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SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRIE
NIBLO's GARDEN
A change of bill was made last night at
Niblo's Garden. “Leo and Lotus” gave place
to the "Scouts of the Prairie." Of the former
the public, it appears, know enough; of the latter,
few will know much, even alter repeated
hearing. A great number of people assembled
on the first representation to try the experiment.
We are bound to say that the general
sentiment was one of almost unbounded approval.
Our implication, therefore, as to the
intelligibility of the drama need not be construed
so affecting its probable popularity. The
"Scouts of the Prairie " was preceded by a
farce, also said to be written by Mr. Ned Buntline,"
called "The Broken Bank." Mr. Buntline
will, however, be best pleased by our confining
our comments to the drama which made the
staple of the night. The "Scouts of the Prairie"
is then, made up largely of wars and the rumors
of wars. The characters are always either
fighting or getting ready to fight. Most of them
seem to be shot down In the course of the action,
and come miraculously to life again in the sequel,
to the infinite satisfaction of the audience.
The chief personages of this singular production
are named and represented as follows:
SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRIE
Buffalo Hill (By The Original Hero)...............Hon. W. F. Cody
Texas Jack (By The Original Hero)................J. B. Omohundro
Cal Durg……………………………………...Ned Buntline
Mormon Ben………………………………....Harry Wentworth ,
Phelim O’laugherty……………………....Geo. C. Davenport
Carl, Pretzel………………………………..Walter Fletcher .
Hazel Eye……………………………………...Senorita Eloe Carfano
INDIANS
Wolf Slayer…………………………………Shirley. H. France
Big Eagle…………………………………Joseph J. Winter
Little Bear…………………………………George. B. Beach
PAWNEE INDIANS
| Ar-fi-a-ka ……Grassy Chief | Te-co-tie-pown......Big Elk |
|---|---|
| As-ge-tes ........Prairie Dog | Kit-kot-tons ........Great River |
| As-sin-an-wa....Water Chief | Ko-ku-su ...........Swamp Fox |
We have to say of Hon. W. F. Cody that he
exhibited, on his first appearance before a
Metropolitan audience, a surprising degree of
aplomb, notable ease of gesture and delivery,
and a vocal power quite sufficient readily to fill
a large theatre. His use of the revolver and
rifle indicate extensive practice, and were vastly
relished by the audience. In fact, the unmitigated
bloodshed that ends every act and
almost every scene of this unique composition,
were so satisfactory to the public, that the management
might be forgiven for hereafter assuming
that the key to success must lie in the
exhibition of cataracts of gore. Mr. Omohundro
gained a fair share of the evening's applause,
and, like Mr. Cody, evinces a remarkable
case for what we suppose to be limited stage experience.
The temperance lecture introduced
by Mr. Ned Buntline in act second, it's calculated
to do a great deal of good, and we hope it will.
It shows marks of careful preparation, and
honors both the experience and good intention
of the writer. Senorita Eloe Carfano has much
physical vigor, and is certainly more like what
she undertakes to represent than nine
women out of ten could manage to be.
The Dove Bye of Mle. Morlacchi did not, so
far as we can judre, fall short of expectation.
On the whole, we have no hesitation in
conscientiously affirming that to be appreciated.
The "Scout of the Prairie" must, of [word?],
be seen. It is only just to say that the representation
was attended by torrent of what
seemed thoroughly spontaneous applause; and
that whatever faults close criticism may detoot,
there is certain flavor of realism and of
nationality about the play well calculated to
gratify a general audience. "The Scouts of
the Prairie," as interpreted by Meesrs. Cody,
Omobundro, and Buntline, will be repeated until
further notice; and we think we can safely
promise whoever assists at it performance
hearty enjoyment of a nature measured
in the various instances by their own peculiar tastes
and culture.
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