Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), November 15, 1845, vol. 2, no. 19, p. ???, col. ?

[page 290, column 2:]

The Drama.

By a certain fluttering in the Press, we can discern as clearly as by the spreading of its wings, that the bird would take under them the warmth of the rising sun, that a new spirit is abroad in the Drama. The advent of this better feeling we predicted long since. Among its earliest indications was the reception of the new comedy ‘Fashion’ (to which we cannot altogether give our critical approval, but which, as from the hand of a well-liked woman, was a fortunate pioneer,) and of its authoress as a performer on the same boards where her play had been successfully produced. To these, are to be added, the interest excited in Mr. Hudson's admirable Lectures, appealing to the higher standards; the general attention called to the peculiar reception of Mr. Forrest, and Miss Cushman, an American actor and actress in England. Accumulating in the same direction we have another comedy, from the pen of Mr. Epes Sargent, the offer of a handsome (but inadequate) sum for a new play of American Life and Manners, by Mr. Manager Burton; a small offer for a shorter piece of a similar complexion, by Marble, the Comedian — and, to crown all, the appearance of an American actor upon the stage, in the person of Mr. Murdoch, who at a bound has passed his English rivals who were making a handsome figure in the country, or are on their way to do so, and satisfied the American Public once for all, that if they will be at the pains to look at home when they arc in want of actors, they may possibly find them. That a great change has come over the American Dramatic world within a very recent period — would be manifest at once, if we should ask what chance of success Mr. Murdoch might have entertained as an American Actor, if he had presented himself a couple of years ago! We believe that the universal answer would be that in spite of his great acknowledged talents, he must have come near failing altogether, or at least that he would have sorely felt the want of that popular and journalistic support which has, lately, been so liberally accorded to him. As we were among the first to stake our faith on this young American performer, we feel bound to accompany him in the future stages of his success. In Philadelphia where he played the week ending on the 8th November, he has had a great reception; his first house at the Walnut St. Theatre, being according to the correspondent of the N. Y. Spirit of the Times, the largest audience ever within its walls. The press and the people have appeared with greater unanimity and enthusiasm, if possible, in his behalf than even in New York. We give the account of two or three of the most judicious and sagacious of our Philadelphia contemporaries.

From Neal's Saturday Gazette.

Quite a sensation has been created during the week, at the Walnut street Theatre, by the return to the stage of our townsman and long-established favorite, Mr. Murdoch, who after years of retirement and careful study, once more presents himself as a candidate, not, as heretofore, for a second place, but for a station in the front rank of theatrical merit; and it was a source of much pleasure to observe how cheerily the call to such an ordeal, on the part of an American actor, was responded to by the public, who, knowing that no crude attempt was to be offered to their consideration, and that all necessary preliminary training had been encountered, came in crowds to form opinion and to record their judgment. At once grappling with the utmost difficulty, Mr. Murdoch first presented himself as Hamlet; and a more arduous selection could not have been made, both as regards the part itself and the prestige of many “illustrious predecessors,” several of whom have so identified themselves with Hamlet, that it is cot easy to have an idea of the character which is not incorporated, as it were, with them. But Mr. Murdoch's personation was triumphantly received — rarely, if ever, have we heard such bursts of enthusiastic applause within the walls of a theatre, as greeted him throughout, and as followed the fall of the curtain. So has it been also, on every night of his appearance, the house being crowded by brilliant audiences on each occasion; and the experiment may, therefore, be regarded as one of the most successful on record.

And this from the Saturday Courier:

The success of this gentleman, since his return to the stage, has been most gratifying to his friends, and a source, we doubt not, of great felicitation to himself. From our too settled servility hitherto to foreign dictation in theatrical affairs, it was to be feared that native genius, however eminent, would not excite sufficient interest to insure a fair hearing. But in the case of Mr. Murdoch, that fear has been entirely dissippated, especially in this, his native city., where his houses have been thus far crowded from pit to dome, with most intelligent and attentive audiences. To say that Mr. Murdoch who was ever a favorite, has greatly improved since he has left the stage, would be but a faint expression, in regard to one who has grasped with a nervous arm, an unfaltering foot, an indomitable resolution, the very highest range of his profession. His readings, points, and bearings evince the close and hearty study he has accorded to their perfection, and his audiences appear keenly alive to their many beauties.

Mr. Murdoch has performed, during the present week, another brilliant and triumphant engagement in this same city. In our notices of the Theatre, we shall always have an eye to its reform and elevation. We are, in this respect, on the eve of a great dramatic Revolution.

MISS CUSHMAN, THE ACTRESS. — We notice that some of the American papers say Miss Cushman has not been doing well at the English provincial theatres. There are few, if any, of our own celebrated actresses who have pocketed so many English sovereigns as our fair American friend, who has so lately left her home and country to seek fame and fortune in a foreign land.

Miss Cushman has just completed an engagement of twelve nights at Manchester, for which she received 2000 dollars. Her engagements at Bristol, Bath, Sheffield, and other places, have been excellent and most profitable. — English paper.