New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-18
THE DRAMA.
UNION SQUARE THEATER - OPENING NIGHT
AGNES.

UNION SQUARE THEATER - OPENING NIGHT
AGNES.
Last night was cheerful one at the new
comedy theater in Union-square. The house was com
fortaby filed not densely crowded. and the auditorj
was one OF unusually interesting character, in point o.
intelligence and refinement 1t Is evident that the thea
ter takes its new start under good auspices and viii
general good Will 1t has in the course Of its recess o'
transition, been handsomely reurnished and redeco
rated The prevailing colors white, pink and gold
and the air OF the place chaste and elegant AT pro
vious times we have mentioned the details connected
with the reorganization OF this theater both in its bust
ness manag cement aud its dramatic companyi and We
have sufficiently specified the nature and drift OF iu
policy. 1t aims, in word, TO take ranl
with the leading theaters of the capt
tai Last night 1t gave us an earnest
of success. commencing with clever. though rather
thin piece OF comedy. sumptuously set and IN certain
particulars, acted with emotional earnestness and
symmetrical artistic method unusual in similar efforts OF
recent vogue. "Agnes is the title Of the play thai
was presented, and Miss Agnes Ethel personates
its heroine; and it is but justice TO state thai
both play and player greatly pleased the spectators
There much applause and it was obviously genuine
we may add that, response to this ebuition OF the
popuarlo 10y the curtain lifted after each of tho
acts in which the comedy is comprised. People are
easily peasedand that fortunate circumstance
for most Of the contemporary dramatists Agnes 10
not q production about which we incline
write very seriously. Indeed it Is impossible 70
avoid the conviction that thought upon the mush
room of society plays that has lately sprung up
is thought wasted. The Supreme Court OF the United
States said Marshall, may he presumed To know some
thing and the play going public Is entitled TO portion
| at least of similar courtesy. When we have said
that young men walk about, in these plays, In
all the agonies OF patent leather boots and
| black trousers; that their genteel pedestranism
| is assisted by young ladies in all manner
OF wonderful and superfuous founces and furbelows;
and that general impression conveyed by their bah
BILE s that number Of idiots are lowering in the
| fines Of adultery have eptomized all the facts
Agnes a much better piece than Others Of its kind
because it from the pen of an author who knows
| both how TO construct and how to write but itA
| kind Is unmistakable. 1t asks the public
| attention TO set OF circumstances which some
people may find impressive but which. to our taste.
are little more comical. Agnes is French lady,
and Stephen Is her husband. Stephen loves ballet
dancer, the OPERA and prepares TO eloe win her
Agnes ascertaning these facts, conryes 10 cause ms
arrest and incarceration in private madhouse and thus
prevents him from committing adultery Stephen gets
out however and home, suspicious OF Agnes ana
rather murderous in his nenations. But the brother
OF 0es explains ALL and the husband and wife are re-
united in domestic felicity. We know not what other
incidents there may be in the French original Doubt
less there has been application OF intellectual promo
choraum to that composition. Az any rate the Engsn
version or Agnes Is Tree from tdut-dnu WIS uVh"se
the observer, long tired with Gallo indebcaoy Ia the
drama look with gentle lenence on the exrayasant
improbabiity OF ground work We should be better
pleased indeed II there were hint OF matrimonial mn
deity in the matter That string surely has been harpeo
upon enough. Cotemporaneous dramatisEs. however.
seem firmly persuaded that adultery Is tho cher ooeu-
patton OF society," and that they under some sort oil
| obligation TO announce views on the topic OF mati-
mony; and until either their minds are enlightened OF
| thelr consciences relieved, We presume tho innic
ton must be endured. Let US be thankful uaS
| I'm Agnes" the oInnipresent theme is lightly
| handled. That 10 q pretty tough scene, pcr'
| hans I'm which the noble males are represented
as roaring and snorng around the dancer In her dress
ngroom NJ the Grand Opera and the little aneodote Oh
her stocking does not serve TO impar exalted views
OF the masculine gender; but In general as we have W.
tmated the scent OF vice whih OF JaspGe W tea-
roses aud we need not complain OF IT, l might be urged 81
against the authenticity OF this work as comedy that
the porrature Of an exceptional case OF infatuaton
not picture OF average life manners even IN France
| where the sceno is laid and " might mrthef
be urged that the warning " married poo
| plo suggested by She story Is whely anu
| even ridioulously needless-such people peius
entirely aware OF their obligations and responsibility.
| without looking upon silly nobeman woo wants 70
leave beautiful wife and run away WIN u"noer 'nas
talks az II she had pins her mouth We VIII NOT insis
though upon those qualifications Lou IL DC admitted.
ON tho contrary that out Of this incredible state OF
| social relations Nj sAFdca has wougat severn