New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-12
:. msnvy D.nAar, o, walIack's Thesier.

" nsnvy DanAar" NJ Wallaek's Theaaer.
IT 10 certainly true, as stated by the Ole
sdaee that whatever is worth doing at all is worth do
ing we'll But 1t is that whatever happens to be
done wen ia therefore worth doing. Thsis the principal
moral that we draw from the representation OF Henry
Dunbar which was witnessed on Wednesday n>gh'
st wallscks Thester, by very large audience oi In
tereued spectators. The play was produced Win ap
vropriate and in particulars strkingy picturesque
scenery and was excellentiy acted in almost every
part. But neither beauty of scenic accessories DOT
felicity Of dramatic art Dpart genuine ana per
unanent value to play that is thin in substance and
cpbemeral in character. Such piece Is Henry Dun
bar "a tragic meo-drama which recounts on utterly
jmprobable story and which has no inherent power
beyond the capacity of exciting and surprising the be-
holder who seee IL for the first time. 1t is based, as
our readers have been advised one OF the novels OF
Miss Braddon writer who Is mistress Of style
and who possesses remarkable skill III the cohsuue
ton Of plots which respect everything but eonerIe!
and probability. In the particular work wmcn .ne
eminent Mr.. Tom Taylor has made the basis oi HIS
drama she hit upon the novel expedient Oh making ono
man murder another and then assume the name an l
character of his victim, to be thereafter
pursued and hunted down by his own; daughter.
Mr. Taylor has reproduced this extraordinary eompea
tion Of personal relations in clevery constructed ana
neatly written five act play which, as played al Ill
lacks may be followed to its close with much the same
motive and interest that lead sometimes 10 read
through worthless novel, just TO see how IL VIII tu'n
out-anG with equal profit In the first act we pcco''
,eoaipted with the fact that Joseph Wimot, aiies
Wentworth. has killed Henry Dunbar ana mas assunou
lint name and taken possession of the dead mans
and ~ lir1 we
morse of the murderer and the unrelenting pursuit
Which is instituted and kept up by his daughter Mar
osret Wilmot. Who thinking that Henry Dunbar is
her fathers murderer is determined TO confront that IN
aividual and charge him with the crime. For iong
time he eludes her. but u maely at dead OF night she
comes in at window Of bis house turns up Inc gas ac
costs him. and recognizes her sire. The situation is
finely devised with a view 10 dramatic elect, ana al
tords ample opportunity for emotional acting ana
tabeau The fourth and fifth acts are devoted 10 eA
planning that Wilmct's crime was what the law cals
nansaugbter and not murder. and TO the illustration
ss clever but finally futile efforts to save her
father from the pursuing miDons OF the law Jus US
the bloodhonnds" who are Lon his track, come up
with him. however the unfortunate old man gives up
the ghost--and so end the woes and the horrors oi
Henry Dunbar" This story we say, e1cites the In
,ginaton while it is being told, and produces what Is
commonly described as sensation" But 1t involves
10 character depicts probable phase oi hie' s'nu
a,es no ideal, teaches lesson. whether OF wordiy
visdom of morals or Of art; and is thus, wholly and
merely an ephemeral sensation play. Let us not omit
20 saw though that among plays of this class. must
take high rank. Its topic if horrible, is Lot disgust
ing There is no adultery in it, nor any whining over
feminine infdeli.y and contrition. Moreover. aside
bom the horror there is in 1t flavor of pathos arising
. of that feeling which Is.
perhaps the purest and most beautiful that is pos
.ibe to human naurea daughters love for her father
This is not the prominent quality Of the drama. how
belt and therefore Henry Dunbar cannot come up TO
iodyment Oh this excellence Murder remorse, peril,
fear deaththese are its elements. corpse is brought
upon the stage at the end of the first ac and another
one is seen there when the curtain falls thus the ehar
acter Of the play cannot be said to be left In doubt ILat
such a piece should be produced at the hrst
iheoter in the United States, is but another proof
Of the prevalence Of the conviction THAT public taste
prefers urd sensation rather than the marble purity Of
classic art eventhe uxwiant embroidery Of elegant
srtace Perhaps that theory is wellgIounded but we
doubt it, The present hOwbeit is not the occasion ior
discussing question. so abstract and so tedious
Thc acting OF the principal. and, indeed Of MI the
characters. merits cordial praise. Mr. Wallack, as
Henry Dunbar gives evidence Of his powerful im
agnation and quick sensibilty Of nature Miss lien
rques as Margaret. manifess all her usual grace ana
far more than her usual earnestness Her pa'hos' H.
need sometimes comes tardly of, but it is not 100
uch TO say that, at certain points, her acting is posi-
lively powerful She bas never been seen TO better ad-
vantage than in the part of Margaret Wilmot An IN
centa thread In the stoSy of the piece affords preeI
Tor fue bit of eccentric comedy, for Ar. Charles
Fisher who as the Major with numerous aliases sheds
an atmosphere Of mirth over the somber waste OF
tragic events, and eyiEces that humor and polished
srt which have ranked him with the good comedians OF
our tDe The cast also introduces Miss Cannon, Miss
Burke Mr.. Young, Mr.. Holland, Mr.. Norton, and MIR.
Rnggold Henry Dunbar will be acted tonight and
tomorrow night The Irish HeiIess' and The III
Gals" are in preparation.