3-065-807 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene from the new play, "Clancarty," at the Olympic Theatre, 1874. London stage production. 'It is seldom that the climax of a new play can be presented in a pictorial illustration. The drama of " Clancarty," however - one of the cleverest pieces of stage construction that even [ever?] Mr. Tom Taylor has given to the modern stage - is so skilfully arranged that all the early incidents of it conduct to the striking situation of the third act, in the bedchamber of Lady Clancarty, when she and her lord have that "meeting and parting " on which the final interest of the action depends. The situation, moreover, has the advantage of bringing all the principal characters together. Prominent in the scene, and forming its central group, we have the unhappy couple themselves (Mr. Henry Neville and Miss Ada Cavendish), locked in each other's embrace, to the disgust of Lord Charles Spencer (Mr. W. H. Vernon), the satisfaction of Lady Betty Noel (Miss Fowler), and the surprise of all parties. A more complete situation cannot be conceived. The picture tells its own story, and requires no explanation. The play itself is of high merit, and will command the stage for many months to come'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.