Broadway Theatre

“Mr. Owens has appeared at this theatre in a new comical burlesque upon the future, entitled Chloroform; or, New York in 1967. Rip Van Winkle was an infant at sleeping compared to the hero of Chloroform, played with all his eccentric humor by Mr. Owens, for Rip only dozed twenty years, while this expert napper sleeps himself a hundred years into the future, and wakes up then to discover that many of the extravagant ideas which we now hold chimerical, are existing realities. The plot of the piece is flimsy, the language broadly funny, and only for the acting of Owens, Miss Logan and one or two others would be a failure. Occasionally the dialogue goes beyond the limits of modesty. However, a public which is not ‘shocked’ at indelicacy of dress upon the stage will not, we suppose, be squeamish about a little freedom of speech. Obeying the existing universal demand for the exhibition of uncovered and lady-like limbs, Mr. Owens introduces a ballet in Chloroform, and thus gives it a magnetic power, which will of course be found to be irresistible. The comedy of the Victims has been given before the burlesque, and this has displayed Mr. Owens in one of his very liveliest and best played parts. The entertainment altogether is diverting—and we are sorry to have to announce that its run is limited.”