New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-20
THE DRAMA.
NIBLo's GARDEN-THE BLACK CROOK.


Upon the cOtemp0rary passion for Legs il
is impossible to produce any effect by throwing cold
water; and therefore Mondays tempest OF rain was
miserable failure considered hindrance TO tho
evenings successful opening Of Nblos Garden with tho
spectacle OF "The Black Crook" The public had been
pretty thoroughly soaked 10 its skim and pretty
thoroughly tried to its temper: but the public was
there-and there numbers as almost TO warrant
alusion to leaves m vaambrosa or flies on cows
tail IL came early. and it stayed late, and 1t
steamed all the time: "And all we're gay ana
wandering. And all exclaimed to all they met That
never the bring so gay feast OF roses YET
II we say there wasn't room enough In the house fof
syerplated usher to strike attitude we shall forcibT
indicate condition. and we add that the vast
multtude-chieHy maes-remaned for six hours IN
Russian bath of hot vapor and patience absorbing It's
Tinse and broodng its Leg We shall clearly denote
that the revival of The Black Crook was great pop
uar success-precsely such as managers love- and
precisely such one in this instance, as doubtless. It's
managers confidently anticipated
Upon the play of "The Black Crook there has been
liberal expression of opinion, ranging over period or
nearly seven years. No literary skeleton OF equal film
ness before attracted equal amount OF atten-
consideration No piece has ever succeeded on inc
stage that so little to itself and 80 much 10 limbs
and outward fourishes" Of the We do not hero
purpose to add any to the already monumental
cairn Of commentary this hollow and worthless COM
position No intelligent observer needs TO be told that
in point of literary workmanship. it Is like rotten
string that weakly holds together handful Of opas
nor at the time that /: has utility as vehicle for
scenic display. These facts we're long since us
cerned and enough say that they have now been
discerned again. Upon the novel Incidents though that
attended refreshed the representation OF the
familiar spectacle "a FEY words Of comment seem essential.
These incidents were numerous and often effective The
fresh scenery. by Mr.. W. vOegtlin be named first
prominent source of pleasure The best painting
was In the grottoscene The cataract was finely done,
but the erotesque accessories OF the ncantaonscena
we're extravagant to be vulgar The terracescene
was marred by many straight lines and by gaudy
gold The music was mixed. Two OF the songs-' The
Political Whip and kissing were supremey silly,
and ought to be discarded The I" Reve OF the SreDs
proved tame. The ballet chiefly consisted OF curostes OF
homeliness Not TO speak with undue levty on SO I'M
pOrtant subject venture to note that the KING pins
were those Of Miss Pauline Markham The best dancing
was done by the Kiralfy Troupe. Niles. Giavassi ana
Bopi made their first appearance and were welcomed
and they bid fair to become favores. The former Is
pretty blonde the latter Is homey brunette ooth
are little and slender and both entirely proficient IN
their artagle graceful, spirited. and characteriste
dancers The medley dance In the fourth act was ike
beautiful kaleidoscope and indeed this act was one Oh
the best variety shows ever given In New-fork Inc
London Madrigal Boys deliciousy in accord. and
were three times recalled upon the scene. The bes,
way TO enjoy their vocalisrs however, Is 20 listen To
| them with your eyes closed. The Twin slsters
| verday - said to DO from Persia performed
with grace, and with prodgious skill for such
tiny people, upon the trspeze, and were
admired to the fullest extent OF popular vocferation.
They did not seem to be girls and. whether girls
boys they might be put better than 10 this sort of
entertainment ~ Felix Regamey, the carcaturist.
made a good impression, with his deity -executed
carcatures OF Hayemeyer and Grant-the former OF
which was excellent portrait, and each OF
4 hatf Mnee
Morgans Aegoncal Pictures-constituting panorama
were shown at half-pas o'clock. They based. az
to ideas, "reminiscences OF Kaulbach. Couture and
AIRY Schafer Their subjects are VINE women, wealth.
and power The hgurepainting is bold the action Wig
orous the color vivid. The handling suggests the auda
cous, sweeping style of Dore-but there is difference
between the free action of conscious power and the rec
less dash OF adventurous effort The details Of these
works are ragged-but no than is allowable in
STAG scenery Their total effect is startling and in
pressve and they may be called the gem of the pageant
One of the pleasing incidents was remarkably fine
cOrnet solo the overture. The flower nuisance was
carried further than have ever known 1t TO be
heaer-persons the front row Of the orchestra being
forced to and make way for the passage Of noun
tans OF floral work. In the cast OF parts there no
novel feature of interest Mr. Morton has become HIS
toric az Herzog, and his advent was the signal fos
hearty plaudits. These were shared by Mr. George
Atkins as Greppo Vulgarity was supplied by the ugly
Miss Sudlow. and inanity by the pretty Miss Kelsey
Mr.. Brutone, Pufengtnts, burlesqued the stereo
| typed FalstaG OF the stage. The assembly wa
said to be the largest that was ever attracted by
this spectace-the receipts being s4o The play closed
with tabeau OF Immortality-ypical OF the probable
run OF the piece.
| Upon the general effect OF "The Black Crook" we
should be glad to record favorable Judgment Where
SO much pial has embarked and 40 much LABOR
many kinds. has been expended. and where to very
| tent ne
been addressed through proper mediums and tshed
by innocent means It is to be regretted that there should
exist the for objection and the occasion for cen
| sure But both OF them appear In reference TO the
display at Nibos Garden and It would not DO just TO
Withhold an explicit avowal of the fact Making all duo
allowance therefore, for whatever taste and doicscy
have been manifested in the treatment OF adiuncts
indicate, record again the opinion that
the influence OF this popular pageant Is upon
the whole. pernicious. Wrong. indeed has not
been done In Details nor Is 1t out OF par
tcuars that the evil may be said 10 How.
The prevalence, accordingly, OF different ideas in man
agement, would work remedial effect. IL IL not q
question Of the fabric of dresses the length OF drape
res. The mischief is inherent the thing Itself it Is
intoxieauon TO the fire TO the llagnstion
a stmulant TO sensuaiy-and, surely, as THIS world
goes. that a craving monster that needs no smuant
To those who near, and know wei. u may I've
bum-Irum matter Our ind yidual taste finds It hollow
and glaring-a mockery and tedious preiense But un
not by ITS effect on exceptional spectators that It's true
| quality is 10 be learned aud judged The Asdeielr
Morols and Mercy Merricks OF the stagc-weii-
dressed fragrant, forlorn and pathetic-wouids
| nevertheless utterly fail TO draw tears IRON
| the Metropolitan Police. Their strength " ia
their enjoyment protective iluson and TO peops
who SEQ them they arecoarse sesb, Ignorant GOT
did and dirty--no illusion possible. II Is the average
specator whose scnsblites aroused whose reason
ia confused and whose sympathy Is attracted 30 witn
~ nac,acl, IN which tha chief alurlng element Ia the