New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-24
THE DRAMA.


To the successful production of "Frou
Frou" at the Fifth Avenue Theaer. We have already
referred The subject. however, merits particular
remark than We have yet been able upon 1t,
and for that advert to 1t again. In adapting
"Frou-Frou" to the American stage. Mr.. Augustin
Daly-to whom We owe the American yersion-has dis.
carded the indicate features Of the original French
eodrsma. The piece, presented, touches upona
painful aud what repusive subject bat touches upon
sir delicate manner and TO good dramatic purpose.
Aese worthy quahues-delcaey of feeling and visor Of
dramatic efiect-eomUend II 10 critical approval. Be
eide IL is neatly constructed and smoothly written
Morally however-ke nearly all plays which Illustrate
HE evil consequences OF adultery-it abby and neon
sseuent 1t reaches no definite result The question
Which Internationally, Of course-is the old
O. befogged in 1.-THE Stranger" whether, in a
case OF matrimonial infdelity, the injured party
esght TO receive back the deserter, and
resew the shattered nuptia tie In consideration Of
repentance and extenuating circumstances And TO
question IL makes answer Its suggestion is that
tsre are exceptional Of weakness in human ma
tae aud that mercy and forgiveness celestial quail
u The value Of that lesson is commensurate with its
ssselty-and with the novelty of the only practical
uosal truth which "FrouFrou" has to announce that
married people ought TO be true 10 another. So they
easht But, things may be taken for granted The
assertion Of trusms though, Is not the real object Of
taese plays about adultery What they really aim at is
an medical parlance, the lachrymal gland Their pur
pose to depict pitiable aspects Of human experience
which may soften the spectator to tears This is good
baslness but not good art "FrouFrou" offers an apt
usira ion Of the whole tribe Of theatrical disqustons
oonnubia disaster Its teaching amounts TO nothing
It portraure Of distressing experience IL true and
Itouehng What we see in II Is a picture Of
l possible life, upon which we would rather
| not reason and which we do not greatly care
contemplate Individual preferences aside though,
q mo Ii "A
piece, in the form Mr. DAILY has given it, Fashionable
socety OF late years. under great variety OF corrupt
jnhuences has become a hotbed OF luxury and out Of
THAT feversh soil has grown an arthcaty OF fe char
aeter and manners,-especially among women-wbich
greatly needs rebuke and warning. That need may
chance to supplied to extent by this significant
drama which is put forward under alluring crcumstan
les Our meaning will be more clearly apprehended,
perhaps when say that FO Tou the heroine of this
1pees typfes the butterfly Of society, and that
the drama deneates her experience IN the married state
IN some respects Frot-FTou resembles David Copper
felds Dora She is equally frivolous and hayward but
shen lardent and mpusive. Pleasure is her life,
and OF that element she has existence The dra
natst has presented her experence-the fruit OF her
Town character reactng upon crcumstances-in five pic
fures In the first her betrothed, by OF her
sstsr's influence, to o whom that sister loves,
fand To whose lifelong companionship she is ut
Hfny unhtted- In the second her q
wife and mother, negiectfu OF her household and her
tenna unchangeo In temperament. innocent but VAN
ana selfish Her husband loves her dearly.
out he misses wes needed sympathy with his serious
InDuon' care and toll Here the sister reappears and
tatthe wifes own instance is installed a. the feminine
Irr Of home affairs. In the third picture we ace FINN,
t too late aroused, strive vainy 10 reass,,,a tho
vifes position and power in her husbands bouse and
heart child she would be- and only as a child viii hc
now regard her-a pretty, merry. ghthearted
ksimpeton This maddens her impulsiYe brain ana An.
1nost uniusy upbrads and denounces her really good
Bsstsr, and then runs away with paramour. In the
foarh picture we see her in the midst OF her miserable
ihquty In the fifth and last behold her DEATH Each
of these pictures occupies act OF the drama each
Is strongly dramatic. This is the beauty OF the play
mat It tells its story by series OF situations
and hot merely by talk. Those situations re-
eeive really able treatment at the hands Of Mr.
Days dramatic company, and the play has been put
the stage with every needfu scenic appliance and
eaonment Opportunity for good scenery Is especially
aoded in the fourth act which passes in the garden OF
'enean palace, delineated In mood OF subtle sympa
tay With the poetry Of landscape and the accessories OF
i0nance by Mr.. James Roberts. Opportunity for good
A'ng occurs throughout the piece. The powerful emo
scenes those which depict the parting between
two sisters the meeting OF the husband with his
Esay wife, and FrOu,Erous death. Miss Agnes Ethel
sorates FrOttFrou, Miss Kate Newton is Louise, her
'ef' Mr. George Clark plays Henri Sdr0rys, her hus
ma These characters could scarcely have been com
L''ed 10 litter representatives. Miss Ethel, IL Is
iNw' lacks emotional strength, aud Miss HewtOn's
T~senation would DC the betterA for more mild.