The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
The New Piece, s'rhe Alhambra," at tho
Olympic.

The New Piece, serhe Alhambra," at tho
Olympic.
inc procuction OF the piece said to be taken
nom the story Of the three princesses In Washing
ton Irving's "Alhambra" took place at tho Oiym-
pic Theatre last night or two things at least the
patrons Of the theatre may be assured-frst that
1t Is as unlike anything in the sAlhambra" as ia
possible, and, secondly, that 1t is sufficiently wicked
to meet the tastes Of the multitude. At the Same
time it would be doing the performance an injus-
tce IL we failed to say that 1t is greatly superior to
the play This is saying great deal for the man
ner In which poor piece Is produced. but the
truth is that there Is not well-defned character
In the play outside OF the individuality of the
players. This Is peculiarly true ofLeon's discreet
Kadiga," and partially Of the three knights
OF course we would not blame the playwright
for not adhering to lrving's legend. The weakness
ton so characteristic OF nving's writings, would
be sufficient excuse for this; but 1t is no excuse
for the appropriation of situations from nearly
everything seen on the stage in years Even the
gravedgger from "Hamlet" appears, but the skill
OF the lnuris IN the phantom. fight redeems an
appropriation so glazing from being utterly mex
cusable, and makes the scene one of the most
effective pieces Of stage machinery we have seen
performance, which would have been entert lining
throughout but for the weakness and io0lishness
Miss Pauline Markham failed to make mai some foolish
verse upon Jay Gould effective, and such illusions
e. s Sna ooy
paacity OF ideas as well as iriVoiity IN art
ea s nghsr s be Snn If
things like it are omitted in The future. word OF
praise is due to Mr.. Harry Allen, whose zoranayda
becoming quite common under the developing in
fuences OF modern ideas. Other noticeable features
portant parts Of the entertainment, ave the violin
solo oil Mr.. Marten, the famous ''cat duet" of the
indeed the ' play much ike ne suit OF Clothes
which, under Morris manipulatiOns, undergo so
many changes, and. while we cannot praise 1t, it is
impossible to deny that 1t Is entertaining.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
"Brother Sam, /" at Wallack's, will run for 1--WE or
six weeks yet.
At the opening OF tho new Fifth Avenue Theatre
next week prologue, or more properly an ad-
dress, written by Mr.. John Br0ugham, will be re-
cited by the leading actors of the company, scene
having been specially designed for this occasion.
Mr.. j. M. Bellew. the English reader. will make
his first appearance in this country at Association
Hall on the 2sth instant Mr.. Bellew comes with
great European reputation. the London Times
CHASING him with Charles Dickens ana Fanny
Kembie.
Tho intellectual spendors Of the Grand Opera
House will have finally reached their highest
height when the thirty horses are seen to climb
"The Cataract OF the Ganges." We understand
that a stable is being built for them at the roar Of
the stage, and that 80 far, the progress OF their
dramatic training is satisfactory.
Mnstrelsy seems to be the uptown pioneer Of
dramatic art In New York. Before Mr.. DAILY ven
tured upon opening comedy theatre in Twenty
fourth street the old Fifth Avenue Theatre was q
minstre, hall, and now, while Twcnty-cghth street
and broadway is cOneSsedly the centre OF the city,
the san Francisco Minstrcls arc the first to show
that 1t Is possible to succeed at distance from all
other places OF amusement.