New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-11
THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS THEATER.
THE NEW aAGDAIizS.

THE NEW aAGDAL@S
On Saturday evening, the 9th inst. the
drama OF Tho New Magdalen" was presented NJ
Booths Theater. II has been brought forward az a
stopgap to MI the Saturday nights during Mr.. Jefsr-
sons en- gaeement when that actor does not appear IL
was SEEM upon the occasion named. by small assem-
baee the theater being considerably less than half
filed 1t takes the shape OF fouraet piece, based,
course, on the recent and much-discussed novel Of
wikie Collins. The name OF The adapter IL nos mea-
toned 1t was set upon Mr.. Booths stage with new
scenery painted by Mr. T. q. Glessing and was acted
by eleven persons whom its parts were distributed
as follows: Mercy Aer7iek. Miss Bella Pateman.
Grace Roseberry Miss Agge Weaver; Ho-aes
Hotnerof, Mr. F. q. Maynard; Ionnfius Wetzef,
Mr.. II. A. Weaver; STviHe, Mr.. N. W.
Decker; ArnauL, Mr. Learock Mar. Mr. Gorham Lady
Janet Roy, Miss Mary Wells; Julian Grdy. MI Joseph
wheelock; Officer Of Police, Mr.. J. Taylor James. Mr.
c. Rosne These persons may be said to constitute tho
strength Of Mr.. j. b. Booths dramatic company sev-
era of them are understood to from Boston
In which Boston viii have reason TO be more cheer
full than II was. We congratulate Boston We also con-
graduate Mr.. Booth. II these. indeed, be his choice
spirits leads marvellous theatrical organization 20
many dull individuals In group constitute positive
prodigy and do less than admire It. The Effect
that these people wrought upon the play OF The New
Magdalen" was excellent IL Is heavy play
In itself; but, under tho treatment which IL re-
ceved. 1t became pondeTous We could DOT wisk
happier result for the respectable stage than that an
dramas OF this queer character should get at the start
the benefit Of the Weaver family and Miss Bella Pate
man. Anything more salutary in hygtenic point OF
VIEW could scarcely be conceivedunless perhaps 1t
we're vigorous exercise OF the illustrative talent Of Mr..
F. G. Maynard, Mr.. Learock. Mr. Gorham, and MI q
Rosne Altogether these forces leave the carboc acid
Of criticism entirely in the shade Upon the manner In
which they disinfected "The New Magdalen we do not
feel that particular comment f. necessary. Mr. Joseph
xUho Mary WpIla Nelson
hIndered the process little by manfestng natural
feeling skill in action, and interesting attributes OF
character. But they were unable 10 defeat tns
Wholesome result-and when the performance
had ended there nothing left OF the play.
The New Magdalen" IL dead. Funeral cere-
monies may be performed it, now and
them but the will be few; and the sooner Mr.
Booth gets 1t buried the better will be for his peace oil
mind say nothing Of the atmosphere or MS theaer
That theater has hitherto been place to when mea
have felt they could take their mothers wiVes ana
daughters where their families would not Do invited
10 contemplate the OF courtesans In quest OF mar
rage OF to speculate the and the cure OF tho
social evil Mr. Booth might 90 great deal worse Than
TO keep it so. The indications that be Will We do
not purpose this tme TO dlate upon the subject OF
"rbe New Magdalen." 1t is the same unpleasant SUD
ject which, under various conditions, has been OF late
so often obtruded from the stagewh the bad purpose
of making money through appeals to low order OF the
public sentiment and curiosity. In o religious hu-
mantaran and medical point OF view IL Is important
but IL out place in theaters and ito introduction
there is offensive and perncious. We are aware
of the doctrine that any theme lis suitable
to the drama, out Of which dramatic sua-
tions can be wrought We do not accept IT, IL is the
doctrine OF literary cobbers and not Of creative artists
That is very small aud kind Of art which deas
with human mseres sake OF their dramatic
effects Besides these agonies OF the struggling soul
and these distressing complications OF social and
domestic relationship invariably been treated In
the shaowest TO moral and social ethics In
all the plays about the Ecrng Sister that have been
thrust before our public this theatrical epidemic OF
erratcism began No thoughtful, hnd-hearted person
who really desires to help the repentant ana reclaim
the sinful stands in Of such pieces, or derives
ANYTHING from them but WEAKNESS aud disgust; wnle
40 far as the average spectator is concerned nothing
comes of them but muddled notions OF morals-and
etbandkerchIes for the wash Our stage should e
in better business It would be easy, In dealing with the
story of Mercy TYick indicate the fictitious charac
ter OF its premises the forced assumptions OF crcuu
stance in the herOines behalf the false statements that
are loosely hurled against society," the Hogca AZ
tempt deduce and enforce general doctrine from an
exec ptonal experience, IL not from totally Impossible
set OF conditions and the drift OF the whole matter 10
state of blind emotion and brandy-punchy humanitar
rianism. But the topic is somewhat stale. and Mr.
Booths presentInent OF the drama Is not sufficiently -
porant warrant the trouble. II seems 10 be falr
working drama, though prOhX and prOsy; ana that 10
tue OF the matteI-eXcept as we have seld, mat
"The New Magdalen" is dead. We shall not hold a
wake over remains OF this dear departed May her
rest be peaceful-and perpetual.