, 1873-12-24

ADJUSTMENTS.
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
The advent of Mr.. Botllern at the Academy Of
Music was an event in the theatrical world for
ly. Lord D1ndreary is not a new creation. It
is ono which has formed tho subject Of magazine
articles, newspaper articles, mud all sortB Of
articloa; has furnished small-talk by tile cart-
load, aud been discussed nd inflnitum for tho
past decndo. Chicago, 1t is true, has not been
favored with Mr. sothern'a Dundreayy for years,
but whether that should make Mr. Sotherns
engagement more or less acceptable no don't
know. Tho character is 30 we'll known
that there is nothing loft to Hay about it.
It Ia as familiar, almost, to those who have
nevcr Heon Mr.. Sothern as to those WHO have,
tho advantage with the Inter being TINT they
havo seen tho Original, the former having only
applauled Mr. sotllern's imitators, moro or less
bad, a1 OF thom. The character, il it ever exist
cd, has disappeared from actunl life, and the
authors creation roulaine only ns reminiB-
conce whilo tho acto RS, rich and amusing as It
is In it's alternate Brightness and imbecility.
novor did exist, except Oh q caricaturo, and is,
seen 1t till today. rs 1t WAS when first brought
out, or aH 1t will be il some fortunate actor OF
Mr. Sothern's genius can uuearth it half con-
tury hence.
The original drama, " Our American Cousin"
has been entirely romodeled. Tho situations
nre changed, aud, naturally enough, 1Ir. 8otl-
ern's verslou has boon fled down wlero other
characters had prominence, 70 Us to leave Mr..
sothern worry conspicuous indoad. There aro
four acts, ,xand but one scono to oach oct. Hence
the scenery is superb. Thoro is but one charao-
ter, and only QUO man who can play 1t. There
foro Mr. sothorn is irreststible. Ho ia not fur
ny only; he is artistic. Ho absolutely makes
yaad to hSoe On s i e sspona poas1
what 10 "other follow can do. Not
a gesture that iB unnatural; not n speech, how
ever idiotic, that IL forced, Gun be found; and
this IL owing to the actor'e efforts, md not to
Of thousands Of people have laughed themselves
hoarso over Du'adreary as played by Mr.. Soth-
ern; 1t would be strange II anything elso had
occurred. And although Dundrea,.ys imboci-
ties hase ts been s quoted ted 01 pse oasa
Of the aroside, as onunciatol by Mr.
Sothern at the Academy OF A1uAic last
evening, thcy were aB crisp and froah as il they
had never before been uttered. We doubt
whether there was more than small percentage
ablo aoliloqny Of tho noble lord upon birds of q
feather docking together, and yet tho audience
laughed last evening, and laughed three succes-
aive rounds at theBo remark boforo tue noble
Ao4A CO0lA PlueteA H4LA u4a tpaoEFAtluIlH, 1A1u
this was ut once specimou Of the whole
performance, and criticism, too. Mr. Bowers
played asa 1FencAard we'll. Tho character, Of
courae, ia TINT OF stage Yankee, and oil that is
good and noblo is centerd in 1t. It is q character
spite Of impossibility. Hiss Minnie Walton, Of
course, as Georgina, was only foil for Mr.
sotlaorn. Sao is very protty and graceful, and
tlat is oil that il needed in this part. Mr..
htton nca sohern h n sou a Of the great sG%sdan
valet to his lordship, without effort. It ii
not a part to shine in, but the young gentleman
made worry favorable impression. Miss Nellio
Boyd played Mary Meredith, and left little to DO
simplicity and native grace, and that Miss Boyd
can furnish without difficulty. Tho remainder
Of the cast calls for no especial commont. Tho
orchestra was up to lts usual mark, and tho
scenery waB in overy act quito worthy Of tho
distinguished star aud Of tho theatre.
uooLEr's THEATRE.
The opera over, Hodoy'a il itsolf onca moro
not quite tho pnrlor Home Of Comedy, hut tho
homo Of the legitimate drama. Tho drama with
which the second part or tho season opens is un-
upon tue stage since the season commenced, anl
speaks vol for tho judgment Of tho now man-
agement: We have already spoken Of 1.-THE
donoya Cross, by Nlr. George Fawcett Rowo,
as boug dIaula tliat has called forth tho praise
OF tue critics OF New York, aud have partially
fanliarized tho public with itH main points, by
publishing u synopsis of The piece. After seeing
1t played, We are ready to indorae the unusual
praise with which 1t Inns been grootcd in tho
Euat. Mr.. Rove, in troating French subject,
has caught tho French air. His language Ii
french in thought; Ills womon are Froact-
women tho action Of tho play IL Fronoh, inas-
much aa 1t III brilliant aud decisive aud tho con-
atriotion Of tho drama, the preseryaton Of tho
individually, and the play as whole, arc French,
bocauso they arc faf superior to anything
that has boon accomplished by an English or
American dramatlRt for u long timo. Tho play
itself aa the drutna Of which It formH step.
The interest gradually intenaifoB throughout
tho whole, and oulminatos III the last scono, and
tho piece itself may be compared to crystal,
each Of whose edges haa luRtro Of its own.
Unfortunately such tlramn Is rare nowadays.
Unfortunately we soldom 500 piece in which
the characters arc drawn with freedom aud bold
nosH, and yet without danger OF burlesQue;
where the dialogue is :sprlghtly and
,solntillatlng, md where tho tsbloau is clima1
Goneva Cross" ia ar exception to tho general
rulo, aud Fortunately 1t in placed IN tLoatro
wl.ere the mounting, though suporb, isnot evsry-
thing.
almost unqualified praise-is duo, but tho PLAYERS
are scarcely up to the denaMls.. III TACT, while
tho "modorn socioty tirarna :" rotgnad ut
Hooleys, the company ut llooloy's WAS equal to
tho task. ".rle Geneva Gross " In not " mod
ern society drama" It is piece ot n uchbol
which don.ands infinitely moro Of tho author,
and great t!cn! moro OF the actor, aud it ia a
plcco which cannot but d!aoloao to hlr. 11ooley,
cottain woaanosBos in liH Company. 70 bogin
With tue leading man: Alr. niaisioll ~ l9lel o.
increasing demanus Of the pieco for two acts
but there he stops. ua ia just half ~ good Ln
actor aa tho part requires. In tho third aor ln
~ interyiow with Gabrielle, whcEo lo reveals to
Il, InIt Sr1.t .tyt