The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-04
MI EN- EN- T s.

The production on the New York stage OF COM
edy dealing with modern life. which aims seriously
at presenting pictures Of real men and women, is
an event to be chronicled with q feeling
of thankfulness. The English speaking public
are already the debtor OF Mr.. W. 8. Gilbert for
many valuable and interesting plays. Perhaps no
dramatic author OF the present day has known
how to invest the stage with SO much poetic inter-
est or clothe elevated conceptions with language
noble and dignifed. Recognizing the true mission
OF the theatre he has sought to make the stage the
teacher as well as the mirror OF humanity, and il
any errors have been committed they at least have
cleaned to virtues side."
''CharIty." the latest work from this gifted
writer differs widely from most Of mis- works with
which the American public mas been made familiar.
1t is a scathing satire on English society," and one
can well imagine that society was not at all
pleased with the picture. Indeed, both the
author and the manager showed commendabIe in
dependence OF popular prejudice in producing the
work. 1t il questionable whether the full force OF
the cutting sarcasms against the snOobery and
hypocrisy of English life can be fully appreciated
at this side Of the Atlantic where, happily the
evils which are attacked have not yet taken root
and hOurlshed In our comparatively new society.
The story upon which the play is based may be
thus shortly stated. young and beautiful
woman, Mrs: yanbrugh has loved and sinned, but
her history Is secret to the world; She IS known
as the widow OF vanbrlgh, and at the time
Saet tSe IN opening WITH play
VINO is on the point OF being married. Up TO this
point the lady has been able to conceal from the
deceased Captain but the father of her Intending
son-ln-law, Mr.. smailey, being bad and an
snoua he1 to not s ht n
tune by marriage, but is anxious to acquire it by
less honorable means We have no clew to his
interest hangs on smaileS SENIORS WI" vii.
act dishonesty and very lew men are dishonest honest
Without motive ,smalley suspects that Captain
the heroine OF the play. II he could prove this he
would become ;1 possessed as next heir OF large
sires for the enrichment Of bis son. but as that
the o w %suo s%asys dau ass
ter and been accepted, the property might
But such the Of the ns
spectacle Smailey. whose remote ancestors are
supposed to have arrived in Britain with Caesar.
fdence, was brushmaker that he ventures 10
destroy the happiness Of the young people, and
in order to acquire q little sooner the coveted
fortune. Success at first attends his Vaccinations
the sd Tsn osa vi e
smailey, has hunted down the woman who
In an agony OF grief she confesses that she had
never been the wife Of Captain Vanbrugh The
though there is added on fourth act to enable
virtue to triumph III the end and to send respectable
old Smailey to prison on the charge OF forgery, the
| main interest OF the story mas been broken The
play. however, Is strong and healthy one 1t
strikes at the hypocrisles OF society and more espe-
Cally at the injustice with which repentaEt woman
| VINO has erred is treated, even by those who have
been the cause and the partners Of her sins. The
with rare judgment and Skill and though many
| Will refuse to be converted to the practice OF
charity by Mr. Gnberts SATIRE no one can fail to be
the cause of woman is defended. The language is
pure and the dialogue at once solid and brilliant.
The characterization is sharp and well
a play OF great literary merit, and every
scene has merit Of its own, apart from its con
| nectiOn with the general plot, and might stand
alone as careful and intelligent study OF modern
| society. 1t has kind OF interest that Will take
who crowded to a nrst nights performance
sppause the piece, looHsa tne
critical point OF view, mas some defects Of con-
Where and the audiences who are moved by a the
pictures OF human interest placed before them are
not likely to pause anu examine whether by strict
not not .charty' has the elements Of pop u
larity, and we shall be surprised If it
upon the stage, and the acting, with one or two ex.
ceptions, was worthy the play and the setting
finished artiste, and displayed Considerable power
IL the rendering Of the more dramatic passages.
Hardenbergh divided the honors between them,
but Mr. Clark, as young Smaley, the canting snob,
was not at all satisfactory. The conception OF
altogether wanting in naturalness. Miss Fanny
Davenport as Ruth Tredgett, tramp, made a
in anS sper Of S
speech was not quite perfect, but It was remark
ably good for foreign stage.
Italian Opera in Brooklvn-"Luc,a.u
The Irresistible attraction of Missions name had
the usual result last night at the Brooklyn Academy
of Music. The house was crowded, and the accus.
toned apathy OF Brooklyn audience gave place to
enthusiasm OF the most emphatic kind. The opera
was "Lucia," and the Interpretation OF the title
role by Nine. Nilsson Will ever be remembered as
one of her most beautiful lyric portraits. Last
evening her impersOnation was charming, and
her pure, sympathetic voice, which rejects so
faithfully every phase In the career OF the
hapless bride OF Lammermoor as the lbrettist
gives it, was in Its best condition. Capoul,
although the music OF Edgardo at times is beyond
the reach OF his natural voice, seems to appreciate
the exgencies Of the roe SO wen and acts IN such
an lmpassioned manner that he gives satisfaction
wnere less demonstrative tenor would fail to win
applause: Maureps Ashton is full OF hstrionc
and vocal attraction. His nobility of expression
as an actor and singer in any role he undertakes
stands him IN good stead in the role
word OF praise is due Messrs. Scolara and Boy,
as Raymond and Arthur. for their conscien ious
efforts IN roles which are generally butchered in this
city. The chorus and orchestra were admirably
conducted last evening by Signor Muzio. The
seXtet, 'Chi mi Folna," was unanimously encored,
ana we cannot recollect an occasion on which 1t
was sung with such electrical effect.
Lyeeum Theatre.
Last evening dramatic entertainment whose
monetary results are to be given to the Central
Dispensary, was given at the Lyceum Theatre.
Sheridan Knowles play, "The Hunchback,n was