New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-03
TILE DRAMA.
wALLACK's THEATER.

A sudden tempest Of rain, snow, and violent
wind made Saturday night extremely unpleasant. New
ertheless, largo company OF unterrlned play-goers
came forth and assembled at walacks Theater, to wit
ness the representation, in this house. OF Bayle
Bernard's farcical comedy OF "The Nervous Man and
the Man Of Nerve" This piece is brm full OF fun, and
has therefore, always been fayortte. 1t was nrst
acted in America the 18th OF june 1885, at the Bowery
Theater On the 9th OF September, in the same year,
Power played in It, AcShane taking his benefit at the
Park 1t is likewise associated with the first appearance
In this country OF Mr. John Collins who acted McShdne,
the Park the nth Of August, 1896 and thus pleas
anty introduced himself to the American public Mr..
Brougham's personaton Of NcShane Is wenknown to
old play goers and lives in their memory as one OF the
most brilliant personages that populate the realm of
theatrical fancy. Its great deal OF
pleasure on Saturday evening" and was welcomed with
emphatic applause MeShane the best exant type OF
gOod-natured Celtic brass; or, at any rate, he IS
exhibited such wisely devised dramatic circumstances
that he shows more wildly than either Dazzle OCoHa
gha FIT Maurice any OF thatJoyial crew. He is the
Prince OF gay intruders and his leyity, amable
reokessness, dashing manners, mental nimbeness In
catching at preexts and making the best OF circum-
Stances comic audacity and joyous goodhumor carry all
before them Men OF this Harry LOrrequer kind exist and
extent prosper; but is only on the stage that
they last that they really agreeable. And upon
the stage they have better representative than Mr.
Brougham. He in nne spirits on Saturday night
and his sharp, salient wit and involuntary droery lit up
the piece with many-coored and pervading brliancy.
The purpose OF the payas perhaps some readers may
like to be informed remindedis TO depict the comic
mishaps that befal nervous man, Mr. Aspen in conse
quence OF the intrusive, and un
RENTING friendllness OF man Of nerve hr. KcShdne.
Mr.. Aspen Is O wealthy tradesman, in London Mr..
McShane Is Irish adyenturer, who fastens
upon him. One act Of the farce shows Mr.. Aspen's
suerings in townfrom which he endeavors to
escape by buying house in the country The other act
shows his caamtes In the rural distrctsstl In
quence OF McShdne SO long a time has passed since
this piece acted in NewYork that alusion to these
familiar matters appropriate. We venture to think
however that theatergoer who loves fun will omit
the present opportuniysince 1.-The Nervous Man" will
be repeated o-nght-of making himself practically ac-
quainted with them Occasions Of such merment occur
but seldom This is particularly rich in the blessing
of laughter. Not only is the revival fortunate in having
Mr.. Brougham to play McShane; it also has Mr. Gilbert
to pay Mr.. Aspen. How well he played it, on Saturday
night may be inferred from the fact that after one OF his
exits in act second he recalled upon the stage by
literal tumult OF delighted applause Aspen may be de-
fined cranky old bachelor oyerweathy and INSULT
GENTLY employed, who lives in fume and fret, whom
triies annoy. and who is both passionate and ami
able The weak side Of this character 10, Of
course, much exaggerated in the farce-wlth
view TO the legitimate purposes OF this style OF art.
Those who know Mr.. Gilbers pecuartes will readily
perceive that this sort Of individuality quite In his line
OF portrayal. 1t does not require humOr OF the oily,
laughing kind Aspen makes great deal Of merriment;
but in himself he Is grmly serious and so this artist
presents HMM the shape and coors OF nature and
symmetricaly finished, with respect to form. II he
were PoiOnias or Dogberry When two such actors as
Mr. Brougham and Mr. Gilbert thus matched in suit
able characters the result is delightfully."- animated
presentation afording great enjoyment for the public
We record therefore, brilliant success for the revival
of The Nervous Man" The scenic sets good. New
interiors in q style of ornamentation, make them
selves manifest at waaek's Theater from time TO time,
and Indicate gradual stocking Of the stage with entirely
new scenery "The Nervous Man" contains halfa
dozen fair parts, aside from Aspen snd McShane.
Mr.. Ringgold presented true and ludcrous
fop as Lord Lounge. Mrs. Seton buresqued
parvenu gentility 70 Lady Leech Mr.. Rockwell,
as Capt Burnish, presented compound OF decorum and
asperity, very useful foil to the impudence OF
MeShane. Mr.. flanagan played Virian; Miss Deland
appeared Mrs. Clceke the buxom landlady, and Miss
Flora Clayton emerged into rather startling promi-
nence as Emily Virian. The performance terminated
with the dull and farce OF The Unfinished Gentle
man. which ought promptly to be consigned TO the OBJ
security from which IL has been exhumed footman for
Mr. williamson, a chambermad for Miss Germon, and
muggins for Mr. stoddart might be found, We should
imagine, in sprightier farce, relative to more
delicate topic 1.-THE Unfinished Gentleman was left In
an unfinished state by many spectators on Saturday
Others remained to the close and greeted Its buooney
with OF laughter. Both the plays to which
We have thus referred announced, at WallacKs,
for tonight, Thursday, and the Saturday Matinee
Birth " - the withdrawal OF which Is deeply 10
DO regretted - will be repeated on Tuesday ana
Saturday evenings. Tho nights or wednesday
and Friday will be devoted to 1.-THE Rivals Mr.
W. g. Gbert's comedy OF "Randalls Thumb footes
comedy OF "The Lyar," and Mr.. Lester Waliaeks TO
mantle drama OF Rosedae are In rehearsal.
BOOTHS THEATER.
A very important dramatic incident invites
the attention OF play-goers tonight Mr. Booth will
appear as Beriueeio in "The Fools Revenge" HIS per
Torrance of this part known TO many lovers OF the art
of acting. For part we remember IL as one OF
the most picturesque and thrilling embodiments OF con
nictng PASSIONS anguish, and pathos that 1t has over