New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-07
Olyp,~;c Theaier.


The opening of tais pleasant tbeaief last
Monday evening attracted larger audience th>u
might have been expected rival attractions elsewhere
and the discussions of the weather being considered
A new English play in three acts entitled "Niriam's
Crime" was performed for the first time in this country
1T is announced as comic drams'-the story being
that of the the secret ove-sacrfces of grefStcken
Soung girl and the principal characters being oppressed
by the near approach of death in the first act, and
shrowded in mourning during the remaining two. 1
we might differ from the usually unmpeachable author
ity OF the programmes should prefer TO class such
piece among the modern domestic dramas Of which
st to be good specimen The domestic
drama" is understood TO be that which appeals, by
series Of more less credible incidents t. the tender
est emotions of the spectator astons powerful focus
Of sympathy upon injured and unohending innocence,
kndes a yiruous glow OF indignation against opposing
craft and maligniy and hsay, by battling vilainy at
fhe moment of its apparent triumph (wth tle aid Of no
matter how many gods ox machina), and restoring
framped purity TO its high estate satisfies all the con-
6tons Of social morality, and imIels the audience to
wipe away tear. Lest the popular heart should be
zoo painfully wrung the plot is usually dashed with
little humorous variety which, besides aleviatng the
general sadness of the situation introduces the valuable
dramatic element of contrast "The Chimney Corner
ere modelled precisely upon this plan; and "Miriam's
Crime" tae last to arrive here though not the last i'll
order Of production abroad does not sufficiently vary
from the average to claim especial description or
snalysis.
IT. well produced at the Olympic, aud with an
eydon, effort toward neutrality-suspicious. The drawing
room Of the first and second acts much better
ranged and appointed than stage drawing ordi-
DGry The introduction Of divan in the center
afforded opportunity for the characters 10 sit and
converse according the fashion of human beings in
zeal lfe-an opportunity Of which they at times ayailed
themselves The spectacle Of Young man and young
woman carrying their dialogue in easy and unaffected
attitude instead of prang erect at the line Of the foot
lights was truly refreshing. There was aiso a. CON-
mendab, attempt at vrasembance al about the region
OF the fireplace Let us, however whisper to the ma
nacement Of the Olympic that in the bes. European
fheaters fires are longer represented By painted /
fransparencies, but that imitation coal is employed.
with gas.tubcs so disposed as to allow the actual tame
70 appear The furniture and decorations were good, /
but might well have been better. and certainly more
profuse. If it were possible, too TO produce back
scene not dsfgued by the ugly cash IRON top to bot
tom which is nseparabe from fats together at the
center the picture would be nearly perfect.
We can sincerely compliment many Of the ladies and
gentlemen engaged in tie representation. Mr.. j. H.
Stoddagts assumption of returned Aust allan convict
heartless scheming scoundrel in velyeteels ex-
fremely vivid and powerful Mr.. ". H)st0n, an Eng
lsh actor who made his first appearance IN America on
Monday night at established himself fayOrite
BY his clever and ludcrons personaOn Of the part Of
Biles q LAWYERS clerk If Mr. HOstOn may be fairly /
Judged from this performance his talent is ndispuable
IL the earlier scenes he best; toward TIC close he
suffered himself to be betrayed into two extraya
gances as gesture and attitudes which marrcd TIE ar
tstic completeness ofhs acting. tie compliment
ed by calls before the curtain at the ends Of the second
and third acts Miss Henrietta Irving appeared to greet
advantage as the heroine Of tho piece greater
than on any occasion which We can remember.
her performance was Thoroughly dgnifed gentle and
refined. Miss Harris. in the character Of yoluble
landlady employed the brief tine OF her appearance on
the stage well to win cordial recognition from the
house Mr. ParsOe played creditlby the small part Of
al Irish Mr.. b. T. Ringgod, in the character
OF mild and rresolGte young lover, showed fair per
eeption Of the requirements Of the part
In the afterpiece 1.-The Comical Countess Mrs. |
John Wood appeared and handsomely welcomed. !
Her performance very bright and spirtedi the
part-that Of a cook. whom accident eey4tes TO sta
fion justifying fine clothes and minicry Of ue
ners-appearing 20 exactly meet her peculiar qualfca
fious NJ. j. K. Mortimer who also warmly re-
ceyed gave as the CAeraiier de Y6yee ncater and
more elegant piece of light comedy acting than New
York audiences are accustomed TO enjoy. The success
of The Comca Countess" was not less than that Of
.s'Niriam's Crime" Both pieces will be repeated
every evening this week.
For tie y. y ribune.