New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-23
THE DRAMA.

shs season performing in the extravaganza OF Robin
Heed" and drawing the frequent applause OF great
crowd Of people Its display OF animal comehnees was
liberal, and this,-as many previoas oceaSons'-lr
spirod the populace with apparent ecstasy OF sas
faction Mr.. Connolly, the leader of the band' MI
Beckett The sole actor Of the organization Mise Weath
ereby. the neat aud jaunty vocalist Miss Camille Du
bois, wo used 10 be brunette and s now blonde nut
who sings her French song well as ever and Mr.
Wlnie Edouin the gymnast OF the troupe, VINO mas
learned 20 speak in. the tones of Stuart Robson's
Captain Crosstee and dance like Mr. Malton, were
The recipients Of cordial paudts OF welcome These are
all old faces, and, with their pSbe old favorltes. Inc
newcomors-Mss Amy Sheridan, Miss Louise Bever-
ley Miss Tiny Earle. Miss Parsele, and the Misses
Ieslie-were received with comparative apathy. Tho
former had heraded wonder Of lOvelness she
proved be chiefly noticeable for uncommon altitude
All OF them quite competent 10 the little parts theS
undertook Intelligence In these matters IS not pr
mary requisite For the old hands, IL does not appear
that there anything to be said BARRIERS chairs
better known TO their freQuenters than these
performers their habitual vOtares and followers
To taste the gems OF the Representatives were rev
bite OF dry humor-of characer-painting as well as
snunciation-by M Beckett, and the French song OF
Miss Dubois. For sensible persons Mr.. Beckett is
always n relief TO the tedious tnsel and long
drawn Stiffness Of the Lydia Thompson style Of bur
lsue. That style Of burlesque involves gushing vivac-
aud Astounding animal spirits which Miss Thompson
pOssesses-Or thoroughly simulates-and sort OF In
fantle cOduettishness with which she produces i'm
precision quite the Of agreeable. For the subject
matter of the blesque the proper word is one of mod
crate commendaton. The versided dialogue Of Robin
Hood" doubtless written in England, for 1t is
ooored with English local allusion and here and there
garnished with the nnuendo that suits the appe
ute of the cockney beefater The story is in part out
Of So0tps "IvanhOe" and in part out OF the writer's
fancy. told Incidents in vein of legitimate
buresque The pursuit, capture and escape OF
LokSey occupy the first act the winning of his bride
tho do ion shown in Tho
second. Tho scenery was not maryelousy hne, but
II quietly good and il its purpose view OF
Notting and another of Sherwood Forest were the
showpeces Much stress was thrown on the concerted
singng specimen OF which, in the dungeon scene
gave manifest pleasure, and was recalled several times
In taking melodies the piece decidedly defcIent
but the other hand, it stronger than some OF its
predecessors in the element Of farcca extravaganza
hardly to be called humOr and yet calculated to stimu
late meriment The step in this direction is discreet
There is certain nambypambyism about the everlast
ing bust and legs and yellow hair and volatile pran-
cling, and semisentimental vocaism which needs the
relief OF fun-even, We should judge, for those who
really like the gilt gingerbread and ornamented pecrust
Of extravaganza 1t is comfort 10 ind the Thompson
Troupe growing stronger in this element of fun. In
other respects it has been strong at Woods
Museum. when it first appeared-four years ago, in
"Iuon." Is recurrence last evening, we have init
mated, hailed with many demonstrations OF popular
interest, and doubt it will have four successful
weeks OF fOong wallacks Theater according TO the
managers prearranged plan. Upon the Importance of
that advent TO and the good OF STAGE
ment be spared-for the that made the
old author omit his comment the snakes in Iceland.
= There point of view in which the Lydia ThOmp
s6n Burlesque Troupe may be considered worthy OF a
moment serious consideration That point Of is
the significance of its popularity In almost every city
IN which II has appeared this company has met with
measure Of public favor wholly disproportioned to its
deserts. That favor, moreover, has been accorded
chiefly by the yOungfor it is by young and their
and sweethearts that heaters in general and the
lighter kinds of amusements in particular, mainly
supported When therefore, consider precisely what
this company is what sort entertainment 1t gives.
and what amplitude of acceptance it has found,
forced to see-what cannot contemplate without the
hvees reget-that there is sad lack OF judicious dis
eernmen seusbiy and taste the part of the rising
generation OF paygOers. Here is a company composed
chiefly OF females, not one Of whom actress, in
the right sense Of that much-abused word
II gives entertainment in which the vital
IncTedient-the potent magnetic attributes the
vouptuous exhibition OF the physical beauty of women
al the other attributes-the words that spoken
the that are sung the dances that are executed
The music the scenery dresses the decorations the
lights the antics. and the grotesque droery-are mere
~ incidental to this one, and without this would be life
less and altogether Ineffective. THIS and this only, is
the element Of conquest To augment its force, the in
gonuy Of the arcer and the costumer taxed to the
almost exteut The hair beached dyed the skin is
whitened painted the eyebrows and eye-ashes
stained; the defects Of bust and limb repaired by
ludicous paddings of the duce cotton and the whole
structure is adroity clothed with just little dress
may cover without concealing those beauties which it is
hoped will allure the without offending the in
stinct Of decency. Thus equipped, we say, the
lydia Thompson Troupe proceeds through the theaers
Of our cities far and near, while the young people
ctes-ROt TO speak Of old roues sporting black
legs and rG-ra general-nock TO its entertainments
applaud doiIgs reyel IN its vouptuous license, and
sarry away for imitation In private e its dlttes and
Its antics Others may find this condition OF facts
trivial and uRmeaning matter. To us it is painfully sig
nidcsnt Tao time has been when there thought to
certain sanctity about the beauty of wOmanwhen
ideazed in the imagnatiOns Of young men, loved
IN their hearts, and reverenced in their mindswhen all
manner Of sweet and lovely qualities Of nature were
associated with it, and feel ats influence 10 be
ronscious OF strange, delicious, but Christening
and ennoblng JOY That time, for most OF
~ has passed away with all its gra-
cious experiences and enthusiasms giving place, as
must ever be the lapse Of years. to STRIFE care sick
ness pain and sorrow. Through that path human Life
wends ever toward its end, and place of rest But to
zee that for youth itsewhose especial privilege the
ideal is with all its inestmabe blessings the beauty of
woman far from being sacred thing is matter for
vulgar exhibition, sodid trading and low reyelry, Is TO
get as cherries realization any that comes in even
the bleak consciousness OF the sere the yellow Leaf
Those for whom the bloom is longer the rye have
at least the precious memory OF it But alas and
again for those whose rye there never was any
bloom, and never Will be!