New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-26
TheatePs, sc.
THR RIVALS. AT wALLACK's.

auce Of the present season. excepting perbapssthat OF
Hamlet by Mr.. Booth has been so interesting, so adj
mirable. nearly perfect this one. The comedy
neatly put upon the stage, and almost every char
acter in 1t acted to satisfy the most e1acting
demands Of critical taste. greater contrast could
not well be imagined than that which exists between
Henry Drpbar-now the stock piece at this theater
and this same delightful comedy of The Rivals" 1t
| is, moreover, significant contrast. 1t points d.
rectly and distinctly at tho weakness OF modern
dramatic literature. and at " the cause Of
this defect" Sheridan happened TO be a man
of intellect, Imagination and wit He knew
the world and he knew something about human
nature. Moreover. he knew how to write. In these
respects he had largely the advantage Of most of
individuals who nowadays. daJble in the drama.
There is very great difference between Sheridan and
Tom Taylor and still greater difference between
Sheridan and Mr. De Walden. The author Of 1.-The
Rivals" was actually able to construct scene which
should not violate probability; to carry number OF
characters through fvea act drama without merging
them in one another allowing single one Of them to
lose its perfect identity; and to write dialogue which
should be at once characteristic and brilliant germane to
the plot and delightful to the listener That why his
comedies live and are always welcome and successful
on the stage. despite their occasional blemshes OF
artifce and indelicacy. The performance OF The
Rivals" at waack's Theater on Wednesday evening
carried this lesson strongly home to the apprecia
tive mind; and but hope that it was intelligent
ly witnessed by those persons-cIitics and others
whose tender sensibes have recently been lacerated
by the stridest patbos Of Lucille Western or whose
vivid magnatiOns have been stricken with ecstasy at
sight of the corpse Of Henry Dunbar. There appears
to be notion Just prevalent that The only true
dramatic art Is that which deals with murder. bigamy
adultery thunder lightning and red fire. and that the
public is utterly unable to appreciate anything other
than theatrical e1pedients which aid to administer
strong shocks 10 physical sensibility Mr.. Walack
Is TO be congratulated on having suggested the
obvioBs rebuke Of such folly by bis admirable
production Of 1.-THE Rivals" Here 10 comedy which
interests the mind in aove-sory that is piQuant with
out being indicate; delights the fancy BY pictures Of
domestic society," in another and more snowy age than
ours; deneates several characters which intensely
amasing satirses folly; rebukes the fault Of
idle distrust and jealousy in love: charms the Guilt
waited taste by dialogue that is both witty and sensible
and keeps the spectator in state Of peasurabe mental
excitement from its first TO its last And this
comedy is well performed by company Of intelligent
ladies' and gentlemen. Such spectacle say. ought
to teach lesson Of great practical valne. 1t is mpos
sbe to speak too cordially Of this performance. From
beginning to end, nothing tagged Mr.. Robin
appearing as Captain Absolute. revealed anew
that gentle dignity Of mind. aud delicate appre-
citation Of sentiment and humor and that graceful pre-
csion Of STYLE which him popularity here, at the
outset Of his American Mr.. Fisher, in Bob
Acres manifested delicious humor and portrayed the
jovia good.nstured coward. to absolute perfection.
That coarse old brute Sir Sampson Legend, emerging
from Congreves Love for Love-" partially reappesrs
In this comedy, but is toned down q good DEAL and
made much more agreeable old fellow. Mr.. Mark
Smith personated this character with the intuition Of
an artist and the skill Of scholar in his profession
Yet we think that the grossness Of Sir Anthony |
might be abated. without injury to his dram.
attic effect. And here 1t occurs to US TO note
that there is an iDdecate nuson in Bob Acress let
ter, which is only enjoyed by "the groundngs" and
which, therefore ought to be cut out Passing to the
other performances word Of cordial praise is due to
Miss Henrques for the modesty and simple dignity Of
her Julia and 10 Mrs Seton for her clever porrayalo
guleess craft 10 the little part Of Lncy. Miss Cannon
IL exactly fitted to the character Of Lydia Langush
and her varying moods of simple Joy, Of silly senti-
mentality and of grlish petuance attracted the hear
lest applause Tie same tribute greeted Mrs Vernons
Mrs Malaprop, a character in which an actress can
easily take the fatal step from comedy TO
farce but which Mrs. Vernon makes es natural
as il is amusing. Mr.. Young and Mr. Holland, appear.
ing as Tag and David. presented excellent miniature
sketches Of the town and the country servant. The
part Of Sir Lucius OTrigger customariy acted here
by Mr. Norton. was, on this occasion-owing to the
illness Of the latter gentleman-underakeD. at very
short notice and respectfully carried through, by MI
T. q. Williamson. The Jealous Falkland was enacted
by Mr. Rlnggoid. As WHOLE we have rarely seen
finer performance than that Of Wednesday night. or
one more heartily enoyed by the audiences aud we are
clad 10 see that il is al uouneed for repetition on Mon
day evening" Tonight and tomorrow night. Henry
Duubar" Bouccausps /" Irish Heiress" is In prepare
ton.
WOODS THBATER.
Mr.. De Walden's Balloon Wedding" has
been withdrawn, and has fiven pace to "Toodles,"
with Mr. Chsnfrau in the leading part. The same ex
cellent actor nightly appears JerIy Clip, and gives
bis capal limitations Of eminent actors Tonight and
night will be the last Of The Hanlon Broth
FRS at this thester and Of tie Fairy Fountains which
latter, by the way ia really dazzling spectacle Next
week m, viii be produced, under the superin-
tendence of its author Mr.. Baker.
WINTER GARDEN
Mr.. Booths PRESERVATION of Ruy Bias was
Witnessed by a very large ard select audience on Wed
ucsday It will 10 again given tomorrow evening.
Hamlet" II we be permitted the irreverence, is
now on his last legs. He will appear tonight however,
and again on Monday end Tuesday.
MISS RUsHToY's THBATER.
The programme for the present week at this
establishment includes the Day After The Wedding
end " The Prisoner Of War" The promised musical
bureque Of Arrshna Pogue win he brought out on
Monday next. when also another Of The old comedies
will be presented