The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
THE LONDON STAGE.
Revival q "Mnsy"-0ur cs.r Lives; Hun
drsd are Fwgssssa- Ordeal By raueh'-Rs-
vsrsing tAs Customary ordsr Il Things-
sardeu In English Irn-Inro-
ductoa Of Saturday Mau-
theatrical Gossip
LoSpoH, May II, 1872.

Ausou1c1A o00AP
LoSpox May II, 1872.
The revival OF Lord Iytton's comedy OF Money"
ut the Prince OF Wales Theatre Is probably the most
important dramatic event OF the week. Two and
thirty years--eteui rsg1oes-havc elapsed since the
original production OF this play at the Haymarket,
with Mr.. Macresdy, Mrs. Glover Miss T. Horton,
Miss Faucit, Mr. Webster, Mr. Lacy and Mr.. wrench
in the leading characters, and though the piece is
very far indeed nom perfection 1t has, neverthe-
less, certain enduring elements OF popularity which
have insured It's continuance upon the stage from
that time to this. Meanwhile many better play
has vanished never TO appear again, 50 true Ii II
that fame Is lottery and success less matter OF
merit than Of good fortune. "One Cesar lives;
q hundred are forgotten" Full many poet,
dramatist and novelist, rich In talent and erudi-
ton, fails to win distinction. while Mr. Upper has
achieved greatness and, what In this mercenary
world Is better than greatness-wealth-by such
ignoble twaddle as "Proverbial Philosophy"
thing OF Tupper's ia groan forever; yet Tupper Is
prosperous, well-to-do sleek, fat, comfortable, the
idol OF the ladies' and prime favorite at the British
Court Many man whose pens Topper were I'M
worthy to mend is sad, sick and sorry without
shilling In his pocket the prospect OF dinner on
Sunday Such Jade il Fortune. Similar inconss-
tences are OF frequent occurrence upon the stage.
Plays Of no inconsiderabe merit are often con-
signed to oblivion, while trashy productions enjoy
long and jubilant career. Lord Lytton liz a man OF
genius an excellent novelist, good speaker and
something of poet; but he Is not dramatist In
any exalted or genuine sense OF the word Yet he
has written at least two plays which have become
stock pieces upon the English stage
'4THE LADY OF LYONS" AND money"
The former Is really about as ilmsy production
~. I'm latf IL
cdedly superior Is only work OF second rate
merit. 1t is exceedingly STACEY and full OF stted
sentiment; but 1t has some good points, which have
procured for it popularity which appears to defy
lapse Of time and change OF circumstance In the
first place the name is eminently attractive. The
very word MONEY! Is enough to make mems
cheeks nush, their eyes brighten and their hearts
beat quicker. In the next place the characters In
the comedy though not always perfectly true to
nature, are for the most part endowed with anus
ing pecularities; the dialogue, though occasionally
artificial and inflated, is at times pungently satiri
CAL and, finally, the moral of the play commends
itself to everybodys approval.
IT'S very good world to live In,
To lend, to spend, or to give in;
IT'S the very worst world that ever was known
Such Is the lesson inculcated by Lord Lyttons
comedy and most people will admit that there is
not only rhyme, but reason In 1t. The play has
been brought out at the little theatre in
Tottenham Court road with singular beauty and
elegance of appointment, and IL Is acted with all
the crspness, brlancy and finish characteristic
of Mr.. Bancroft's company. Mr.. Coghlan, who,
"take him for all and ALL" as Hamlet took his
father ia, perhaps, the most promising young actor
on the London stage, plays Evelyn to perfection.
Mr.. Bancroft is admirable Sir Frederick Blunt, a
lahguid "exQuisite," who picks his steps dainty
through life, Affects q supercilious air towards
every not In his own set, and has always an in
superable diffienty with the letter "Rn Miss
Fanny Brough acts with equal fervor and refine
ment as Clara Douglas, and Mrs. Bancroft, as
Georgina, displays oil that delicacy and lady
like archness and all that truth and finish
which he has made emphatically her own. Mr.. Hare
is splendid Sir John vesey, fussy, choleric, sell
fsh old man, and Mr. George Honey is exceedingly
humorous as Graves. Lord Lytton was present
during the performance OF the comedy, and on the
fall OF the curtain was loudly called for, but he did
not care to be trotted out and beat asty retreat
The piece is charmingly put upon the stage The
two scenes by Mr.. George Gordon, the saloon In
nearly perfect in their way. The gaming scene is
admirably cOntrived, every person. down to the
most unimportant member playing a rubber in the
background being in his proper place, and all look
ing like gentlemen, and not like 'ssupes in Sunday
clothes. Even the footmen were quiet, gentle ex-
lat raae s s II no
looking out on the clear night, showing the West
minister clock tower u2inated y marvellous marvellous and
makes one wonder how 1t could be possible TO con-
trive 1t upon SO small stage. "
CORDIAL BY TOUCH"
The long-promised play by Mr. Richard Lee, EMU,
Saturday night at the Queens Theatre reminds one
Of one Of those supernatural beings In Mohamed's
snow and the other half Of fire, Yet, wonderful to
say, the snow melts not, neither Is the fire extn
guished The earlier scenes Of the drama are rigid
and romantic ferVOr. The piece Is In five acts The
plot is LAID IN France and there ID sufficient local
color to at the story to the scene but In the hearty
manly, downright tone OF sentiment there Is snG- |
gest0n unmstakabc of British origin. The tale |
told by the author is a simple one, but absurd in
dramatic opportunities 1t may be thus summa-
A young widow, Nine. Coralie IA sculptor In
Pars), whose noble disposition has been a little |
embttered by an unhappy marriage, becomes the |
central figure Of group Of lovers to whose schemes
she is in all instances more or less accessory. |
Among these lovers Lucien Ferron and Hortense |
Rouselle are comparatively prominent figures. |
The young lady is the sister OF Jules RouselIe cash
Ter to the elder Farron, banker, who is indignant
hopes are centred, should marry near relative Of
his e'nploye. The banker finds his son obstnately
bent upon this % and
to his son B.! the cashier. This error triaing in
is grave under its legal aspect and
the remOrseless banker, in order to pre-
vent t., his sons marriage with IL, the sister
event of such union taking place, with prosecu-
ton for felony. Meanwhile Nine. Coralie, the fair
the bust of the eiaer Fcrron, has closely watched
his demeanor, and connecting 1t with certain facts
Of S 70 e wc fd
might give her power to force his assent to the hap
piness OF the betrothed pair At the end OF two In
ceeds In extortng from him the long hidden truth
that he Is an escaped galley slave the title cor