source: | The Illustrated London News, Dec 17, 1853, p. 517 |
|
|---|
| See Source: | Go to Source Images (9.7 MB) |
|
|---|
| Review: | The Illustrated London News, Dec 17, 1853, p. 517 |
|
|---|
|
"THE SEA OF ICE," AT THE ADELPHI.
We this week present an illustration of the second tableau in the new piece produced
at the Adelphi Theatre, under the title of "The Thirst for Gold." The
scene in question is the "Sea of Ice." on which the commander of the Eugenie
is cast, with his family, and Putney Will. We have already described
the extraordinary machinery by which the icy surface of the stage is converted into a watery one
while the hapless parents sink into the in-rushing sea, leaving their infant daughter on an
ice-block, yet dissolved, and which floats her ultimately to a place of safety. The
situation is, in all respects, powerfully rendered; and, illustrated, as it is, by scenery
and machinery so applicable, is irresistibly effective. The acting of the piece
throughout is capital. Mr. Webster, as the villainous
Pedro, afterwards
the Marquis D'Arvez, displays his usual tact and talent in the portraiture of
cool and quiet rascality, which has become, as it were, the pattern-type now-a-days of
the stage criminal. The accepted playwright of the present time eschews bombast
verse, and affects a colloquial familiarity, which requires from the actor more intensity
than vehemence. We doubt whether
the recipe is not growing of too easy application, and makes, on every fresh occasion,
fewer demands on both performer and dramatist: the character is, in fact, fast becoming
stereotype, though it has not yet quite outlived its attraction. Madame Celeste's
impersonation of the Mexican girl is decidedly picturesque and telling; while the development
of the psychological elements requires more than ordinary intellectual acumen; and this Madame
Celeste brings to the performance, and realises the difficult
situations
of the later scenes with equal truth and vigour. Putney Will by Mr. Keeley is
also a rare example of eccentric acting. The idea of the character is somewhat outré. A
British sailor, who mistakes his trembling impulse to partake in every row and to resist
oppression of every sort, for the sign and symptom
of cowardice; and then wonders at
the deeds of valour he has performed, while in such a state of excitement. The
assumption suits Mr. Keeley's style of acting perfectly. The part, unfortunately,
only appears at short intervals; but it is so well interpreted that it is never forgotten.
The drama, considered as a spectacle only, is eminently calculated for a long run.
|
 |
