New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-12
THE DRAMA
LIMA EDwIN's THEATER-RAsK.
L...-l..l

new English comedy, in three acts. ca,,.a
hahR.' was played at Lima Edwin's Iheater ON TIA,
9'S, TOT the hrst time. Tho attendance was larg~
No'ees Seldom ail OF beng attentyely received ON M
local stag6 and this one, certainly was greeted with an
Deedful consideration. IL desefyes some good fortune
Rank" indeed Is not based on any new set OF idesx
nor does u ncucato new truths With regard 10 the stan
OF society and the conduct Of life: bns sna % tho 49,.
upon which 1t Is based are sound and the truths a a.,
forces are sautary The moral OF the piece /, k,ndra
with that OF "Caste" The story and the treatment N
tho story are, however, very different This will be ap
parent in brief glance at the leading Incidents young
woman, Of rare personal worth and beauty but ~
humble birth and social station Is wooad and won Ia
marriage by man OF rank. subsequently, having pros
poets OF political preferneD he concludes, Is pr
saded thar This marriage viii hamper him; and accord
Dgyas II was made In Scotland, and has never been
ratiied-he plans its annulment Us base design In
this respect, h, however foled by his wfe's brother
manly but unpublished young fellow, OF the Hopespun
ord,r' Who oy Wellplanned 5trateeem, compels The
husbands public recognition Of the wife, Thcreupon on
open reputation ensue and tho ariso,rat deserts b.
peasant bride Trouble then comes. for both The wifo,
conduct under these altered and cruel creumstances
illustrates the beauty Of rectitude The husband
WedCd by turbulent strife and chsscned by adversely
IL aught wisdom and constrained 10 humJ'cness Al
the climax these persons are once more brought together
The meaning Of all this experience is sufficiently patent
n
honor. The only Of happiness Is the fiely
Of loving hearts. otis only noble to be good" Trits
truths perhaps, but always worthy Of being enforced
and Observation-Disclosures especially in q time and . com
munty which wOrships money and worldly power ard
measures and estimates character by this per-
nlcios standard Of is worship In the suggestion u
these truths the author of Rank has devised story
which Ia effective, in spite Of some imp7obabtas and
some triviatY. The auditors on Tueslsy-wbo vera
sufficiently TO al the hOusegreeted its rep
resentation with frequent applause. Miss Edwin APP
peared az the heroine OF Rank" Doe Maynard or
Doieas Hu6b by name, and was cordially welcomed
the applause that ensued upon her first coming for
ward being strongly indicative Of kind populat
gard. Courage and perseverance in good work
qualities that naturally win favor in enterprsns
community and those qualities have been evident
Miss Edwns management OF her theater from the begin
ming. The character that Miss Edwin personatcd
simple and pleasng-that, briefly speaking, OF kind,
loving faithful woman grlish IN years and In tempera
ment, but stanch in native integrity. Miss Edwins
persOnaton cOntrasted surface graces with sincere feel
ing Tie heartness Of The Individuality, indeed, com
mended 10 10 regard. Mr. George Clarke, Miles HHb5,
evoked the laughter and touched the hearts OF his hear
ers, by character work that good in unconscious
C0mcaty and genuine IN feeling. His dialect however.
was indefinite and tendency to oyerdo the pumpkin
in the earlier scenes might be repressei 10 advantage
Mr. Harry Eytlngo and Mr Eiwin wyndham committed
q kindred error, In caricaturing the assumed vapidiU
OF English aristOcrats Persons like those represened
by these gentlemen are only seen on the stage anu are
tedious there. Mr.. Morris made up in excellent taste.
for a political Squire. The Maynard Of Mr. Bates wac
100 heavy. One lesson of this play we should state "a i
hint "a TO the wisdom OF mai tanning those social grades
which naturally into being. The scenery was by
Marston. For important scenic displays however. wo
do not look TO this lte stage. Enough II ts scenes 10
appropate and neat. Crank" is not strong piece Dui
it is well meant, and may chance to do some good.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATER.
Mr.. Charles Mathews has been seen this
week. at the Fifth Avenue Theater, a. Sir CHARTS COLO
stream as jasper, and GatberDoo These are among
his most admired presentations. He played Jasper ana
6aercoo on Wednesday, FOR tho rst time in the present
engagement. The former ch racter IL familiar ana dear
10 all Old play-goers and, d,neaed by Mr. Mathews.
s destinations were made distinctly evident. To one
phase Of it, thoughn case 1t be conceded that JdfpS
man Of tender heart and rather romantic temperamehs
the comedian scarcely did adequate justice. Bon
tnent il not the strong point or the art
OF Mr.. Mathews There is a great deal OF
light in his acting. but there Is very lttlo
shade The two, all events seemed dsproportoned
in his performance OF jasper. Those who kn0" "A
Bachelor OF Arts" are aware that its hero is brilliant
man. rather Out-atelDOws in fortune, who finds his way
into family Of Strangers and proves to bs sort o.
guardian angel As to brilliancy, the Jasper or hr
Mathews admirably true and hne He gittered and
azzd and pervaded the piece and the stage with bust
ling animation; but to ten ierness OF feeling hs WA
less true and effective Latent IN the acting OF Mr.
Mathews however there certain delicate seriousness
Of tome which quite sweet, and which we take to be
equally the expression OF amiability and
SOLDERING experience. This tone stood for
deeper feeling, and in part, supplied the sonber tins
that appertns to Jaspes character The performance
In the main symmetrical, and in oumulatite move
mcnt and energy of purpose 80 insprng-was followed
with attentive interest by throng of pleased spectsor
from whom it elected frequent and cordial tributes o.
admiration We do not recall neater comedy than
Bachelor of Arts" refreshing to the tasts
that loves beauty Of form and simplicity of arrange
uent and expression. 1t set upon Mr.. Days stage
I'm perfectly appropriate dress, and the
drollcry and crisp fun Of Mr.. Mathews made u
as pleasant an entertainment as any one conid
wish to see. The subsidiary parts were well cast Mr.
Dayidge gave great earnestness to TIE performance. ~
also delightful tnge Of broad ,humor by bis Aadrev
While The Emma Thornton OF Miss Dietz Is TO DO
recorded as sweet and pretty personation OF atiess
yet pauant simplicity. The Addaty was Mr. do We're.
who made the part adequately cool and elegant M
John Bu nett found Adophus part ia which no 10
entirely sui cd. "a Bachelor of Arts was done IN I'VE
ocs Instead OF the usual three The farce or Gathef
vyoni Afforded an agreeable foil TO the comedy ana gave
new evidence Of tho versatility OF ono oil tue nheab COMO
dia0s in the world
NIjSIC