The New York herald., 1874-12-29
THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.

GIlbert's beautiful mythical comedy, entitled
sPygmaion and Galatea," founded on the legend
of the statue That came to life in the Greek sculp.
tors studio, produced this house last night.
The exquisite beauty Of this work has been so fire.
quently commented on that We feel discharged
from the necessity TO praise IT, and yet it is OF
those few modern stage productions that il always
Joy to such as are wearied with the tnoughtess
chatter that makes up the dialogue Of most mod.
ern plays. "Pygmanon" may be regarded as
telling satire on human society, and IL is studded
with beautiful thoughts that cannot fail to strike
the attentive listener. The points made by the
author are something more than the smart i'm
perinences that fall to the share OF the stage
witty man; they are amusing because they hold
up the weaknesses OF our nature to q mirror in
which we can contemplate them without feeling
that they have been distorted and vulgarzed, with
the object OF appealing to that broad sense
Of humor which resides IN the multitude. 1r the
or detail which is 30 marked feature in the
management OF this theatre. II is somewhat
difcut TO find an actress possessing the qualities
OF mind and person necessary TO I'LL the authors
ideal OF the animated statue. The role is very
acting for IL demands full control OF all stage arts
Joined to perfection OF face and figure not often
found combined. The role was last night essayed
py Miss Cariotta Leciercq, 1nsned and compe-
tent actress, but whose style OF beauty more
closely resembles Rubens' matrons than the
lignt and graceful lines OF the classic Grecian
~
and voice and thorough command OF stage busl-
ness Miss Leclercq succeeded In bringing out int
strong relief the sweetness and ingenuousness OF
the new created woman's character, as yet uD-
stained by aught OF selfsnnsas or SIM The cnarac-
terzatOn would, perhaps, nave been improved
by little more repose and some more remfniss
cences OF her origin. There seemed TO be a too
prompt and hearty recognition Of the pleasures
or the new state OF being and not enough OF awe
and wonder al the marvels surrounding her. Miss
Leclercq's performance was, however, very ex-
cellcnt one, and abounded with numerous pas
sages OF touching tenderness and dramatic force.
II was refined and symmetrical, and II 1t had a
fault it was that II was too wOmany, FAULT easily
forgiven. D. H. Harking Pygmalion, In the
stronger passages, displayed Considerable bus
enjoyable sketch Of the vulgar and pretentious
Carysos, whose patronage OF art. ike that OF
some modern SPECTATORS, was not altogether die
tated BY his admiration Tor the beautiful. Wewere
delighted to fnd that Mr.. Lewis could be as funny
as Greek as he contrives 10 be az citizen OF tho
Great Republic. His makeup In Chrysos was An
excellent specimen OF stage art. Daphne, The
wife OF Chrysos, was played Dy Miss Ncl1e Morti-
mer, while TO Miss Annie Graham was intrusted
the very dsagreable part OF Cynsca, the reveng.
Iul passionate wife or Pygmalion. In the unpleas-
ant passages Miss Graham 10 remarkably ef1ective.
she seems to be thoroughly In earnest and enters
into the work OF calling down divine retrlDutlon
with spirit and intensity truly alarming. The
remaining roles are acceptably filled. This play,
which " an ints6actnA treat wiz De kept On the