The New York herald., 1873-09-09
PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS.
Wallack's--ssThcC Colleen Bawn."

wanack's--ssThe Colleen Bawn'"
TIE production OF .'The Colleen Bawn" last nignt
1t Waliack's was not an absolute ana 'unqua'heu
artistic success although Mr. shei Barry upper
,onaton of Miles Na-Coppaieen was AS TINS was
me pr,ncipal event of the evening" perhaps IL Is as
Neu IN sav all that concerns II nrst. Beautiful as
ve an remember Mr.. Boucicault's representation
Of the same part 10 have been, MI Barry sustains
so,uparison with il. He has not perhaps as much
auctnousness as Mr.. Bouccaut, but his humor Is
40 dry. so quaint, spontaneous, so UNAFFECTED
n ,s so graduated TO ADMIT OF pathetic touches
and those little serious passages which give dig
atty to an otherwise eccentric creation that even
,ne high expectations that had been formed OF Mr..
Barry were realized II was at first feared that he
was one part actor, incapable OF doing anything
rise respectfully because he had acted Michael
Feeney 10 perfection. The few moments succeed .
ing his ntrance on the stage dispelled this lear,
however and every fresh scene ratified the en-
dorsement that he early won. Yet we do not think
that his Interpretation Of Miles VIII fntagito as
pubic public as his Michael Eeeney did for
the simple reason that the last mentioned
1t, and appeals to a set of emotions more firmly
rooted than mere tenderness and sympathy. AS
whole, however, Mr.. barry's Miles deserves TO be
emphasized as distinct piece OF character build
ing, the parts oil which are well cOmpacted and the
esasenabLs OF which Is symmetrical and striking.
The part OF ELY O'Connor entrusted 20 MISS
Kate Frazer Fox, and in this respect the artistic
success OF the evening was somewhat curtaed
~ fex we woce @ tS
mands oi the r0te, has passionless and inexpres-
ave lace, and cvinced in twenty little ways
that she Ia a novice in this line OF
business She is more robust Ely than we have
been in the habit Of admiring, and though her
tuned to that pitch which makes one cease for the
time to lament the absence OF old 1avorites Mr..
diicult part ior an actor unamiiiar with it to do
Justice to on short notice; Nine. Ponsl performed
Mrs. Cregan with the requisite dignity, dashed
with that cruelty which could connlve at deed OF
violence; and Miss Kitty Blanchard brought all
accessory vivacity to the role OF Ann Chute.
The Doll Drama.
nisvaguely rumored tnat Mr.. McDonough and Mr..
Earnshaw have brought the Royal Marionettes to
Robinson Hall for the sake Of showing the New York
pubic what good acting is like and of elevating
and purifying the stage. II this is so we certainly
ought to feel obliged to these gentlemen, for their
work is only continuation of the intention OF Mr..
James Steele Mackaye, when couple OF years
ago, he endeavored at the little 81. James Theatre
70 illustrate new school of art. Mr.. Mackaye was
pupil OF Delsarte and Mr.. McDonough and Mr..
Earnshaw evidently apostles of Mr.. Mackaye.
Nr. McDon0ugh has been an actor himself familiar
With all the grades of the old school acting
IT'S primer up to its Pentateuch. We who speak to
ron have seen him play Brutus in man.
aer that Mr.. Davenport need not despise.
and dance, in saucer petticoats, pas seal with
an epicene grace which the only Leon
might envy. II any man knows the heighth and
depth OF dramatic potentiality surely it must be a
man like this, with classic tragedy forming one
susp of his crescent capabilities, and the wench
business constituting the other. Mr.. McDonough
saw that the New York, that is to say the Amer-
tan, stage, was in perlous condition. He saw
that too many of our stock actors sticks, and
that too many OF our star actors were sticklers,
and he kindly rushed to the rescue. For our part;
as We said before we appreciate his intention. We
snld not know how low nesh and blood had fallea
until we saw how high tdntoCcihi could RISE We
do not believe that all Washington could show an
instance OF wrepulling put 10 better account.
becomes interesting to see mariOnettes that
can. True, they have as yet attempted
Stresy: bnt having piyaed Fox Lydia Thomp n
and Billy Birch on their own ground, who shall say
that the more serious drama shall not be success
fully appropriated by them next? Since perform.
ances are given by them every afternoon, there is
no reason why our actors and actresses should not
70 to Robinson Hall in squads. Mr.. James steele
Mackaye histrionic materialist He geom
etrlzed emotion and measured with compass and
dramatic spirit-eve in his pocket with which to
determine the horizontal lines OF art You might
have counted with ,,n mathematical h precision how
many times he rolled his eyes in Hamlet, and
how often he cured his lips in Monaldl. he
seemed to ignore dramatic inspiration and possibly
believed that thought was the simple result of
molecular action. He placed great faith in rules
and training and undertook TO turn out actors by
the gross. Messrs. McDonough and Earnshaw have
made still more audacous attempt and tried TO
prove the innate superiority of puppets over poor
nesh and blood Nevertheless cannot get over
our prejudices IN lavor OF humanity. We stick to
that marriage OF matter and spirit called man. and
insist that, until death them do part, it is only
humane to do all in ones power to raise
and benefit them. There are actors on the
New York stage who are no worse than the Royal
Marlonettes and a few who are a great deal bet
ter; and SHALL therefore, cling to the hope that
In time they may become so Infinitely superior
hat h..fu tl,a ,a1Il
slble. Just at present we think tnat In certain
spects the Robinson Hall management has the best
OF the argument. Its stock company does all it is
advertised TO do and that is more than can be
said OF most stock companies. The Marionettes
see them open their mouths while your flesh and
blood actor opens his mouth perpetually, but sell
dom says anything as 1t ought to be said. We do
not think the DOH drama will do much more enl-
cient work than the scientific drama did, in super
seding the present mode of acting; but it will have
served an excellent purpose If 1t enables some Of
our actors to see themselves as Others them,
and so begin the work OF reform Meanwhile the
Marionettes are delightful entertainment ior the
little ones Next to "Robinson Crusoc,n the best
thing you can give them is Robinson Han.
Bowery Theatre.
new three act sensational drama, with the
startling title of marked for Life,n was given at
the Bowery Theatre, in order to give an opportu-
nifty to Mr.. George France an old javorite OF the
East side, for an exhibition of his histrionic and
melodramatic powers To say that he pleased his
ucdTcIs WOulu praise luuceu lOI lc WAS
appiauded to the echo and did not want for most
enthusiastic announcement from ms audience,
who also seemed convused by the farce OF the
.Sheep Steaers," which Immediately preceded the
drama.
Theatre COmiquc.
This wen known and popular resort on Broad
way was crowded TO overfowing, usual, last
evening, several hundred people being turned
away from the doors for want even Of standing
room. tremendous bill OF novelties was pre-
sented to the patrons OF the Comioue among
of hs