New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-03-27
THE DRAMA.
MP. DE MA1DEN's JOE.

MR.. DE WAIDENS JOE.
A new play, entitled "Joe,' from the pen OF
Mr. T. B. De Walden, the veteran dramatist mas been
brought out at the Broadway Theater. Mr. De Walden,
whose Muse is more fertile than scrupuous, has written
more than hundred plays; and is matter OF common
knowledge that the rabbit attaches no particular i'm
portance to offspring The announcement, therefore, OF
new blast from this very old hand at the dramatic bel
lows is not calculated to awaken tremendous excite
ment. But, while tins prolific writer has produced some
bad plays and some Indifferent ones-like Brnmmel has
made his failures" and like DOgbeuy has had his
closes he has also produced some good pieces, in
stnet with the moving spirit Of the age and well supplied
with the elements Of dramatic nterest-pot character
incident elimination thought, wit, sentiment and stage
effect His last work. "JOe" contains some OF the best
dialogue that he has written and tells an interesting
story about money and love- 1t is partly comedy and
partly farce II comprised in four acts and It's action
is carried by twelve characters, four Of whom are
personated by one player-Mr Chanfrau. Only three
sets Of scenery required for the presentation OF the
piece-a cottage interior and two interiors in a city
house. The is laid in NewYork Several passages
in the dialogue are peppered with the cayenne
Of local allusions-a cOndiment much relshed by the
gallery but dsaeeaOle TO persons OF refined taste
The story as already stated, is interesting, although
there little freshness in its conception and although
the method Of its development is lacking smoothness
evil spirit In the shape OF an old. hypocrtca swind
ling lawyer, named Creeper Fdw-payed with remark
able vgor and truthfuness by Mr. Charles Haes seen
to be intriguing with view 10 defraud young lady OF
property willed TO her by deceased friend. good
spirit under several names and surprisingly gifted with
the actors faculty Is to be thwartng him. step by
step MI Chanfrau persOnates this good genius and,
in the course Of the performance he plays Yankee
deaf decrepd old man. Dutchman, and young Amcrl
gentleman. His Yankee, OF course is excellent but
his best acting is done the old the makeup being
peTfectexcept that the hands scarcely old enough
Of hahn
thorough, accurate and very humorous 1t will be
that the central idea OF the piece the assumption by its
hero Of various DISCUSSES under cover OF which lie may
entrap and defeat malignant hypocrtcal rascalty This
is scheme but 1t is good one, and that may
be followed with interest throughout the four acts OF Mr.
De Walden's Joe" Some exaggeTatiOn and improba-
biity in the matter both Of persons and incidents must
however be tolerated by the critical spectator who will
that Mr.. De Walden's analysis OF character IL
generally sketcby and sometimes good deal mixed"
One Of his clearest pieces OF painting Is EdH ffd
heartles young Of fashion, personaed faithfully
and with notable quiet grace by Miss Isabella Freeman
The heroine rather vague and weak character is care
fully and earnestly played by Miss Kate Newton, whose
performance however, would be rendered more symmet
rcal and agreeable by repOse OF manner. WOmany
dignity does about thorns and rapartee loses
all its rghtul point when the manner OF its speaker
intimate that the word is not unlikely TO be fol
lowed by the blow OF the minor parts there is
sion for particular mention. They are: Miss Melinda
Aspdn, nervous fool played by Mrs. Gilbert DR.. POD
det0n physician who makes bluff impertinence do duty
for w.t. played by Mr. j. Moore; Br7th Bo0gs, garrrul
nondescrip presented, by Mr. G. T. Parsoe. jr
smart clown good clothes and Molly Mag9s who is all
chatter, calico, and Mysteries, played by Miss Ella
Turner Dr. POddietOn and BrittuS B0g0s by the way,
dmly reminiscent OF DR.. SdrGge and his impudent
medical assistant in John BrOugham's Playing with
Fire" Mr.. C. StOddart appears in the cast Wiley
Whirte broker very thiny drawn by the author aud
not Of much moment TO the piece. This character and
several Of the others somewhat farcca Indeed as
already intmated, Mr. De Walden been partlcu
lar to draw the line sharply between farce and comedy
Due allowance though Is to be made for the haste that
s perhaps, Indispensable from constant professional
writing for the Usage. Mr.. De Walden is sell
dom thorough as a writer, and he obviously
thinks OF sutDg the capces Of public taste than Of
constructing sound works Of dramatic art The mistake
is common one, but II is not the less mistake That
Indifferent dramas sometimes succeed proves little
nothing Their success is always a matter OF chance
whereas dramas that arc wholly good never fail when
properly presented Everybody likes Strawberries and
cream and everybody likes 10 good plays well acted
Had Mr.. De Walden forgotten the public, and made
Joe pure comedy-a picture Of manners, that u.s.
artisteay framed in perfectly sound, rational pleas
ing plot and made entertaining by sprghtly wit-he
would assuredly have won greater success than
possibly be attained by this rather hybrid production
But although the admixture Of farce has marred the
comedy and athough-from sketchy method OF develop
mentthe last two do fulfil striking promise
OF the first two, Joe" 10 q soundy meritoriOus
play. 1t affords scope for some really fine act
ing; il is generally genial in it's spirit; il ia
favored here and there with pungent wit and barring
all faults Of conspicuous in
third actand barring certain commonpaces Of Ian.
guage spoken that they verge upon coarseness it
truly entertaining. II has been very wen received by
good audiences at the Broadway Theater and 1t is
better piece than its predecessor, Sam" 1t deserves
happy fate The admirers Of excellent character por
traits DC, should improve the opportunity OF seeing
MT ChaDfTau in this piece, as in everything that he
plays for he consistently respects and stcadfasy abors
In the art OF acting, evincng remarkable natural tai
eDts-ong known and only known % be very highly
teeDedand the fruits Of thorough and ripe profession
al experience.
DRAMATIC NOTES.
Miss Kate Reynolds takes Benefit tonight
should crowd the house.
Miss Laurent has succeeded Miss Emile Rigl
Coifm6iEe, in Humpty Dumpty." She Is an expert
eDced and most agreeable COlumbne, Having in Eng
land, made this line OF business a speciality.