Bowery Theatre

[Reviews entire week of performances.] “On Monday evening, Miss Fanny Morgan Phelps, who has already achieved a reputation as being one of the best Irish comediennes in the country, made her first appearance at the Old Bowery for this season, where her services have been judiciously secured by the enterprising manager, Mr. Freleigh. Since that period she had changed her rôle nearly every night, and last evening she appeared as Madeline or the Belle of the Faubourg. This drama partakes of the Janet Pride order and admits of a good deal of the sensational style of acting, to which Miss Phelps does ample justice. First as the belle, and then as the devoted wife trying to reclaim her drunken husband, she gives full force to the character of Madeline, and last evening ‘drew down the house’ with applause several times.In addition to Miss Phelps, Mr. Freleigh has two other stars in his troupe in the persons of Miss Nellie Howard and Annie Gibbons, who dance jigs with such inimitable grace and diablerie that the Bowery boys are fairly enchanted. Frank Gibbons’ ‘leap for life’ and performance on the lofty wings is another feature in the Bowery playbill, which certainly always contrives to draw crowded houses.”

“Fanny Morgan Phelps commenced her second engagement in this city on the 11th inst., opening at the Old Bowery Theatre in ‘Actress by Daylight’ and the ‘Wild Irish Girl,’ which was repeated the following evening. The ‘Belle of Faubourg’ and ‘Bonnie Fish Wife’, ‘Pauline’ and ‘Katie O’Shiel,’ ‘The Robber’s Wife’ and ‘Susan Hopley,’ were the plays performed the remainder of the week. This lady is an actress who has gained a reputation in the Australian and California theatres for her performances in a variety of legitimate pieces. In personal appearance she is very prepossessing, and she has the power of covering up the deficiencies of those around her by her admirable rendition of characters in which she appears. Her singing is invariably encored. In Scotch and Irish dialect characters she is equal to any actress present on the stage. Her style is free, natural and full of spirit, and at once wins the favor of her audiences. . . . .

Annie Gibbons and Nellie Howard, double clog and jig dancers, commenced an engagement at the Old Bowery Theatre, in this city, on the 11th inst., and continue there at present. They have made a very favorable impression in their double clog and jig dancing, being called out every evening. They do two good acts and are a card in any music hall. Managers wishing to engage them will find their advertisement in another column.”