New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-04-03
TIE DRAMA.
"urNrFp DowN' AT wM1Acn's ruGArEn.

HUNTED DOWN. AT WAILACKs THEATER.
Mr.. Bouccaut's drama. entitled Hunted Down
or The Two Lives Of Mary Leigh one of his recent
compostions-was acted last evening at Wallack's
Thcater for the FIRST time in America The story of
this play is of a simple, domestic character. 1t is
that Of a woman accidenty and innocently involved
in bgamy. Told in bare prose- ii Is this: Mary
Leigh, when only sixteen years old, was married 10
gambler, who, however left her at the church door
and went his way. This marriage was devised with
the intent that her dover should pay one OF the gam
bling debts of the brides father. Her husband, OF
course, took the money Time passed, and news OF
his decease was brought 10 her; he said to have
been drowned. Mary kept the secret, and in good
faith subsequently, married John Leigh, an artist.
More time passed, and her first husband suddenly
reappeared- case, in fact, OF Pdtcoddg ana
Scutfte Reappearing. this individual proceeded
to claim her as his wife. Thus she was hunted
down" After violent struggle against these
cruel circumstances, Mary determined to leave her
husband and children, and thus save them from SUCH
disgrace her presence might be supposed 70 entail
At the last sad moment, though. 1T turned out that
the gambler was already husband when ne iea
Mary to the altar-that fact he was both biganlst
and swndler. His real wife OPPORTUNITY arrived ana
dilemma. That story is slight, and-as set in the
framework of the drama-so peIspicu0us from tne
first, that the piece which illustrates II cannot pe
then, of forestalling any readers pleasure
by thus skctching the scope of the story.
Mr. Boucicault has aimed to interest tne
mind. mainly by delineation of character put also
by strong appeal TO dramatic sympathy ana
sensbihty. His success is complete. thirteen
are ns Se&e dha ,csi
characters. The most interesting u that OF mary
Leigh. In tins particularly " fast age sweet,
gentle pure, loving, and highminded woman Is not
the popular beau ideal of what is charming. ut is
Becky Sharp and not poor little Amelid, who leads
captive General Tufts and the noble Marquis Of Sfenel
But goodness is not tradition for all that nor
all hearts dead to the charms of simplicity or the
souows of innocence. Mary Leigh may not WIN the
sympathy of the daS n9 0f s ehS
houses but she is. for all that, lovely character
and one that may be studied with honest pleasure
and real benefit in Mr.. Boucicaplts drama The
dranatist we should say, is indebted to one OF the
n0vclsts for the material whereof his piece Is com
posed. He has worked them up with his customary
skill The play is comprised III three acts which are
neat compact and telling. The language; too Is APP
propriate clear and warm with both the Hush OF
poetry and the path0s of genuine eloquence Real
grief finds utternnce III fitting words, wit II not
wrappcd up i'm p .lysylables, and tippancy talks IN
its natural dialect Altogether, though not ranking
with dramas of great orlglna! excellence hunted
Down is sound good play OF the domestic SCHOOL
and one that will long maintain its place upon the
stage Its spirit high and noble, ITS sentiment Is del-
cate and tender. IL abounds III gems OF GOOD wiring
The most touching scene perhaps. is the second IN
the second act, in which John Logh plays with ms
children Just before the news of his trouble is
brought 10 him-trOublc which he meets and bears
and OveTcOmcs like gentleman. me writing
thrOu shout this il as line as anything III the
modern drama Another very touching scene Is that
with which the play closes. Nd,ys attempted rare
well 10 her children shows profound knowledge Oh
true pathos But the best stroke of art m the drama
il poor CIdrds Yes" as she follows the bad man
whom she loves. Does woman, indeed, love soI III
s beautiful To think that such devotion remains ON
earth. A.
chief parts were personated 10y Mr. Walter Lacy ana
Miss Herbert and IL Is said that they were acted WIN
great pahos AZ Naiiacks J9N. LeW y Pi ~, ~
Mr. Frederick Robinson and Mary Ldgh by MISS
IIenriques. The east further includes Mr.. charles
Fisher ~ RdTdon SCUddmOrcth the gambler Miss Fanny
Morant ~ Lady GichodrTig Mrs Jennings rs cara,
and Mrs SETON as Mrs bolton Jones IL is said that
Mr. Boucicault had Mr.. Fisher IN his minds eye
when lac wrote the part of John Ldgh, ana tlere Is
no doubt but he would have PLAYED u peIlcc1y VIII
Ii was interpreted with uncommon sympathy ana
sweetness and natural feeling 10y MIR. Robinson. We
could wish that Miss llenriques had acted hdIy WIN
deeper aud stronger emotion, particularly III inc lSl
act vet we can praise her PRESERVATION Tor ltS siinpe
grace. easy dignity. and gcntlcnesS OF sentiment.
Mrs Jennings all refinement ana tender elnOtloh
i'm the difficult part of Clara. But we have not space
10 say much of the acting just now. The play was
well pnt upon the stage-the woodland scenery. IN
particular. being extremely picturesque. Inc use
of the cacium-lignt. however III two places III
the second act seems 10 Us To be mistake; III hurts
"A fine dramatic effect, IN both cases. when ue
heart is Touched what need of getting up arihclal
stage pictures. Machinery Is good III It's way, hut
one may sometimes tower sublimely above the stage
carpenter. The constructive machinery Oh ms ms
We believe that due allowance for human weak
ness, ignorance and that kind of seiiSlblllty which
is easily alarmed. will make all the eXpedients seem
natural aud the entire plot COHERENT Al all events.
the piece IN exceedingly touching To the emotions,
and it leaves the mind in glow of genial excite
ment. >, .,
performed last evening for the first time this season,
in a very effective manner