New-York tribune., 1873-03-18
THE DRAMA.
BooTH's THEATER-BOUCICAULT's MIKE o'Down
St. Patrick's Night was a good time for

BOOTH's THEATER-BOUCICAULTS MIKE 0D0Wn
st. Patrick's Night was a good time for
bringing out a new Irish play, and Mr.. Boucicsuirs
Daddy ODowd" acted last night. at Booths Theaier
for the FIRST time was and enjoyed by immeoss
multitude 1t was one OF the brightest occasions OF &
whole dramatic year. and the record Of IL may wen Do
made with enthusiasm. The play was not alone a on+
liant popular sucoess-it great literary achieve
ment 1t enriches the stage. 1t blunts every arrow
possible objection. It is nobly conceived t is oeaa
fully executed; and it is original Mr.. Boucicaut maI
have remembered, for suggestion, the old drama
OF 1.-THE Porter's Knot" but he has taken noth-
ing from that except hint and he has taka
nothing else that recognize, from any source Whist
sO6ver he appears in this piece, viewing him both
author and actor-whst he has very seldom appeared
before and what he has never before appeared so u
an artist OF imagination, heart trained neecs deep
knowledge of human nature, accurate views OF human
society," and wonderful skill In the use OF dramatic ma
terias More than this IN his literary portrayal ana ma
stage interpreta Of the character OF Nike OD"rd
he appears as Of creative genius. The ati tude
this attained is that OF greatness and 1t ought 70 Dc
recognized in no uncertanfterms. To MI Boucicauis
"Kerry" gem both OF writing and OF actinG-but ur
derstood to be the COPY Of French original-we rem
dered the tribute OF surprised admiration. To h
DADDY O'Dowd"-a higher work, more massive mere
difficult more elaborate, more heavily feighted WIN
emotion and entirely his ownwe render the tribute Of
unqualified delight, intellectual respect and deep arcc
tiOn
Daddy O'Dowd" is easily described. 30 long q
description adheres its component parts. Ii Is drama
favored with comedy. 1t relates to the present time
is comprised in three acts II introduces fifteen charss
ters besides auxares IL necessitates but five changes
of scenery It's action begins at villa on the oan~
the Thames and continues and concludes at an p1sa
house in Galway. Its story is chiefly OF Ish nes
and women, and is OF the simplest stories Id W.
world. Its central subject Is the plain grandeur Oh
honest affectlonate. somewhat quaint and utterly ~
selfish character affected by paternal love- over
whelmn ng disappointment trouble SORROW, and po'sfW
The attribute Of age is employed to invest this eha'
with venerable beauty and with pathos. The mans"
the old man is Nike ODord. He Is fond s''e'
whose generous and cherished son. mishd W
vanity and passion. drifts near w..
and disgrace. He endures IN the knoW"e.
of this a startling shock and bitter aficton ""
amid all his suffering he Is mindful Of Others ana !"
very strong II is easy, under these circums's"0es
conjecture his experience. He takes upon hmse"
burden OF his boys indiscretiOn. He ayers INC
honor He screens the fault. He sofens, 70 e'eD ~
but his own, the blow Of misfortune Aud thetes'a
he silently suffers poverty and hardship, and wal" W
fufllment of loves hope-that the boy VIII o'..
back out Of exile with stainless name. BY and Ysm
has reason to think that the absent darling has 0ee
drpyrgd at sea and will como back never again
tbeg his heart begins TO faint and his NE W i""'
last, his sons birthday, the wandercr is,.h ie'"
honor with heroic achievement, and In wealth
that achievement has brought in its train; ana y
broken circle OF loving hearts is reunited ln n"pP
at the hresde Of an Irish Home. A.,
This cold outline OF story does but fain: justice
exquisite beauty Of the orginal-ano, douDtess'
occur 70 most readers that spectacle OF patern~
sacrifice is not very extraordinary one But o'o'
| Boucicault's Daddy ODowd" there is gla"O1
tenderness-a glow OF sincerity aud charm o' a.
as gentle and as fair as the silver haze thar ni~
the hills in Autumn and makes them 50 loVeD n-.
tance and repose To describe this is Impossible W
might well try TO interpret the poetry oil .,sr
make Its charm felt by a demonstration in0 -.
has put his best nature into this work. ana n No
OF nothing but the truth. Here Is no s.,., au
distortiou. no exaegeration no servitudo OF p'ps
caprice no admixture OF clap-trap or mechamos "A.
honest homey, sincere and beautiful. IL wo >" n.
lover of "The Newcomes that the poor Co0u0" q,
age and poverty, totterng along the payemen" %
parcel OF butchers meat IN his hand. Is not ~o ss
ing than old Mike o. Dowd wheeling his loau n AZ
OF Galway, he at least will understand thh' w. No ss
a very affecting type Of noble fortitudo snd '"'""
tleness: ,,o, d.
And what but gentleness nntreu.
And what but noble feeling VAIL
Wherever shown how eer s'sno"'
Is grace--is oharmF' l.,
Mr. Boucicauit played this part OF Nike U No
extraordinary ahity-played it in such way "a
establish his title beyond dispute. rank with 'a0 In
character actors OF the age. We say tnes0 I'm
n calm consciousness of their Significance anu ,.,ar
full belief In their truth. Nature has Unite" ~ .cs
eault in capacity OF facial expression anu " ,nsSf
thetc quality OF voice. He canuot always i"s" ,ss
what rs in his thoughts. feelings. words anu v