New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-28
THE

responsibility allows to pass over the countless
imperfections of Summer management without the
sharp criticism which many of them obviously de-
serve If such imperfectons were suffered to ap-
pear under the sanction of the usual authorities at
the different theaters they should not 80 easily es-
cape reproof. Under present circumstances We feel
it necessary only TO say that, with the exception Of
the entertainments afforded at Wallacks, by Mr.
Bryant, whose pleasant irish impersonations would
be welcome at any time, there is nothing now pre-
sented in New-York to warrant word Of compli-
ment, and much that is open TO censure. emitting
further allusion to current theatrical topics, may
observe that the beginning Of preparations for the
regular Winters work-which now occupies the
attention of managers gene-ally-suggests slight
retrospect of tho last years operations word of
comparison in regard to the systems pursued at
various theaters and an indication Of the probable
purposes of the season 10 come
At the outset we must admit the inspplicability
of tho word System TO the administration of any
of our New York theaters, with the single excep-
ton of Wallacks. If there be one characteristic
which has hitherto peculiarly distinguished them,
it is the utter absence Of practical system. Unsys-
tcmatic exhibitions Of questionable =" stars have
alternated With unsystematic experiments in inca
pablo 4" stocks" Accidental and ephemeTal merit
has occasionally displayed itself, but not, so fur as
we can remember, in consequence OF managerial cx-
ertions to that end. ii single handsome attempt
at honorable artistic Movement has been made,
are not fortunate enough TO be able to recall it.
Putting Wallacks Thester ont Of consideration, the
best aud most lboraly conducted establishment has
boon Niblos Garden. And yot Mr. Wheatcy's
methods of counting popular favor have been
vicious and dclusiye in the ranIscst degree
1t is true that he has layishod profuse cxpcn-
diture on scenery, dresses, and decorations, but
this has invariably been accompanied by needless
neglect of the nicer proprietios Of stage effect, and
often with entire disregard of the incompetence
Of actors who have been thrust into principal parts
Spectacular display is valuable only when it is used
a. judicious means to an artistic end; but, at
Niblos Garden, spectacular display has been the
chief almost the sole reliance Of tho mana cement
The gross unftncss Of the majority Of the stars,
no lcss than of tho supporting actors who have been
employed has long been notorious. The company
has of late been little better than rsbblc whose
dispersion the riot act il necessaIy-would fire.
quontiy have been an agreeable relief to the sens-
bic part Of the audiences. II has been mainly COM
posed Of gentlemen whose blissful ignorance Of the
propricties of costume sets history and geography
equally at defiance; who pcrpctuany wear their
hats excepting when ladies ART not on the stage,
and whose toruous writings among their parts Of
speech provo that the English language, 30 far a.
they ore concerned is dark and inscrutable laby-
ninth. the very portals Of which they have yet to
become familiar with. Rising above these. We t.
call the fanloccn figures Il set of "staTs" whose
brazen clangor appears to have had attractions for
q large mass Of the public. bat whose crude and
scnsoless exhibitions have reduced the thcat'r. in
the estimation of the discreet, TO lower nnk than
that heid by any Of the Bowery houses. We APP
prehend that tho mondacious extravaganza with
which tho pntcnsons Of these " sters" have been
pulled may partially account FOR the popular sup
port vouchsafcd 20 them. In that ease the deusion
cannot forever continue and the error will work its
own cure. We do not learn that Mr.. Whestey
meditstes any change of plan for the ncIt season
Hi, thes,er will BE- given over TO "s,ars Of every
grade, without question 10 their ability aud the
united glars of gaudy canvas and tnscled robes
will be relied upon to blind the public eye to all
artistic shortcomings.
Mrs John Woods administration at the Olympic
Theater has not revealed May prasewarthy quail
trs of management. Her company was too small
10 be effective. although il included fow actors OF
rcal merit The absence Of any settled policy aP-
pears 10 have been her rock ahead The season
was n succession of make shifts. Rapid changes Of
programme were resortcd TO- as each new endoavor
TO satisfy the public inclination failed But the
carelossness and want Of discipline which prevailed
rendered these efforts futile Such inperfecticn
| in the production of new pieces have seldom been
Witnessed at any other thoatcf. On " first nights"
the majority Of the actors were invariably Ignorant
OF their paris II MAS saie 20 assume that IN ovcry
now pcrsonafion sho ~ lcr,ook, Mrs. john Wood
herself would DO all asiray during tho first two or
three nights The voice of the prompter became
IA familiar to audiences as that Of any Of the per-
formers. There vas, furthermore, persistent
want Of hbcraty in tho nicer decorations and APP
pointinents Of tho stage. Occasional flashes al
scenic briDiancy suffered 10 appear but casual
extravaganza In this single direction IL by no
means synonymous with genuine enierprs". Ton
sid cradle approbatioa was expected by the olyhl-
pic management fR tho manner IN when
" Aladdin'its sw,n-song-was prodncod. Iho
fact is that Aladdin as piece OF spectacular
display, was almost contemplate. 1t had three "
orr good scenes, ard two or THREE rich dresses IN
other respects ii was misemby deficient. Aladdin
stands as the type Of most Of Mira Woods more
ambitious attempts There IL ore discredi'ao'e
particular in which these were all idcntcni-'hc
total disregard OF literary tas'c ard Judgment Vi