The New York herald., 1872-10-02
w ALL AC KS
Brilliant Opening Of the Fall seasoo -Pygmaaon
aud 0aiatea

and 0aiatea.
Only few days ago we chroncied the departure
of the blonde buriesquers from this favorite the
stre and the close OF the summer season. Mr..
Moss, the energetic manager. had already an
neunced that tho theatre would remain closed bur
for . very short interval and would open
thoroughly renovated. We confess to have
listened to these plans with a feeling OF
increduury II was therefore with real
surprise on entering the theatre that We
noticed the sudden Transformation that had been
effected ~ IL by magic. The aspect OF tho audito-
riam was completely changed. presenting bril-
liant and joyous c0l0rs wherever the eye rested.
In the centre or the large wallpaneis bouquets OF
nowers, painted with rare skill, impaired warmth
and brilianoe to the decorations Tho cYcct OF the
painters skill WAS heightened by the use Of new
gas, which gave remarkably pure. white light. In
wow OF the short space OF tinle In which the
work had TO be done the change made
in tue Appearance OF the auditorium may. without
exageerAtiOA, 10 accounted wonderful. The at
traction OF the night was Furnished BY w. y. Gil
bert's "PygAalion ana Gaiatea,n which obtained 80
remarkable . success in london, where 1t ran at
one OF the principal theatres for soma TWO hundred
nights. It Ia comedy tinged In all its vital parts
with intense dramatic. feeling. The public are
~. W. ssy w ssISs = .sA H. .cs.
ieaay dull No one could DO 80 stupid as to find any
anialty between II ami the trash the good na.urcd
public constantly swallow. under the title Of mod
ern comedy. There - not . line. . thought, or .
situation in the whole play stolen rom popular ans
French payst ana the acuGn 81 cmHs
II was surely unnecessary to tell us tnat the WORK
wss original. az we know only few modern come.
dies OF which this description could be at all srue
The author has founded the plot or his play Oh
the Old Greek story Of Pygmalion, the
he snseS Sssu tSe gods S Who kept to m the
81 the stort Nj. tiIbert has departed from the
sssad sss psysSsSs 81 sss Ssiss s s & ssp
works contains satire on society. In mo order @ to
aid Of good stage costumes the author makes the
assa snSsa to s s "s e e day. .s's eTs
a mpss nss s nas nature saa ppsa s0M o
the conventional hypocrisies In which noble man
delights to clothe himself Galatea, the animated
prayers Of Pygmaton, beautiful woman, with all
the loving instincts and not few Of the iobles Of
% af * % sSess sows p'ss sna o
ing OF the conyentlonalitles OF life, but keenly
sensible Of the Joy O. being; Her . existence nc.
ness the selGshness and tngratitude OF the world
which appeared SO bright and happy at frat sight
is anything maaala pl9wed 70 int{qde, On the
sSSs sSSSs the sssin sass rs as s rSssS stsS . sn
@ % FL a Ss2 Ssss' Sfs Rs s1ss'ss We sss
there viii come thoughts that incline US to
weep, for the tendereSt chords OF human sympathy
are made to yibrate under the light but skilful
touch OF one who looks into the heart OF mankind.
All ali probability rob escape TIE general public who rarely
look below the surface OF situations and certain
glitter Of dialogue but even the superncn,ai PEI n,. Wl
a wIl find food for Laughter ana 4 Sseoon a
praise, the cesS.umes are rich and, what is Of inf
SCENES have an artistic value which rarely belongs
to vac scene painters. productions; this, too,
Shs Isss nss 1 om9s
to give completeness and r0undness to the repre-
sentation OF this play. The beauty and freshness
cacy Of thought breathed through this production
will, we are certain, secure for It an enthusiastic
public support. There are those who lear for Its
popularity because OF its worth on account OF the
success which has attended the productions OF vul
gar and silly modern comedies in which the public
had nothing but the costumes that they could HON.
estly admire. The unequivoca manner In which
the audience testified their pleasure during the
progress Of the and especially at ITS
New York public can and do appreciate high order
Of play, and II the opportunity be furnished
erous support they Will extend to It,. Certainly II
merit were sure OF reward, "Pygmalion and Gala
tea COulu not ldll 10 De suCCesS Inc
roles are well and acceptably filed, and the mean
ing OF the author receives an intelligent and grace
iul interpretation We regret that we cannot speak
at greater length on the merits OF the actors, some
OF whom are Odtlme iavortes, while others are
new faces. Among the latter Miss Rogers
as Galatea, and Mr.. B0niface as Pygmalion are
deserving Of special appreciation.
The following is the fun cast:-Pygmalion, an
Athenan sculptor tnis ;S.p nrsa appearance % IN TINS
patron, Mr. J. H. Stoddart; Leucippe, q soldier,
Mr.; }. B. Polk Agesimos, Chrysos' slave, Mr.. =. n.
Holand Mmos Pygmalion's slave, Mr.. g. +.
Browne; Galatea, an animated statue her nrst
appearance In New York, from the principal London
theatresl, Miss Catherine Rogers; Cynisca, Pygma-
lions wife (her first appearance In this theatre),
Miss Edith Challis Myrinie, Pygmalions sister, Mrs.
Foster; Daphne Chrysos' wife, Nine. Ponisi.
..Pygmalion and Galatean will be continued during
public favor. and If we may accept the audience
last night fairly representative the public verdict
is favorable to long run. No one who desires to
see good play ought to omit visit to Waack's.
They will be repaid by enjoying representation
witty without vulgarity. bright and sparkling with
out word that could Offend the purest soul, with
vein Of satire on humanity that holds up our de-
fects to condemnation in . kindly, but truthful
manner. No play OF equal merit has been pre-
sented for long time on the New York stage.