New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-08
TIE DRAMA.
UNION SQUARE 1HEATER-LED AsTRAY


ferrous subject afforded at the Union Square Theaer
on Saturday evening, la the shape OF a hveact drama
entitled led Astray" This poce was seen by crowded
assemblage. and IL was received with many demonstra
lions of interest and pleasure IL made MT IN iact
and its successful continuance may conhdentv
DO predicted IL found TO be excelohtV
constructed; brilliantly written; mounted with lux
uriously rich scenery and furniture; dressed
with tasteful magn1eence and acted with remarkable
ability II the manner in which things are done IN
theaers OF Importance than the things them
selves nothing but commentator could justly DE
uttered for this effort It's manner IL above reproach
Not its 50uand in these. In all matters the sOul
Is vastly significant than the limbs and outward
neurlshes Led Astray" as we lind II, Is drama en-
eaged the business or famiarzng the popular niind
and especially the minds of young persons who are
the chief supporters of the theaterwith representa-
tive incidents OF intrigue and with the heetc'
unwhoesOme atmosphere of French views on tue suOJect
Of matrimonial infeicty: and 1t seems proper
10 refer to 1t without sympathy aud without
respect Clever DISCUSSES are to be sure, employed
IN the treatment OF theme and arstocrac fragrance
rninges with its malaria, hke camphor at country
funeral The precautions are judicous, but they are
uuderstood-and they are 10 longer efectual. =" Led
Astray" may be unusually brilliant and certainly 10
has emerged IN radiant robes; but when all mas Oeeh
said its favor, it remains nothing more nor less than
a deal of the ancient and rather greasy pack It's
story old the hills. It's chief characters and III
cdents have been hackneyed 10 death Its lesson is
tedousiy trlte It is the statement of case OF hirta
ton with "pstOs aud coffee for two' IL presents TO
studious observance q married woman whose husband
il inatteDtye whose mind is sentimental whose lie Is
vacant and swho longs for tho sympathy Oh KIN
dred sou-mcanIng, thereby, the sort OF male
whom all weeonstued masculine persons justly and
properly contemplate IA miserable tackass' IL tneh
proceeds produce animal and to tange the lady
t,.O u.arsa GInnn Mt
the husband "a Indifferent inclined to nidety. II
paints the temper melancholy, addicted to poetry,
aud habituay occupied in trying to seduce the wives
aud daughters OF his acquaintance. Presently II cunl
mates explosion and duel and then 1t terminates
with tender reconcliation-husband and wife forgiv-
ing each other the appearance of having done wrong
and reaching better understanding aud the prospect
OF happier life. The moral Of all this 10 exceentof
course. 1t Is the seventh commandment reinforced
by the sagac0us injunction to playing with edged
tools There ought not, In this community, at the
present time. to be need Of further theatrical enforce
enf OF pfeceps. Oar people have heard scarcely
ANYTHING else for several years1nd there be such
a thing as "damnable iteration" even OF the tables
Of Noses We venture to think, moreover, that
good plays eau exist-by which mean those decaely
Idea1ed plSqEes q MaA9eEs sass!ssy: aug Naap "a
ture, which are broad enough In scope aud dehnte
enough in application and meaning to he called come
desin which this topic far from being made promi-
nent, shall not be mentioned at all 1t is not the eaG.,
against which objection hod-it Is the fact that the
teaching Is offered Il a moral superuity that brings
with II bad air. There is necessity OF placing de
cayed lobster your dinngtabe in order to convince
your guetts that It's odor is unsavory. That Led
Asray" serves up the Old meats very sklfully is
flct-as already conceded; but does not TO be
fact that ought to induce considerable qualification
of condennatory Judgment II has lie weight, however,
and it fully justihes the appreciation with which the
public has received and will continue 10 this
drama. Three plays precisely subject,
done in this city week" Still Waters" Victims"
aud A LIES Dream = but all OF them together would
excite the lively interest and painful suspense that
aroused by L3d A,tray" rhe secret OF it, spell Is
dramatic treatment The play Is full OF strong situs
tons and OF SURPRISES the underplo OF Recommending
innocent young lovers-is very pleasing and not
word Is wasted in the language The drama from
the French of Octave Feuillet and II translated by
Sir. Boucicault. Whoever wishes with what
an assured step clever authorship con walk
GU tioklish ground may behold the impos
lug spectacle at the Union Square Theater
Mr.. Boucicaut called before the curtain saur-
day night by vocerous applause both at the end OF the
third and the end OF the play aud in the speech
which he finally made he told his auditors give at
least twohrds of the credit whatever pleasure they
had received to his friend Octave Feuillet Mr.. BoucI
caut also understood to say something about pro-
jected revival OF legitimate drama. We not
OF its demise And even II 10 dead fail to per-
ceiye how Mr. Bouccault could manage TO effect It's
suscitation by the tansaling OF FenchIpays Of
doubtful propriey. II is to be remembered though.
that Mr. Bouclcault is Irish gentleman and
joke.-"Led Astray" was acted with a cast Of parts
hereto suboined Miss Rose Eytinge presented a round
aud finished .personation. mclodramatc rather moro
than in the spirit OF comedy full OF subtle graces
timent and vital with womanly emotion The awaken
ing a of the calamitous tragedy which her
,nI fnIf. had,
powerful, and the exposition Of patient tenderness In
however the excision OF the poker business in the
second act together with the six eight illusions TO
the Deity that occur In Arodndes lines. Miss Eyinges
voice, in moments of great excitement, to
pass beyond her control aud the result is harsh disco
nance. Mr. c. Thorne jr., highly distinguished
himself as Rudolph Chaaioec. His manner was
noble, his repose wasNbeautiiaI in graceful
banter Concentrated passion. or and stern
sei-poise-and his delivery or the text, at all times
fluent from the motive OF right feeling. delightfully."-
and rather exceptionally pure. Here in fact, was a
performance based on entirely adequate intelligence
and finished with thorough skill Mr. Stuart Robson rs
Hector PiacIde again exerted the spontaneous charm
his quaint and delicious humor, and likewise rose 10 "A
hi Oh level Of simple manliness and tender maenanpity
froliosome, childish. peted girl sweetly persona
ned by Miss Kate Claxton. Mr.. Claude Burroughs mani
tested xpected and praise worthy Of self
command, grace polish, and unconscious drollery.
knd!of Sir Lucius-turned- BLACKBOARD humorously
acted by Mr.. Montgomery. Miss Weathersby
presented = q handsome adventures, with u
taste In the OF strong coors and with
tact In blending refinement and artihciaty that are
extraordinary. And couple OF hostile aud demonstrs
tive old women capitally portrayed by Mrs. VIII
kins and Miss Mesayer One OF the oieverest elements
in this play handling OF feminine dupoity Spite
and thinly-vaed sarcasm-the pin point that Ia |
hidden IN rose-eaves. In this IN other things,
perceive Mr. Boucieault's preemuent skill Neverthe.
ess the appearance OF Octave Feuets name upon the