New-York tribune., 1870-10-18
THE DRAMA.
sFFBACH AS MATHILDE.

The chief dramatic novelty AMI, indeed, the
most important dramatic event Of last evening was the
appearance Of Madam scebach, for lie first time IN
America fin the character o. NGHEde-,rr performance
Of which has long been famous abroad, and we may ado
is destined speedily to become fully as famous mere
The Fourtceuth-st. Thcatcr, indeed was rot cfoWded
but there quito large audience present az coud
have been expected, Wow Of the fact that the Fair
for the benefit OF the German sufferers in the
European War also opened lat evening. As
soon, however, ns tho Germans realize
the positive greatness that Madam seebach displayed in
this character, they will-unless we greatly mistake
their pride IN a true natl nal aclevsment-crowd that
house. from turret TO foundation stone" And whether
they realize Il not feel assured that American
paygoers seeing type Of the highest best
that Is possible 81 dramatic art win t,o that IL IA
adequately and suitably appreciated. Shakespeare long
made happy reference to the fact that touch
OF naturc makes the whole world KIN " aud Il that touch
be rot given by Madam scobJch's porsonati0n Of Ma
nilde, then It was never given by any effort in the
art OF acting. No achievement is difficult than
that Of positive simplicity. common order Of mind
may sometimes bewitch tho popular understanding by
clever Of wetrcd trckery II requires the highest
ebity TO achieve great results by the simplest means
This has always been evident enough in terature The
heart Of the world has stirred iu response to tho
genius OF Goldsmith aud Burns. II IS not generally
made evident ON tie stage. The great sucecss Of Jtder
son, for example stands comparatively alone. But
Madam Scobach illustrates this truth, and exers this
order Of abity-4nd mover more graphically nor more
potenty than In AGHilde. Tie character IS that
could only be Interpreted by woman Of
pure, noble. and beautiful spirit. Tho part
looking at it theatrical uoGum-i5 one that only
could be made effective Ivy artist Of tho ofest ta.ent
and oi consummato culture. "Mathide" as drama,
has little plot and less aCtOnand 10 has literally no
element OF novel interest IL only strings together upon
an obvious thread Of natural sequence, few Of the most
nd tua fiovs
to Gcton. uGHNde Is a rich mans daughter who Is
beloved by apcor erst loves him In return and desires
TO become his WIFE Tho itch man repelS tie al4nce,
and forces his daughter TO choose beWixt father and
lover she chooses the latter and becomes his wife, and
IL diinhered and cast or by the former Thehusband
beloved encouraged and fostered by her-beeomos
succeesul and prosperous in hi art. Her father
deceiy I'd and betrayed by lis son. loses all and becomes
q ruined man. Chance brings him to tAe daughter
auJ-libe COrdca Of old-she alone proves true 1hen
hog husband forces upon her the terrible con
nct II love and duty. IL s the parent who poor
aud broAendOwn aud in sore need OF 0ye-iHd u % 10
the parent that the reasOued woman turns once Eofe
making a sacrifice, Uut low rs before, making that
sacrifice in accordance with the holieat dictates
Of right We need dwell upon the absolute simplicity
OF al the situations indicated IN this story They come
In direct order and not III the least orcedenu the
actress PersODatng AIAide, is tined by the necessity
Of giving expression TO the great cardinal emo
L
utaral perfection-naLing the duo allowance
FOR that disparity, eAstant though triiing, between
maturity end youth She expressed ha love 90 AS 70
melt every parental hgarf, and sLc manifested WcHaAs
p5s0u-exaited ~ celestial afies iOa-so - TO reveal
with almost painful natIralsss, tho Gcpths OF loving
The CToEuS situations Of the piece are tnose
at tle ends OF Gcts second and fourth Chere
are but four acts IN the drama, fcr which
but three scenes set and IA which only
five characters IHtrodGccdl, wherein AGtA'1S
las to choose between father and lover and father and
husband To these Madam seebach proved more than |
equal There were Humberless delicate little points IN
her action There was the feeling which beongs to per
fees with character and deepest -y1npathy
with emotional experiences, throughout the de- !
Iue4ton. Al tie end " each ect AL1iam |
steD.ch was called before the curtain, and |
az the END OF the play. the tears and the Iaudis Oh her
auditors bore eloquent tribute 20 the magnetic charm Of
one u the loyelest pieces Of acting seen On any
stage Madam soebach fortunate, lot n add In tue
efficient and excellent cooperation or MI Poetsch,
Nine. GraLn. Alr. Nul.er and MY. DombrOwsd LtndHer,
played by Mr. Mailer OF the neatest bits ~
unrrotentous acting we have chancod u see and Mr..
Paetsoh ozhbi ed his genuine knowledge Of human
nature and his careful art, in tie deliueston o. tho
father The play put on tho stage with more than
usual care little less eloqueEoe the part of the
prompter is desiraJle-"MatLilde" will be repeated
this evening. and ought 10 be actedeyery evening during
Madam soobacLs eusagcmeut
WOODS MUSEUM.
Mss Lydia Thompson, who has been acting,
after her fashion, for some time past in the provinces
reauD.ared last evening az Woods Museum, the scene
Of her first successes IN America witha heavy force Gf
ghyc4i troops in H. J. ByrOn's musical buriesque of
"Iurle" To treat tds extr,sva~ant medley seriously
would DC Ike preaching sermons 70 butterflies; bus
y'cwcd In the light of pleasant tryiaty II may be pro-
nounced delightful nonsense The troupe has received
somo pretty accessions, and the beauty, melody,
grace, and vivacity OF its members i'm
part charm 60 the absrdity which rendered
1t enioyabIe-aketo eddy youth and sober age. Folly,
we need1 say las it, moments with al. The house vas
tronscd, and the auditors were enthusiastic Pl4udis
and bouquets were ayisy showered the blondes. IN
return for every scrap OF and every ding at currens
f5.lles Some OF the hits fresh and happy -
"Lurne" nothvths andng its romantic tite and airy
music Is IN obsreper0us piece, repeie with sparkle and
froucs and We say of is dra&ti5 persona tha Ike
Bur1ss jolly beggars
"WI qlaTng ard With sughing
Tu-y -snei ant hel
WI jumping and iImPog
TIC Gcss sirJs9 FaIg