The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-23
THEATRICAL DOlNGS OF THE WEEK.

There has been but little sparkle during the past
week on the current OF dramatic events and things
have flowed on smoothly aud sweetly from Its open.
ing to It's close.
The opening caught a brightness from the appear-
ance OF Mr. Lester Waack on his own boards In
two OF these gay gossamer, graceful pieces, which
rise on butterfly wing and lead on the theatrical
pursuer with an attractive charm difficult TO define,
but very exquisite to feel. This was followed by
"Ours." the most picturesque and effective OF all
Robertson's dramas, and they exchange their allure.
ments during the week. Time seems to have touched
Mr. Lester Walack very lightly with its gray
wing as 1t passed. Indeed, Providence, with a spe-
cial tenderness for the softer SEX seems always 20
throw protecting shield against the attacks OF
time over the pet primo tenore and light comedian
OF the hour Brigno II ia true has grown rather fat
But then he eats too much maccaroni and Is mar.
ried.
Saturday saw the "IIeir at Law.n In these DAYS
Of the Black Crook and Oflenbacn comedies must
be excessively brilliant to sustain hold upon the
audience The actors OF the old school are
fast passing away, and we can see no one to
Ill their places in tho future. Let us love the
few left u.s. Among these perhaps Mr.
Gilbert Is certainly one OF the most eminent. He is
every inch the artist ana perfection itself in his
special sphere. He wins, the moment he comes on
pertinent, and his face wears that happy expression
or cheerfuness and mirth which put the audience
In good humor before he opens his mouth. His in
tonation Is a marvel for young artists to initiate
He renders our mother tongue with richness and
dstlnctness OF expression which carries audiences
back to the classical days OF Drury when acting
was elevated to the highest region OF art and made
instinct with the most refined culture. Mr.
Gilberts tones are mei1uous and succu-
lent, and suggestive at once Of the good merry
things he has in store for you. In looking
fully at his audience without shirK dodge he per-
petuates also, nobly the me traditions OF the old
English school OF comedy. II Is Il pleasure TO look
on his frank, open face and to enjoy the refinement
Of cultivated taste which turks beneath his most
sprignty freaks OF drollery Gilbcrt's is a well knit
honest face, and you see the gentleman mIrrored
In 1t even before you come under the spell OF his
the "Heir at Law afford q perfect luxury OF fun
Nature has endowed Stoddart with one OF those
spare figures and faces redolent OF comic whlm
which invariably hit an audience.
Madame Marie Seebachs repertoire for the week
Is exceedingly rich and varied. Tonight she VIII
appear In one OF her most famous representations
Carchen in Goethe's "Egmont.u The story OF the
brave but Inflated leader In the early struggles OF
the Dutch republic Is one of the most interesting
that history can furnish. Then, as an example of
womanly devotion, the character or Clarchen stands
pre-eminent The entire OF Beethoven's "Egmont''
music, rich frame for such a work, viii be per-
formed by grand orchestra OF forty. Tomorrow
night Seebach plays Marianne, on Wednesday Ma
thilde on Friday Joan OF Arc and on Saturday
in Faust On Thursday the regular
company oil the Stadt theater give "The Comedy Of
Errors.n
At Fisk's Aimee appears In the "Pericholev and
OF course carries the house by storm. She IS at all
times irresistible by her beauty and grace; bur. as
Perichole she gives us the beau ideal OF the gatn
de Parts who makes the Quarter Latin reel with
ecstasies OF delight and who gives the idea OF the
enthusiasm Therese would create In the cafes chan
tans, II, IN addition her arc she had possessed
Aimee's sprightliness and esprit. she knows-most
rare accomplshment-how to walk. too, on the
stage and how TO Dress as only woman can TO the
Paris manner born. No wonder she was the idol OF
the Varieties at Paris. as She now IL OF our je,esse
Of bald singer she looks rasissaate t and
Dewitching, and when she changes to a LADY of the
monds showered on her BY imprisoned South Anne
rlcans at Rio Janelro sne looks as fascinating ana
dtsangus as II born TO that sphere.
The best thing FISK can no. do Is to carry Ofen-
bach himself away from Paris, where he has no.
thing to do, and to keep hin IN DURANGO here until
he has set Erie to music and Sc. America wild by
jects la ..Perichole." There nothing impossible
to FISK; untli ne mas done TINS ne VIII not have
pleasant instalment of the good times
to come. The comI any is admirable. The
ana Gaussn does remarkably well. The smallest
parts are touched with careful completeness winch
may well put to blush the ar-degrading star system
OF the AngloAmerican stage. II Is shown In .'Piri-
chOle' that although Aimee never ceases for one
moment 10 be the central point OF radiation the ex-
cellent character OF the company enhances her adj
mrahle personncation without IN the least dctract
ing from her the admiration Of the audlence. We
trust II may be long before Mr. Fisk has occasion to
travel with his summer clothes
No change has come over either Booths Nlbio'S,
DAILY s or the Olympic but tue sentines on their ram
narts 4
Palmer has made several efforts to seduce for a
sensation the Fenian ieitains TO a private box,
but long captivity has Subdued their senses and
sOotled them into desire for tranquility and
pose. Until the arrival Of their brother captlves
llalns at bis villa al Bath, who VIII entertain them
with that gorgeous hospitality which becomes the
hleal descendant Of q race Of Irish kings.
We are permitted TO say that, though we believe
MIR. Williams has completes his TRANSACTIONS OF
fschylus and Sophocies, IL Is not his intention this
season to appear In Greek drama. He will con-
fine his attention for the present to the classic
characters of "BIy Murphy'' and Ragged PATTI
anna NAME Of lara Keene 70 W Mn tne hn
sand pleasant associations spring up at the sound
And how we are borne back to the time when at old
girl, captivated the Imagination OF the town
by The grace and gayeIy and elegance and
charm which she impaired to every character she
touched. Who Is there VINO then sa her just rising
on the dramatic HORIZON full Of splendsr ana beauy.
that can see, save in Madeleine Henriques, anything
like her nowadays Surely an angel will have
sprtnKled the lnels OF the doorposG of sucn girl,
and bid defacing time not to touch her with its
whitening wing as it passed. We shall hope to see
her gay as graceful and as GLAD as in the golden
days gone by.
At Bryant's one may pass half an hour pleasantly.
The house is so cheerful and bright, and the
Jimphysques Brgands Is really more amusing than
tn original itself. But there is a smpleton look
about the audiences who laugh at the olumsiest
tricks OF the performers, which after little tires,
and which really ustfles the performers In limiting
Their efforts % tue very coarsest exhibitions OF
e6 minstrel frolleksomeness Negro Ne + fun Of
seem to give full scope to dramatic delineaton.
But the Ministries are simply made vulgar clowns OF
neither the droery OF white nor black but treating
the audience evening after evening TO the same stale
songs ana the same senseless tricks, without
the slightest prelension to artistic excellence.
without picturesqueness OF appearance, grace OF
mo veneht or witty dialogue The lowest ribadry
OF froCsome street poys Is transferred to the
stage that is all The handsome appearance of the
house stands in grotcsque contrast to the low char
acter Of The performance and every TALL Of the cur
tain is always pleasant pause OF reilef Yet the
popularity which has always clustered round all
INNS rels, aud especially the Bryant's, seem to
stp half ll nj