The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-16
A NJ u S e M e N rs.


night was the opening one at this theatre for the
fall and winter seasons. The attraction was GRIP
Van Winkle." with Mr.. Joseph Jefferson as the hero
OF the play. full house welcomed the celebrated
comedian to the scene Of his former tri-
umphs, and well did he deserve the welcome he
received. and the hearty paudits which rewarded
MS enorts were as genuine as they were de.
served. The Rip Van Wrinkle OF Mr. Jefferson is, as
Is well known, not the character drawn by the
genial and warm-hearted Irving, but creation OF
the dramatist, Boucicault and as such we are
favored with portraiture distinct In IT'S delinea
ton from the original OF the novelist OF Sunnyside
as II is possible for two characters to be- save IA
name they are altogether different TO any person
acquainted with the works OF the two writers
whose names are now 80 lnseparably connected with
the Jolly Dutchman OF the village OF Falling Waters
the difference ~ observable. But then Boucicault
could even II he desired make use OF the Iabors or
another. However, Mr.. Jefferson's Rp-that -, the
Bouclcault version, Is as fine IA piece Of acting
our stage can boast OF. Touched here and there
with those delicate little tints, the actor carries
with him from the rise to the fall OF the
curtain the feelings of the audience. In the
last act particularly. in the interview with his
daughter Meene. mis- acting was really fne full
OF pathos and true TO nature. And while bestowing
mat praise on MIR. Jefferson which his acting well
merits, we must not lose sight or the admirable
manner n which he is supported by the company
WIN wnlcn ne Is surrounded. Miss Mary Wells as
Gretchen, gave an excellent rendering OF the part
and the TWO children Ia the first act. Meenie Van
as coa en anS sSa played By
never found better exponents. Miss Bella
Pateman also acquitted herself In manner of which
everything worked to a charm; but II we might
make suggestion 1t would be that the stage mana
ger would see TO It that, Notwithstanding how
striking may be the effect Of having the ghOuls VINO
assemble in the Katskllls with the spirit OF Hendrix
Hudson, appear with darkened faces while their
hands possessed the natural hue Of living men, it
would be well, If only Tor the sake OF consistency
have both hands and faces the same color. Every
little counts, Mr.. Waller, In good makeup.
NIBLO's GARDEN-"THE DUKES MorrO.r-
The opening night at this popular establishment
was highly encouraging to the managers, Messrs.
Jarrett Palmer, as there was an immense audience
and good-natured withal. The house looked fresh
and handsome IN It's new dress and lighted up
splendidly. There YVES quiet artistic tone In the
coloriug which. with beng lightsome, was not OBJ
trustve. MIR. Lawrence Barrett was the star on the
occasion, his first appearance in six years In this
CITY, Since he played with Edwin Booth at the Win
ter Garden In 1864 he has travelled through the
states and paid short Visit to England The
role he selected for his temperance the metrop-
oils was sngulary unfortunate one, associated as
II must n eeds be with the names OF Wheatey and
Fechter by the hdbLneS OF NtblOs. MIR. Barrett has
clear, pleasant voice. good manly appearance and
thorough ease and command on the stage; but, as
in this IT is impossible to avoid comparisons
we must that he falls far OF his two prede.
cesS0r5 There was none OF the galan t, chlvarOus
bearing OF Wheatley or the impetuous earnestness
OF Fecnter In single scene OF his char
acterHation. He gave quiet, anc therefore,
ineffective, rendition OF part the very essence
OF which Is lire and etdi In the last two acts how
ever, he warmed up considerably and displayed
much OF the talent which has made him SO popular
In other cities. 1t Is perhaps natural Tor such
actor after long absence from the scene OF his
earlier trumphs, to be oath To "iet himself Oup on
his first appearance. and Mr. Barrett In subsequent
performances may prove not mid.mannered
Lagadere as last night. The Irish Soldier of For
tune" CarrlckferguS, had clever unctuOus repre-
sentative IN Mr. w. X. Floyd, although we missed In
tha iiiCk NJ GoI
country. Mr.. +. G. Bangs, deservedly popular and
telling actor made the part of the willy and
play. Madame Ponis played her Old character, the
Duchess de Nevers and played IL well. She is a
welcome addition to any company. Miss Louisa
Moore invested Blanche with al the grace, ladylike
demeanor and sympathetic tenderness characteristic
OF her. Miss Emma Cline who appeared Zliah, sang
hOrtd song In trained but rather uneven voice. and
made boisterous and Jolly zngara. The piece was
mounted in the most liberal manner both IN scenery
ana accessories. II will be gwen every night until
its successor, in which Mr. Barrett VIII appear, is
ready for representation.
WOODS MUS EUM.-This popular place OF amuse.
ment appears TO constantly grow stronger in the
affections OF an appreciative public. In addition
the usual attractions OF the menagere, the Bohe-
milan glass blowers. the automaton acrobat and the
miscellany OF the rare and stranger objects now on
exhibition, there are every day matinee and even
ing performances OF thrilling, sensation
drama, entitled ''The Ace OF Spadesn
in which the author, Mr.. Albert Aiken
sustains the part OF the principal hero. The scene
Is laid in New York. and presents very fair picture
OF our Kaleidoscope American society. A wealthy
Fifth avenue millionaire, representative news
boy, precocous villain named English Bill' and
q funny villain rejoicing in the sobrtQuet of 'sCurly
Rocks together with several other common types
OF everyday Gotham life, figure on tho
stage In striking but not unnatural POSI-
tions The piece filed with "hitsu which,
even though sometimes just shade hackneyed
and trte, simply attain the end aimed at and bring
the house. the galleries especially, In thunder.
GUS applause. Some portions of the dialogue, how
ever, are far above the usual standard Of dramatic
work at the minor theatres, and would bear trans
ferral TO more critical arena. Miss Theresa
Wood acts the part of Essie Troy the riendless and
ill-used girl, with great spirit and AMI
nation Mr. Barnes, too, Shorty the
Newsboy, displays considerable talent as
low comedian. And MIR. James Whitehead, tho
"Dead Life" although he has certainly to sustain
the most arduOus and difficult part III the piece ana
one which t is by no means easy TO render effective
with simply natural acting never strays into afec-
taon stllted rantng but gives full force TO
his part by plain. earnest acting, or mean order
OF excellence.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.