New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-06
THE DRAMA.
CHARLES DILLON

nto of the latter part has several been warmly Iccog
ngcd and oxtocd these columns aud viii we think be
remembered among the best achievements IN dramatic AT that
have been witnessed here within the memory Of this generation
Mr. Dillon will play BpLe9or again during his present engage
en AT the Broadway Thcatcr but understand bis design
TO beand we arc glad that no has formed ito mako himself
known to the Hew.Yok public in the most important Of tho
great characters Shakespeare II has been our good
fortune TO see him in any part excepting Bpor. but bis
smplo naluraness and wonderful mastery d pNthos in the
exsc,,ng circumstances mountebank impressed
deeply with the CONVICTION that he is great actor that we
cannot but anticipate peculiar pleasure and satisfaction
in his Shaksperean performances At all events they cannot
fail to lc worthy OF sudonS attention DIT Dniohs PIolLsI
sona career been marked by sincere devotion 10 the noble
arr which he to Illustrate and by CONGREGATIONS ana
unhaggng study and labor The particulars that career
NAV chance interest theatrical readers and the present
MOI an inappropriate time iorsatng them Charles Dillon was
born Newcastle England in ls Hs father was an actor
and manager Of henter IN that place and+h mother was
an actress At the age OF heenacr acquiring rs good
education brief time would aliow-young il9n adopted
the profession OF the stage and undertook juvenile business
London theate Two years later no appeared In ballet anu
other minor parts at the Surrey Theatc then managed ny MI
Davidgc. Ills professional efforts here attracted
with the appreciation and encouragement OF 80 abe
experienced and Judicious an actor as .ne , t
en During te next two years he devoted much time 70 he
writing OF meo dramas One Of these pieces entitled ohh
Anderson My Jo"-aitcr Burnss famous song-Mas Phyn
with especial success lie also at TINS 1e ~ ie no st
cellane0usy to London publications Az .. ~
Britain Returning TO the eapnl ne opPca,ed ~ ~ s
attracted critical attention lie was en ehgas u' V
ACTOR and playwright His success thus far however had
failed to satisfy bis ambition Accordingly no delernmed 70
most and the highest professional reputation possible 70 an
actor in the provinces His first appearance IN pursuance Of nus
was signal and deobd From Manchester he proved
ed onward through all the important cities OF The United King
and faithfully performed Al the end of that time and at the age
OF years Mr. Dillon returned TO london anu I'apPseI
ne hSb se wss Thoroughly Successful by reason not
- diuaFV
The London press with one accord conceded his ripe
OF culture and his characteristic and powerful genius B
critic he was described the founder Of the natural and
coloQua school OF high art lie Is certainly one OF iis best
representatives No tragic actor that We can call to mind so
consistently natural simple in method and yet 80 Intense
in feeling unless il be Mr. Charles Kean In ls6l Mr. Dillon
visited the United States and i was then that we first
in Boston and in Philadelphia The country however
was then upon the dreadful verge OF Gnn war
and no actor could command especial attention In 1903 Mr.
Dillon California and played an engagement OF 100 con
nights at the Metropolitan Iheatcr in san Francisco
Thence he went Australia where he passed tho next two
wears Last he returned the United states and DO
has played engagements in many American cites Our
Niho Garden in May Of this year when " had run OF
two weeks and when The actor wsn.no to employ an un
Mr Dillon viii now appear under better auspces than ever
leading characters OF tho drama Tho heiier at which he will
PLAY OF tho ncatest and pcaanet houses In town The
dramatic season IL at peculiarly active brilliant and interest
ing pon All circumstances concur favor the actor and
shall be disappointed Indeed II he does not win IN large
popular applause critical attention and emnouco
In tho dramatic art.
"THR LONG STRIKE" AT THB OLYMPIC.
MFR. Bouccaut's new drama of 1.-THE Long Strike"
bids fair to hold the stage OF the Olympic Thel,c for some
time to come second view OF ts representation confirms us
in Judgment originally eIpcsscdihal while i'' merit Is
genuine and extraordinary It's defects very ser.ous We
NAV add that considering its authorship those defects are sur
prsing Whatever may be Mr. Boucicauts faults As drama
he has hitherto split upon the rock OF an'icmaH
The Long Strike he not only conducts good plot 70
weak ending but he dsapponts expectation ~ the development
principal and most impressive character The basis 81
his drama - Mrs GaskeAs novel OF HAiy barton Inht
story well known many readers and IL VIII not herr be
ehcarscd Indeed have special anpathy 70 ne practice
Of detailing plots Of dramas-"hch grheIah} S'ies "a.
reader and ocn depves him in advance Of the enjoyment
OF good pieces OF stage at For Tho purPoss o. cf'ii
state that the frsi Two act, A Boucca drama Illustrate
Strike Of factory operatives IN the Enghh NVo M'n
sc tells an interesting story Of love iad crime and perou
consequence Of crime Tie action 81 whch grows directly ol
o. the long strike II Is this story which engfo-se Ae 1Ies
OF the spectator That portion Of The piece indeed gheh re
ates directly TO the strike : not without as p1ae. .su
canoe TO employers and hbovTs ana = ho AeAhs il n
dramatic contrasts OF character but soon oooked and
forgotten IN the absorbing Interest ehcl,ed % VIZ S.
growing out Of H. murder = eommltteI "a M
Is wroBgf1lly accused and can only bc safei ~ "
Of missing witness the teessspS Is H. n,rr tba5
for securing that testimony Nothlns 'Dll ~ "a go
this state Of facts IL the dramatic arrangement ana man
Rss and moves The mind Prom Tie second
TO the second Of the fourth the % e drama
animating than words can easily descii stronger
scene than that IN Telegraph oceuhethe by reason OF
involved the theatrical effects enpycd-oea
ton Of the piece reached We now know precisely what V
follow and We therefore lind The tra scene tedious hsran
j. witnessed the effect Of anti climax Perfect acting "a OF me
parts might possibly make this last scene mre impressive Than
~ Predecessor doubt H. Tho experiment 10 j. amos
needless to say tried the Olympic The critical OBJ
server h moreover disappointed In Oh Nodi Leor5vd This
character at the h the mind and touches the heart
when age Is yruOus simple and honorable and suffers
Just y This pathOs Mr. Boncicault brings into play But
stronger IN It's development aud last dwndes %
emptiness and silence Mr. Charles Whenteigh Pfsonaes IL
tac that win the sympathy Of spontaneous tears and
merit he reward Of honest praise. II not the actors ial
that the character Ia disappointment Nj Bouccaut appears
10 have thought Of the Telegraph than Of anything
else and indeed II illustrates wildly than aught in u
BOuccaut his eminence In the literature Of the stage Yet bis
play wanting In deep study Of human nature IN deli
STYLE The first In act second wherein Reilly the l!sh
sailor renounce bis love for Jane the conversation between
scene OF the hlfu act wherein yW hge atseu anu 'lv
whole Of the companionshp ofJo and the oawye may be
theatrical skill Rely played ia London BY Mr. Bouccau
himself II Is part for an artist II demands exceeding ten
the quality Of true sefsaerifcc Mr. Mckee Rankin plays 1t
fcebly. The best acting in the piece is done By Mr.
II is a simple character bu, it genuine and winning Money
penny kind hearted old gentleman with quaint manners
and sensitive consdeatcncss for the feelings Of Others
denly blended Mr. Soddar inerpets this nature with per
feet accuracy II be well TO remark by the way that
Mr. Stoddar performances are always worthy OF the sudous
observation OF persons who regard acting art and not as
merely Of business lie does nothing careessy The
study and the evidences Of intellect and Of gentle
bty OF temperament visible In all bis persOnatons and
are notably evident in this We have only add that Miss
Newton enacts Jane LeaToyd with earnest emotion aud
winning grace that Mr. Vandenhof Is appropriately manly
simple and sincere as Jem SGre that Mr. Ward Is correct
and amusing Crdnsha0 the police officer that Mr. Becks
operates upon the telegraph II be "o the manner
born and that Mr. Grover has produced the play with several
by Hayes and Strong. The cabnscene by the
way illusion at all but Is really ridiculous 1.-THE
Strike will be acted evening ui another novelty
shall be required In London Il has with very
great success at the Lyceum neater
IMPORTANT THEATRICAL EVENTS.
Mr. Broughs buresque Of Perda has been produced 10
very eredabe manner at the NewYork TheateT and will be
paye for nights more together with the comic drama OF
tOd Phls Birthday" The play OF Grhbth Count will