New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-24
THE DRAMA.
TIE rr.orENING OF wALLAcK's TntAIkE.

TIE RF-oPENIYG or wALLACK's TnEAIkE.
In the annual re-Opening of Nalacks Thea
ter the lovers Of the legitimate drama enjoy and ce!o
brae the most important event OF the theatrical year.
for theater stands foremost among tho theates m
the United States. the irOs cfity Hnd the honor OF
which are based upon earnesi, consistent, and unde
WAITING dcyOtmg to the ant OF acting. Naturally there
fore tho annual reopenng never fails 10 assemble
very large audience OF refined and cultivated people
Such an audience together last night greet Mr. les
ter Wanc at beginning OF new theatrical season n
found tho theaer clean. bright flesh and chrcrin and
IL euioyed and applauded OF the best dramatic per
formances that have been given IN Ncwl OK for many
day Tie pieces presented "Simon Bernard" and
"Dearer Than Life"-both and both good, The
former ia one-aot piece, OF mingled romantic nuu
domestic character. The latter IL thrce-aet DRAMA
essentially and entirely domestic "Snoh bernard' was
written by Mr. Watts Phillips "Dcacr than Lie was
written by Mr.. Henry j. Byron. Being harmonious IN
character and neat and finished in c0ustTucon these
niec,s constitute a remarkably symmetrical entertain
ment BY this virtue OF symmetry, they command the
approval OF good taste and as they appeal directly and
powerfully to finer feelings In human nature, they
win tho sympathy OF the heart not less than the app
baton OF the intellect There are plays far superior to
these I'm grasp and In treatment Of passions shades OF
character and social But these pieces have
the rare and delicious merit OF smpciyi ana OF the
KIND they may Justly be described as excellent "Deaer
Than Life" tho most important OF the TWO was INST pro-
duccd Liverpool In November, 1901 ana iltefWaiu III
January Of the present year. WAS brought ont ut the
oucens Theater In London IL had signal success ia
mat ty and its will doubtless be repeated In
tbs The relevancy OF it's title Is seen IN the fact that
m story relates to several persons who are "dcarer than
ufe" fo ono another That story II almost bnndru III
s ,loiuness and lack OF ncdent-hetclh tc'lyins ts
alliance with real life. good, honest supplemented
man striving shield his wife from misery, hy bClis
, burden OF their beloved boys errors vices, ana re-
nutod crimes and therein personlfJg very high deh!
~ s.lfacrncethat is the central figure aud that Is te
central ldea IN the drama. OF the sautary influence OF
s,c, an idea no word need be SAID OF us pers0nlhNd
op we should state that Michael Garner ls not more
coodv Int true man. and one OF odd, racy, havOrous
No lack OF zest therefore, mars tho ehcct ol
M bunle but not less noble berOisn. Ills blunt man
,crs mis- blu6 goodnature, his unHnected courtesy no
reot tenderness Of beartlateDt under rough surface
-, pouchalance- his occasional uncomfortable out
hrrts of manly love and grief were gwen with delight
tl trutbf,luess and sincerity by Mr. John Gilbert inc
original representative Of ehae! Gdr" u 'h' coD''
ma Mr. l. L. Tooe was. in England.
or,o frat shall DO last. "SimOn Bernard II gem oi
,,.,co of character and OF touching enthusiasm. ~
ter c,ystallizes a story than tells one S"oh Dr'""
a., uoor old gardener, who has been brave ana non
,od oh Guard under Napoleon ho mas son Ni'V
,ves the niece OF a wealthy grocer The purpose OF "o
,,.ce ia to contrast the fine, brave noble ch"'""
a. NJ the natural gentleman WIN u|' VI
no sordd respectable moucy'gruh"fi ana '"'"
| ,,,st IA very finely made. Mt James w NaIlach az
| ,,,ol IA Simon and the character I" es"hlI'"S
Ill, "a, stirit grounded deep PASSIONATE emotions
"a ,teturesoue Iva cxtcmals, We nced hot say ''' ''
su,ts him perfectly, A. the burden VI 'uo aosilS Z"