The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-13
WALLACK'S THEATRE-FIRsT NIGHT OF
stJ0HN GARTH.D

aJohn Garth,n produced for the first time last
evening, was triumphant and enthusiastic sue
cess. This was all the more creditaple, since the
fame OF Brougham as playwright and OF Lester
Wallack as an actor attracted an audience such as
Few other names have OF late had power
10 draw together in New York. Indeed
the house was llled with as brilliant
fashionable and cultured an assemblage as that
when rallied to the support OF the opera on the
memorable nights OF "Faust" and the Duke We
have already sketched the plot Of the piece and can
only add that 1t "acted" even better than 1t
promised. The opening scene was, perhaps, q little
tame but with the return OF John Garth to his old
home, the audience settled down into an earnest
and interested attention which steadily increased as
the characters OF the principal actors gradually
developed. IL had been feared that the
plot was too intricate and that the shades
OF character were too decately drawn TO be sde.
quately understood by people who had not read the
novel But this msgivng was altogether un.
founded. Even the finer and hidden e1ects-the
strong contrasts between the paterna love OF Garth
for his daughter and OF Paoio Baret for his son. be.
tween the reckless viany OF Paolo and the remorse-
full crminality OF Gregory Deerham, between the
loves OF Garth and Hester and OF Antonioand MIN.
nie-were fully appreciated. The piece Will certainly
ENJOY good run, and 1t stands more than a far
repertoire OF modern drama.
II would De hard 10 exaggerate the merits OF Mr.
MANAGES sonn Garte soo TINS Is oe o. very ar
IN the past. Iron strength OF will rude
honesty, depth and weight and innate grandeur
and nobeness OF nature-thesc are It's principal
features. What contrast to the polished, grace
iu, wel.dressed, line gentlemen who have been
MI Walacks fav0rte parts In former DAYS He
brings out with impressive effect and, though
quietly and easily, sti with constant art, the
passionate though latent energy that marks
Garth undoubtedly IS. The scene in which he casts
OF his daughter is terrible IN IFS suggested earnest
ness; while the gradual melting OF the rougn and
sorrow. worn adyenturer INTO The tenderness OLA
acts, and the curtain falls upon him as he is
displaying the more pleasant and natural
Is admirably portrayed by Mr.. Gilbert
ana Mr.. Polk Is a passable Antonio. Antonio how.
ever does not seem 70 be very effective part. Mr..
Fishers paolo Barrett - rather 100 broadly atd
improves In finish and naturalness; and IN the odg-
Ing house scene, where he appears an escaped
JJlnt 10 again annoy his SON. the part per-
fsciJy enacted. Miss Plessy Mordaunt deserves
u slIxosafy wei adapted TO her. Mrs. Cara Jen.
nlhxs ss WINNIE Dafth u. az usual, easy graceful
sed gsss<iDg
me 'SeDsanoDsi ~ the piece sprng 10 naturally
ron ihs characters II Ia Actors mat
tasr are redeemed from yui2srity ana ex-
uayagsbce, ana seem fairy ~ belong 10 the
real wofa Ia winch We i've. The situation IN the
fourth act paolo raises his hand 10 slay hia
son, unncr the belief That IL IN his deadly foe, and is
interrupted by the interference OF Garth himself IL
QUE OF Inc most novel; exciting and powerful ever
piodnced on the stage. The horror OF the father
expressed hate and pity OF Garth make up picture
Of wonderful impressiveness.
III ~ scarcely necessary to add that the setting OF
traditional glories or WallacKs .John Gartn,i prom.
ises 10 he one OF the most successful pieces That
have ever been Dut on the boards even OF this aie
servedIy favorite theatre.