The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-15
MENTs.
"Monsieur Alphonse" AT the Fifth Avenue
Theatre.

latest creation or Dumas brain. Tne play OF "mOn-
sleur Alphonse'' has already attracted so much
attention and discussion abroad that the interest
felt in its production was naturally intense
Iavorite in Paris and an outcast in London, the
theatre-gong public were anxious to see and
Judge for themselves what manner OF production
was this now famous play. IL may be
az well to at once state that the "Mon-
sieur Alphonsen OF the Fifth Avenue is
not exactly the same play that has
won the hearts of the Gymnase audience in Paris,
and merited the censure and condemnation OF the
sleepy Lord Chamberlain, who watches over the
theatrical morals oil her British Majesty's English
subjects. ''Alphonsen belongs to the same cate
CORY OF plays as Gibert's "Charity." 1t deals with
the same question but from a rarisan standpoint
The French original is not content to show the
injustice done by society to women who have
sinned but goes the length OF defending the sin it.
SELL This Objectionable feature of the play has
been wisely eliminated in the adaptation ana the
story Is presented in garb suited to the more
sensitive morality OF the American pubic.
The plot is simple enough woman has
been betrayed into an illegal mar
riage, and Is deserted and left with her child to-
struggle in want by the man who had cheated and
betrayed her. At trying moment a generous
man, ignorant OF her history. offers his hand and
name TO the deceived woman, and. urged by
misery. she accepts the offer In order that she may
the better be able to care for her child SO far as the
heroine is concerned the only moral stain on ner
from the man who trusts in her honor and raises
her from poverty to wealth and position; but the
decelver on the victim, and while "Mon.
sleur Alphonse," who ought to be in State
society, and his little lndiscretlons rather smiled
upon, the innocent victim of mis- viany is branded
with dishOnOr. Such are the laws Of society, upon
which "AlphOnsen is mider satire than 'sChar-
lty," but conveying the same lesson. 1t does noe
possess the strong, mastery transformations Of
Gilbert's play, but, en- 7euGnche 1t is a marvel OF
dramari c unity. The interest Of the story is made
to centre in a child. Adrlenne, the fruit OF the
fictitious marriage. and the action passes in a
drawing room on the afternoon OF one day. The
dialogue for the most part is brilliant, butt the
pruning. The real dramatic interest OF the play
eliminates In the second act, when Captain
with . nopleness and generosity seldom met with
in real lie, pardons the deception that has been
practised on him, and takes his wife and her child
OF the characters and visiting poetic justice
on the head Of Monsieur Allpnoase, bur
will not condemn him much, he ac-
cepts his punishment rather philosophically.
act 1t would be well to sacrifice some unnecessary
dialogue. SO as to reach the conclusion as rapidly
as possible. The emotional interest in the piece is
well sustained without any appeal to melOdrama,
and people who do not delight in murder can
watch the development OF feelings that are felt in
remains strictly within the comedy line, ana
never appeals 70 the tragic muse to help the in
imparts to the play the special Charm
winch belongs to truly artistic work =
IT, ike pnmas will mat not steer clear Se ao
such delicate subject the Illicit relations OF
the sexes; but somehow, this oftt0ld story seems
interest.
And ' 1Isy tr rue 4, 'tis PITY, pisy'
"Alphonse, though not a very strong comedy. is
full Of dramatic incident and color. 1t affords
ample opportunity for the display Of nlstrionic
talent, and curiOusly enough supplies Mr.. Daly's
company with roles not differing essentially in
their relations to those they filled in "Charity.n
generous, noble-hearted husband; George clarke
Monsieur Alphonse the polished scoundrel who
innocent victim OF mans treachery. MISS
Davenport is supplied with character part which
wear expensive dresses, combination, ' we should
say quite pleasing 70 the lady ana not unwelcome
Ruth 1redgett, but her presentation Of the vulgar
bad manners is o strong and erectlve piece or
represents "the mnion OF the private inquiry
o1ice," but is not so strongly drawn, nor does it
exhibition OF his power: Frank Hardenberg's
Remy, an Old salt is one Of the best pieces OF act
ness We and absence Of Where
line is very great the event Of the
Bou Heron as Adrenne the Guild y misfortune.
Exception might be taken to the words and senri-
suited to the Intelligence Of child OF ten years Of
age, but we suppose that precocity must
s s Ss oo 70 hsrse stage 50 %
can only speak in the highest praise. Her ntel-
gent delivery and dramatic action were quite be-
yOnd her years, and in some of the passages with
Miss Dyas the child held her own so well that it
would have been difficult to have awarded
the p yonng lady A' eremse II 1Psfe Dr II
liant future which needs only careful culti-
camille Mrs. &. H. Gilbert and Miss s' Varian. as
Manou and Bonette her daughter, did not have
much to do but they did that little satisfactorily.
There is only one set used in the whole play,
and nothing has been spared to make 1t as
rich ana elegant as could be desired. There
remind us that it was first performance. During
the night the public gave frequent and. Tor this
Heron receiving the honor Of a recall, which Was
well merted. "Alphonse'' will run till the end Of
the season. The afterpiece-.'My Uncles WHIP
has been withdrawn for Jew days, but will be put
on again next week.
Colosseum.
The Easter programme at the Colosseum is very
attractive aud includes new lecture by Professor
Tobn, introducing among other novelties the op-
tical illusion OF "La Tete Decapitee,n which has
excited wonder and admiration in London and
Paris. Lubin's Maronnettes will delight the juve
niles al each performance, and special matinees
are announced Tor Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day at ten A. NJ.
Musical md Thea trica1 Notes.
The variety combination known as the Partisan
Folly will pass from the Lyceum and take refuge in
the arms Of Jarrett 4 Palmer. The Lyceum will
remain closed for q short time.
Last evening Miss Agatha Munier gave grand
complimentary concert at Association Hall, under
the auspices Of the parishioners OF St. Stephens
church. A large and fashionable audience was in
attendance, and the musical abilities OF Miss
Munler gave evidence OF careful study and her
efforts promise OF future success
THE MASSACHUSETTS, SENATORsHIP
Six Ballots I'm the Legislature, but No
ChOice-Charles Francis Adams Re-
garded rs the Compromise Candidate.
Boston, April IA, 1874.
The Senatorial contest which has now been pro-
longed IN the Legislature for nearly month, be-