The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-15
A M u S E NJ E rs.


A large audience greeted the reproduction Of
''Under the Gaslight" at the Grand Opera heuse
last night. 1t Is unnecessary TO discuss again
the merits OF the piece. this having been done with
sufficient thoroughness at the time OF its first pro-
duction at what IS now the Fifth Avenue Theatre
in Broadway. One thing, at least, was Illus
trated by Its performance last night-namely,
that q successful local drama does not soon
lose its hold upon the New York public. The ad.
vantage Of this play is that 1t is purely local. both
in scenery and in action, and is not married by in
congruities springing from the following OF o
foreign model. To this advantage perhaps 1t owes
its vitality. The piece Is well set at the Grand
Opera House, and the famous railroad effect is ex-
night that Miss Cary tainted on the stage as the
curtain fell upon the rescue OF Smokey. The
young lady had never seen the piece, and, actress
as she is, she was overcome by the realism OF
the rushing railroad, train. Some OF the
acting, too, is unusually excellent. Mrs John
exactly suited to her genius, and she seems to
revel in the character as If it were joyful reality
She shows in the part all the eXguiSleness of bur-
lesque to people who do not know what wretched-
ness is ana AL the degradation of poverty as it
Ms Mnrx by "a g wno was brought
ness and skill, but fails short OF the emo
tional p power OF which Which the part Is capable
are the Counsellor Rowe of Mr.. Meade,
Peanuts OF little Jennie Yeamans. Mr. Henry Crisp
deserves word OF strong praise for an excellent
messenger. In parts which do not require much
vigorous acting, but whrk allow tenderness and
simplicity, he shows hinl-A possessed OF great
merits. Mr.. j. w. Jennings played the Signal Man
at Shrewsbury Bend very nicely, and the piece
passed OF with much Gctdt.
Niblo's-The Vokes Family.
hearty welcome was given the Vokes family at
Niblos last evening, upon the occasion OF their
first appearance since their return from Europe.
The programme OF entertainment vouchsafed in
return is already quite familiar to the public from
having been made so during long and prosperous
run last season. and its successful repetition for
the ensuing two weeks Is insured from the
guarantee OF last evenings performances. The
VOkes famy's speciality "The Bellies of the
Kitchen" written and adapted Tor their exclusive
enactment, belongs to the class OF amusements
known as "Vareties''-much or little as the word
may csmprehend-and as such finds admirers and
patrons among both those who come down from
the standard drama and those who go up from the
spice and sensation OF east side theatrcals. The
several sew, members OF the family or company have
short absence abroad. On the contrary, many
touches here and there in the incidents OF the un
making medley of concert, burlesque and ballet
show signs of q revsional effort to add to the at
tractive features of the entertainment. The per-
torrance was preceded by the pretty little comedy
OF "Orange Blossoms"
Union Square Theatre-"Frou Frou."
Miss Agnes Ethel played the title role In this
French play, adapted for our stage by Mr.. Augustin
Daily, for the first time this season at the Union
Square Theatre last night. Three years ago it
saved the Filth Avenue Theatre, then In It's COM
parative infancy, from utter dissolution. "Frou
Frou" was the first play that brought the
Fifth Avenue Theatre up to the standard of pop
uiar as well As artistic 1t enjoys at present
The talent and foresight OF the manager must be
regarded as the handspring OF the prosperity Of the
theatre, but in "Frou-Froun the turning point OF
success must always be considered. The principal
roles OF the play were filled at the Union
Square on the occasion of the first rcpresen-
tation in this city. Agnes Ethel played the title
role with all that emotional power ana tenderness
which have made her stage representations
popular. Harkins and Parkes represented their
old parts without any diminution OF effect. Miss
Griswold was but poor substitute for Miss New
ton. La Baronne was very much inferior in the
hands OF Miss Messenger to the representation Of
Mrs. Gilbert, and the other characters were about
equal to the original. Take the play as a popular
success there is very little difference in the repre-
sentation OF II at the Union Square Theatre last
night and It's first production at the Fifth Avenue
Theatre.
Musical and matte Notes.