New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-20
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
THE DRAMA.
FIFTH AVENUE TUEATER.

received five successive representations at the Fifth
Avenue Theaer-will be acted there only three times
mOre-ths afternoon, this evening, and next Thursday.
1t is an amusing play and to present Mr. Mah
ews In winning and comic part; and oil who for
elegant and delicate acting and for the humor that scn
tates from eccentric character, should improve the
cason TO Zee 1t. In pOrtraying Sir Simon simple Mr..
Mathews embodes an individuality remarkable for gen.
uine goodness and gcnteness and for nice discretion
somewhat bampered by sluggishness OF tho Wits Sir
Simon il gentleman in natureaDd not merely In arti-
Hoia attributes and it by the preservation and por-
travail OF that serene element throughout his perform
ance that Mr. Mathews srikngly exhibits the truthful
spirit and the beautiful finish OF his art by charm
that is always potent and sometimes quite magical In
real life, Sir Simon wins upon the heart mat
charm ts-native refinement. His instincts are
those of delicate forbearanoe and magnanimity lie IL
spontaneously cOnsderae Of Others and acts kindly ana
iustly without effort and without realization OF the
quality of his conduct But, his temperament mani
tests itself in slow, mOon-struck sort OF manner ana
his whole department Is coored by certain drOl mat
teroffact, unquestiOning acquescence IN the various
chances and changes that affect his personal condition.
he u.s. In the comedy, parsonage not less amusing th
oyeabe. DIR. Mathews makes this ideal an actual type
and srs kndes emotions the part OF his andtors
The circumstances under which Sir Simon is shown are'
it will be readily seen, OF an improbable ana
a somewhat farcical order. Still, they arc
interesting, and they serve their twofod pur
pose-Of stimulating laughter and suggesting
gentle, pleasing. and improving personality Ihey
are displayed in three acts. "Not Such Fool AS he
Looks has never before acted in New-York ana,
therefore we may properly rehearse its CHIEF Incidents
Briefly: IL sets forth that Mr. Daniel Mrgdtroyd stern
and mpcrous lawyer, was left by his wle' VINO eouo
not brook his tyranny and who carried away Win her
their infant son-depostng the boy with Mrs. Ao"'di
that subsequently Mrs. Mould. affecting 10 DC
the mother OF the boy, and, unaware Oh Dis
HnFgdTOyu,
palmed him off as the heir to title and an estate the
scene England in the present day, and reared MN III
luxury that just before the youth came OF age he De
clned to marry Mr. MurgaroydS neice, whom he loVed
but whose affections he discovered were pghted 10 an
other and that thereupon Mr. Murgatroyd in frantic
rage avowed the impOsture and degraded ST sumo" 10
the worldly condition of Mrs. Mould that the mother OF
Sir Simon then appeared and claimed and relieved him.
and finally that Mr. and Hrs. Mgdtroyd were reconcled
and reunited "FOrtuDe has freaks"-bu whether any
OF them mad as some OF these the reauer VIII
Judge The situations that grow out of this story are
effective and udcrous in the play which, down to the end
of The second act, with insprting aerlness The
third act-deyOted to bringing the estranged husband
and wife once together-acks substance
and is too broadly farccal to be quite
harmonious with It's predecessors OF with go0d
taste. Probably the author had little or no
care for nature conference I'm his work beyond what
was needfu bring out the chief character In strong
light Upon of the subsidiary persOnages however
he bestowed thoughtful workmanship. mr. and Mrs.
Mould-cockneys OF low degree-are faithfully and adj
mrably drawn and, we are free to add, they are de-
llghfuly played. Mr.. Days company contains, in Mr.
Daydge and Mrs. Gilbert two OF the best artists on the
American stage for eccentric character parts and for
carcature To see Mrs Gbert's Hrs. MOad is to see
perfectly symmetrical composition of natural attributes,
colored by an involuntary humOr that is positively de-
licious The use OF light and shade in this
performance commands tribute 0 especial
admiration. Mr.. Dayidge pcases greatly, also, as
Mr.. MOd-an individual who savors OF both Wegg and
Ecces and one whom the actor IS therefore, justified in
drawing partly the mood OF carcature But it for
Sir Simon Simple that the comedy is chiefly valu-
able and notable aud It TO that parsonage, por
trayed by Mr. Mathews, that we especially direct the
attention of the paygoer This Is unique work OF art
and il has dcepened In our thought and memory, that
impression of refinement and polished grace which must
be associated with recollection OF the acting or
Charles Mathews-Next week he will appear in round
of parts; a. Sir Charles Codstream and Mr. Cutler
soo on Monday in Married For Money! and 80 a
Arts" and The Critic" ON Wednesday.
"KITn AT NIBLo'S.
The drama of Exit or the Arkansas Tray
eler" to have precisely hit the public fancy and
thus to have entered Of positive success 1t
has been played eleven times, and each time in the pre-
sence OF multitude OF persons This result referabe
to natural aud adequate cause. The popular mind is
To see. the theater image more or less accurate,
the hor that may be on the avenue is with
many people, to enjoy an exquisite pleasure KIT,
like many OF its predecessors, that have their race
and sleep in Bedlam,bas been constructed with wise
reference to this fact II abOunds with stagc-pic-
lures of familiar objects Its scope OF realism Is,
indeed Of rather extraordinary breadth 1t in
cludes burning house. q modern bar-rOom, real
gin cocktails, q riverside pier, steamboat in mo-
ton, the grand saloon satccabin OF the steamboat,
the deck of the same the Warehouses; the tunnels, and
the steamboat in flames; aud all these objects are pre-
sentcd with singular elity to their originals. This COM
bnaton strong enough in itself to ascnate the popu-
lace is, in the drama, made more potent STILL by union
with somewhat romantic story, grossly extravagant in
some particulars, but based pathetic idea and
fraught with several incidents Of much interest. That
such work should hit the public fancy will occasion no
surprise to tho thoughtful observer Of the stage The
wonder would be that it did not While however, Kit
commends ITSELF directly and cordially to the taste that
Graves sensation and the judgment that merely super
fetal destitute OF positive and permanent value as
a work Of dramatic and literary art. Briefly described,
t is superior play of an inferior class. The distinction
thus made and line of thought thus indicated have
been specified and argued upon 50 many
times. I'm these columns, that we are al
most as tired of them we are OF the
occasions that call for their Ii seems in
cvtabe though, that critical processes should become
monotonous. AS often the sensation c-irama
makes its appearance often the necessity follows that
it's exact character and value should be stated Not
that this kind of work necessarily perncous not that
ought to be secuted from the stage; not Indeed That
it is not useful ami therefore commenda1leas fortii
zer OF minds that comprehend nothing better but
in order the taking OF proper precautions lest medi
ocrty because tolerated. shall assert itself rs super
laye excellence That will assert ITSELF when LETT
in unrestricted freedom can need to be told who
has observed how often the monetary success achieved
by "A bad p ny trumpeted forth genuine triumph
of intellect One OF the worst tendencies OF American
civilization is its tendency everything by the