The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-24
BOOTHS THEATRE.


After years Of absence Dion Boucicault and his
wife, nee Agnes Robertson, reappeared on the Ameri
can stage last night. The warm welcome extended
to these artists gave evidence of the deep impress
sion they had made on the public mind something
more than decade ago. There was no mistaking
the heartness Of the reception accorded by large
and intelligent audience. 1t was spontaneous and
real, not requiring the organized efforts OF the
claQueurs, who are rapidly becoming part of the
organization of every well appointed theatre Time
has dealt gently with the charming Agnes Robert
son, who, as the Colleen Bawn, won her way to all
hearts. Her form has lost some of its ightness and
elasticity, and the features have acquired certain
frmness of outline. These changes indicate the
march OF time without in anything detracting from
the ladys power to interest her audience.
With Dion time has not been so merciful
but the changes wrought are not visible on the
STAGE After the serious inf ction OF society plays
from which we have suffered 1t is quite refreshing
TO find ourselves In company with real men and
mes SEES We have a right to be obliged to
Mr.. Boucicault for an escape from cav
region of flesh and blood; but most Of all. for
an introduction into pure atmosphere. where
there are no dawdng men and fashionable, silly
women whose main business In life Is to
break the seventh commandment No DOUBT
the class who support the society play
gusted with the picture Of peasant life
that contrasts so vorably with the hollow and in
not aoSeer pleasant The weak
the violent and the vicious sides of the Irish
6ana are IS il Sas oeen sn done as nv
placable enemy. only man deeply conversant
with every phrase Of Irish life and thought could
people as Dion Bouccault has done. Fortunately
''Arrah Ma Pogue" Is not true as picture Of con-
detas but s there '" Cam be Gu little aues
tion that he has depicted Irish life
the close Of the eighteenth century
of brutal penal laws condemning them to ignorance
and barbarism had made them, with the inherent
through. The characters are full Of pathos and
humor-light Of heart, yet capable Of de.
mnSed ana that it is acu for
foreigner to know whether the speakers serious
not We are not quite sure that the full force Of
not conversant with Ireland and her PEG.
Pile The Dialogue which I
political allusion which for the most part will be
lost on an American audience The tribute the
s m aa 10 s vale IN to thy
passions OF the people is the best tribute that
could be offered to its emotional WORTH Some Of the
passages of idylic tenderness, and, though the
language Is always that OF the peasantry, there
runs through it vein of poetry that is not often
found in more pretentious productions The play
has some of the defects that seem Inherent In tho
romantic drama. There is a tendency to sen. .
satiOnallsm that shocks the admrer of the
effects'' are kept within the bounds OF possibility,
and this is all we have right to exact. The way
beyond ali praise so far as the scenery is concerned
Two scenes especially deserve nOtice-the opening
one BY moonght" and the watch
are simply admirable, and we should be mig.
gard indeed If we refused to accord to them OUT
cauit Mr. Boucicault and Mr. Shiel Barry, the cast
Is remarkably weak Indeed, 4 we except Miss
there was not one actor who acquitted
himself in a manner to deserve mention.
stupid supernumeraries who are expected to do
actors work at this theatre that they submit with
gretted, however, that the interest of the play is
seriously compromised by the incapacity Of those
filling important roles Among the gentlemen
bill We think We recognized the familiar face
Of Mr. Fennowposslby this was intenqsa ts as sg grim
ception OF shiei Barry t was altogether too much
honor to announce the other debudnts. II 10 quite
81 rs to o15 enter Mr Into y aser Of a
naturalness and ve've which made .Leni
in ali their force, with the added experience
they have gained in their long and successful
Sr dot to speak with @ Justice as Without T
ming the danger of being considered extravagant.
The picture OF abJect cowardice, meanness
never been excelled on the stage Every shade of
the baser human passions is sketched rapidly but
firmly with master hand. There not phase of
feeling suggested by the different situations in
which the wretched informer finds himself but are
reflected with marvellous vividness in the
facial expression or the gesture of this
artist He has lifted the character of Feeny
out OF the common rut, and made 1t q dramatic
personality that will deserve to live long the
drama exists, as reflection Of the weaknesses,
passions and crimes Of men. The audience were
not long in discovering Mr.. Barry's talent, and
gave frequent evidence Of their appreciation lie
Is already accepted as a popular favorite.