New-York tribune., 1870-09-16
THE DRAMA.
LIMA EDw1x,s rHEA1ER-opEx1NG NIGHT.
pany separate.

LIMA EDWINS THEATER-OPENING NIGHT.
Miss Lima Edwin's new theater, at No. 720
Broadway, was opened Monday night The
attendance was large The house was found TO be
pretty and cheerful JudiciOus taste had evidently
directed ornamentation, and had wisely ordered
liberal expenditure Of money Cleanliness and bright
ness everywhere prevailed The opening entertainment
consisted Of twoac piece called a Bird In the Hand
is worth Two the Bush and the Burlesque OF Black
Eyed Susan with reference 20 the former IL is difficult
70 speak with patience There may be worse plays but
gentle Fortune has thus far spared from contact with
them To say that this piece is stupid, prosy, tedious
pontess trte puere and ickeuing 20 sense and TASTE
Is 10 describe in the mdest terms that the subject in
spires 1t should have been represented at all 1t
certainly should never be repeated Tie acting that
gave it Illustration for the most part, worthy Of
the play Mr.. walter Grsdale, in the
part Of Roderiek PrdiserOrtly pumped upon
the audience 10 that degree that his hearers
became literally congested with decOrum Mr.. Edwin
Thorne made likewise unpleasant exhibition Of sill
ness and cOnceit. In fact, with the exception Of few
careful and appropriate bits Of acting by Miss Amelia
Harris and Miss Lille EllTdge, the representation
the worst kind OF Hzzle. We speak thus plainly with
respect 20 this matter in the hope that Miss Edwin will
AT once cOngn this piece 10 the shelf 1t one OF those
bad plays that sin dOuby. II Is not only stupid Itself
but II brings virtue and respecabity into contempt
Far too many people already Of opinion that good
ness is necessarily dulnessthat there be ginger
in the drama without flavor Of vice Such plays this
confirm the error. II Miss Edwin wishes 10 show the
public, at the outset Of her enterprize that her
tbeater is to be devoted TO select tasteful and refined
order OF entertanment-whch, doubtless Is her object
she can surely do so without dishing up Poor Richards
Maxims or the parable Of the prodgal SON Our impress
sion is that this theater ought 10 make specially
Of Farce with the best actors in that line
who can be procured In the country. But, II
Comedy be the chosen field there comedies that are
respectable and az the same time brilliant, and these
sbould have the preference. Likewise would be good
plan TO engage people who can act IN them-The
chief feature Of the opening night Of Miss Edwns Thea
ter was Of course the appearance Of Mr. Stuart Robson
as Captain CroSSree in the buresque. This personaon
has been seen in NewYok before and has been equally
admired and enjoyed. In Mr. RobsOns acting an intui.
tive and very perception Of the humor OF oomical
situations inspires free, spirited and particularly neat
method His makeup FOR Captain Crossree is marvel
OF fun and perfectly harmonious with the spirit Of the
performanee-growing out Of it, indeed-and tesfying
to the existence OF genuine instinct Of dramatic art
Mr.. Robson was cordially wecomedI and his repre-
sentaton awoke the deli GIFTED laughter Of the spectators
who had endured the sahara OF the comedy" for the
sake OF seeing this marine joker. Miss Edwin herself
appeared az Susan which character she contributed
the aurng attribute Of personal beauty and in which
she received tribute both OF applausei and Of
those spontaneous floral offerings which are
carefully prepared IN advance The burlesque
introduced also, Miss Emma Cline, as William, Miss
Lewis as Dolly MaHTOcer, Mr.. Harry Josephs Dame
Hatley Mr. c. ParslOe, jr as The ADMIRAL Mr. G. Jor-
dan r as Haiche and Mr.. Eugene Ebere, as Dog0rdss
There is so much fun in this excellent piece that II
would be enjoyable under almost any circumstances.
On this occasion presented If not brilliantly,
least In spirited And 1t give merry ending
70 an evening that had commenced in gloom Mss
Edwin gives notice that Miss Eliza Weathersby wiz
shortly appear this theater-a performer IN bur
lesoue we believe-from which fact infer that our
old friend Leg is 10 be more roted out Thus far
Miss Edwlns policy OF management seems uncertain.
She has pretty little theater, which she has opened
pdirently well The spirit Of her enterprise however
f. brave and daring and as such 1t appeals to sympathy
We vi,h IL success; and in order that IL may we
st the present attraction will be Immediately strength
eued.