Show matchmaking match making amusements in the nutmeg state is the theme of that successful play A nutmeg match which will be seen at the grand opera house tonight septem bor A number of changes have been made in the play since it was first given last season chiefly in the direction of simplicity of plot and eliminations ot details which were superfluous it is now admitted to be a remarkably strong and effective play the scenes of A nutmeg mutch are laid in and the people who figure in them afford much amusement for the audience the comedy is clean and good and is varied with just enough pathos to make the dish palatable there ie one scene which is novel thrilling and altogether unconventional there is a short sharp struggle between two men in deadly combat one is knocked senseless and is immediately placed beneath tho block of a ponderous pile driver A quick turn of the wrist and the eleam issues in puffs from the boiler the engine works and the immense weight rises slowly just as it reaches the top and cornea crashing down with a dorco that shakes the very stage the heroine rushes in and drags the body out of danger few dramatic situations hold the audience completely spellbound spell bound A life lon friend of mrs john drew who is familiar with her career on the stage said of her no living actress has been so long identified with legitimate theatrical art as mrs drew she has played in every branch of the drama in early life she was ft favorite in burlesque and and everything she did invariably merited the highest praise I 1 recall with pleasure her admirable performances in the comedy of errors and the serious famila at the arch street theater philadelphia in the early when her husband was one of the managers of that house in the serious family her versatility and sprightliness were shown mrs drews mother in the cast when alie fairy extravaganza fortunio was presented mrs drew performed the title role and made an attractive looking bov for which she received great credit what is now known as the topical song was then unknown but mrs drew introduced a number of local verses into hop de doodle do and sang them amid thunders of applause executing a dance at the end of each verse another pleasing remembrance of mrs drew was her lady macbeth to edwin for rests macbeth at the walnut street theater she was in every way a groat lady macbeth when mrs drew became alio manageress of the arch street theater lier great versatility as an actress was frequently displayed she showed a greater fondness for comedy among her beet impersonations during the early part of lier managerial career were in oura and in rosedale As you know she has latterly devoted her aalt entirely to the character of mrs the crowning work of her long and brilliant career |