New-York tribune., 1868-03-19
THE DRAMA.
LIGHT AT LAST ,

A fve-act drama entitled Light at Last .
the work of Col Thomas Fitzgerald OF Philadelphia, was
acted a the NowYork Theater on Monday evening for
the first time IN this city large audience attended,
Notwithstanding the unpcasantncss Of the weatlcr-and
greeted play with frequent manifestations of Interest
and appreciation. Adequate reason for this verdict OF
public approval is apparent in the fact that Light at
Last abounds in striking theatrical effects. Just as tnr-
keys run after q rag does the multitude after
red fire. The piece also oommends itself 10 popular taste
by rea son Of the peculiar sontimentam Of It's story-a
sentimentalsn remotely kindred with that which ami
mates such plays The Stranger East Lynne and
Jessie McLane." Unhappy wives Will, probably, never
cease to be objects of lively interest 10 theatri-
cal audicnces-and tie heroine OF this piece
is an unhappy wife. For these reasons
the popular local 81 Light az Last" MAJ already
be regarded a certainty. Nor will the observer Of
pubc taste I've surprised 10 lean that II now holds Tie
stage in four Of the principal cities OF the Union First
produced at the Archst. Theafer in Philadelphia u
made an immediate hit; and IL is now beng acted in
New-York, Philadelphia, Chicago. and Boston. Whle
however. Light at Last emoodes conventional and
hackned elements Of fpOpulartyuch the rescue from
the burning house, the shadow on the easement the
courtroom scene. the sroing actor who is continually
quoting from his p,ay-books, aud the Irish peasant
rufaD-whO commits all manner Of mean wckcdnosr aud
finally laws perjury upon his soult s not destitute OF
positive literary aud dramatic merits II tells probable
coherent, and sufficiently interesting story IN simple
4
hues OF passion and pathOs with the gay tnts or lh
1t does no violation TO probability IN III somewhat
thin delineations Of character n aIIanges ana
presents several strong dralnauc SITUATIONS anr'
In one passage. II accomplishes truly graphic
analysis Of conflicting emotions. Us scene IS lad III
Ireland. Its action during Tour 9t he ag, l4ssth ,n
and abOu rural hotel near the Lake OF Killarney. IL
introduces sixteen characters beside the customary MOB
and soldery Of lrsh drama but i connuc, chltny cts
upon only five six of them. IL story illustrates the
veniencei depicts the depth aud strength oi Womans
love- and enfOrces the Obvous necessity OF rigid
thoroughnes in trials for human life In the first act,
Catherine Fd'rdrH yonng and bcautiu irsh Iady' y
shown 90 be living unhappiy with her hu.hid, an on,
violent jealous scottish fish squire she Il also shown
and whom her husband has wronecd IN matters OF
Tho chief feature Of the first act. The gentleman
urges elopement the lady declines, ana they part
in anguish Act Second depicts midnight interview
between loYer ana husband Inc oin't u',hAlis l.st
tuition Of his property. The latter iufurated endtavos
10 shoot him, but, by chance, shoots himself Al ths
climax the shadow OF human hgNIe J: seSn upon te
curtain Of the moon-lghtcd easement. Inc lover,
dramatic effect In the piece: Catherine fd'rd'en. now
widow H alone IN her paroT nspee,%ng % neT ,he
suddenly enters and impl0res hef 70 cohee,i hn ii
fron Shielding him; but love ultimately controls
her mind. and she gives him shelter w h'r pr'a9 hat
ing noise in the inner room, insists on learning us
An alteration ensues, az the erd ot whch the
fugitive suddenly comes forth Inc sister, VINO aso l3Ies
and suspects him, hereupon determines 10 gvc nm
mp the officers The widow then threatens 10 Dur an
unrecOrded codicil to her husband w ana 80 eae IN.
sister penniless bcggar The cQnfhcthg emotions oI
and widow, TINS and}Itu
and cOnrasted with subtle skl ana ied power ana Tue
end |. aaIle1 by al ellefye cimaX AGt fougth shows
the lovers escape by night .ap by PSie o. conceal nee
seen TO be danger. But tho faithful lover rshes Dack
puuges into the ames and by means oi ladder brings
her safely forth out the burning house Both are
then arrested FOR the alleged murder OF the squire In
the Fifth Act that old stage bore Trial scene ets every
I'm striving 10 swear away the lives of tho accused
whom he hates But strolhng player, VINO has
hitherto chiefly figured in the several capentercenes OF
The drama suddenly arrives; say that he Vas fTom Tie
halcony- without, accidental witness OF the sqneS
DEATH accounts Of course Tor the SHADOW OF the Case
ment and the lives Of ue prisoners at the bar
These latter thus Light at Last" and it may be
sumed that they lose unnecessary time In seeking
Temple and priest" 1t VIII at be seen that there
nothing strikngly original IN all THIS but II VIII also
be seen that the story is RATIONAL good OF ts KIND and
well worked ont. Herein is suggested the value Ol the
piece II takes rank with the better class of neodrama
As picture OF national manners II amounts 10 nothing
Its hmor Is weak Its style lacks the hrnness aud line
that only condemnation can supply Judlcons pfu
ing Of the language would certainly improve H. All quail
fcation aside, though the play has the critical
merit Of dealing ntegently with human nature and the
popular merit OF providing some eNcitlhg stage effects
Ii might mounted much better style than Is seen az
the NewYork Theaer where only the nIe ana e. the lri
the representative OF Catherine FdGtd1n; ana IN the
gentle OF the character she natural sweet win
requisite in the chief Of the third act she somewhat
lacks. Her true sphere undoubtedly is comedy TO be
sparkling and tender is easy for this actress as for
the early yocts TO be beautiful or the roses 10 redde IN
June. Catherine Fairld,on is not entirely harmonious
with her temperament; yet she plays u cxceedhgy we'll
with true wOmany dignity with touching earnestness,
geutlcucss
thing In woman" Mrs. Drew was ITS original repre-
sentative and is reputed to be remarkably able
N Mr. It. g. aEs H9S s'Ss. s o Sa' sas ES a @S the ons
actor which, both In character and In huInor very
iface as Robert Kg the lover OF Gaerine Mr. H.
Hawk, as the bad peasant Dennis ana MISS Cea Logan
invites no commentator. Mr.. Bonifaee tmay be stated
receives yOcerous applause for his gaantry, courage,
strength and accomplishing the Rescue at the
end Of act fourth The situation here really Of pos
tive DANGER and It warrants the remark tst realism
in affecting heart and mind by emotional and mental
pedents But the current in our seems 70 set away
respects sails with the current There he doubt
that 1t will have a safe and prosperous voyage.
LoTTAs ToPsY.
Miss Lotta has the distinction of being the
first dramatic "star" that has shone in Pixies Opera
House. She appeared there on Monday evening. as
Topsy In the drama Of Uncle Toms Cabin" and she
repeated the performance last night On both occasions
the lweather unpleasant and the house was but
partly lled Miss Lotta. however, has been received
with good deal OF favor in this new part Her Topsy
reproduces uncouth ruggedness and esh mischief OF
earnest study the mental condition no less than the
superficial personal traits and physical characteristics OF
the poor slave child II she does not entirely succeed in
merging her identity In that OF the black imp Of the
story she at least as near to doing so as posi-
utterly foreign physical conditions is more difficult than
the assumption Of characters Miss Lotta OF course
for comic dancing and for her pracced skill in hand
ling the banjo The songs that she introduces hovbet
not in harmony with the correct ideal OF 7opsU To
the multitude, though, they the springs OF mrth
and that Is their sufficient Justification In what |
ever garb she appears Miss Lotta is as yyacious
and sprghtly. as cunning and as attractive as |
pet kitten. No can help liking the |
spOrve merry innocent risky little creature, so full of
life and fun, and manifesty good and gentle In the
very torrent OF her mischief She was frequently and
warmly applauded on Monday night Uncle Toms |
Cabin produced with only partially correct scenery
and in the miscellaneous parts, was not Invariably well
played Several familiar names appeared IN the cast
Mr. James Dunn personated So Clair. Mrs Ekdridge ap
peared as Aunt Opheiid. Mr. Robert McWade enacted |
Phineds Fletcher Mr. W. N. Hamblin played Legree |
bright little child, Bella Green, distinguished herself