New-York tribune., 1874-08-18
THE DRAMA.
WALLACKS THEATER.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF MIR. TOOLE.


known as a wallack audience, contained many accred'
tied representatives OF the thought, refinement beauty
aud social life OF the city. II was Kindly assenDhge
too willing to be pleased and eager TO manifest s cor
diaty. Mr.. Tooe came forward as Hammond Coofe' IN
Mr. James Alberys drama OF " Wig ami Gown" aud as
Simmons in farcical dramatic sketch Of The WeaV-
ers" adapted from French original, by rbos Haynes
Bailey. Upon bis first entrance Mr. Tooe was greeted
with applause and cheering. yociferous aud longcon-
tnued At the end each of the drama and at the
end OF the farce he called before the curtain AT
point he asked for speech and ths ne gave In
a very earnest and graceful manner. Al many points
during his performance he ELECTED bursts OF honest
laughter Altogether 10 may be set down as the simple
truth that Mr. Toole received kind a welcome IA any
art could expect wish. coming to foreign Iand
and il Is proper t. add that Mr.. Toole did
Al much az any artist possibly could DO when
bampered with two plays that are radically
aud retrievaby dull to show that he entirely deserved
il. As the evening wore on the weight ana proiNiv o
the plays began to make themselves felt, IN shShF
dampenlng effect upon the popular ardor so that the
scene was less rosy at the end than at the beginning
But Mr. Tooe lost his grip upon the puohc good-
will He was heartily accepted by the people; and TO
those who consider acting atentyey and look through
it to the spirit beneath and the resultant influence ne
revealed the nature OF a genuine and unique hum0rlst
and the skill and ease OF artist OF unerrng Instinct
and thoroughly trained and mastered abilities.
The purpose OF Wig and Gown" is to present one OF
those and sweet characters that capuVate SYM
pahy by their helpless Innocence and their spontaneous
cneeruness amid the hardshps and trials OF an unsuc
cessia ire The Vicar OF Wakefield, Tripet. and Regl-
nald Wfer are familiar types OF tue individuality thus
suggested Hammond C0Ote the central parsonage in
Mr. Alrrys drama. Elgllsh barrster. OF whom 1t
may be saldin The way of suggestive descrpon-that
he il sweet like Tom Pinch quaint, like Dominic Samp-
fon plably gentle, like Edie Ochiitree; fororn. Ike
Tim OBrien and jolly. like Mark Iapley' Ihese
traits make him pathetic zestfu, and amusing, and,
altogether. such individual as cannot occupy tne
attentive mind without stimulating its best tendencies
This IDEAL was undoubtedly suggested by apt perception
of tho elemental attributes of Mr. Tooes nature The
p,rt is fitted TO the actor In his mana cement OF the
part Mr. Abery has displayed less felicity OF talent than
in his invention Of it. Hammond Cooe stands indeed,
clearly revealed and. TO be sure. that end being ac
cOmpllshed enough Is done for the purposes OF Tue
actor: but he figures through irrational and In
credible story, AMI amidst incidents which, In
art, are deccptiye-becau'e pretending TO De
real they are, in fact, often farcicaL The
consequence misshapen and unsatisfactory pay
and one that will prove evauescent Nothing endures
that is not true Meanwhile Mr.. Tooe makes the best
that can be made OF "Wig and GOWN" getting out OF
it great deal and several touches OF delicate
pathos TIE p,igh. of Hammond C0oe Is pretty dismal
lie is a very poor and unluchy gentleman He has
wife and children on ms hands. and an abundance oi
love and hope in his disposition But his pockets are
empty and nobody will give him briet; and'-Whch
is still worse-lis mind to be cracked SO little
respect il felt in the family circle for the professional
worth OF this amiable and perplexed lawyer that
sarcastic Ms. COOte thinks OF cutting up his
gown into jackets for their boy, ana nc
himself actually utlzes his law bag for the
bringing homo OF groceries. Poor Coots, however, con-
inues to ocund At last there comes crisis IN DIS
life, brought about by scamp wh0 wishes IrduduiehP
to get possession OF unsettled estate and who con-
triyesby way OF making his game an easier one play
10 have this adde pated barrser empoyedas director
of the opposing case The climax is attained in trial
scene court through most 0t when CODte hOuh"rt7
absIrdly till at length, while examining witness some
ongormant recollection OF his own youth, and OF the
very matter IN controversy, flashes through MS
thoughts. and, by questions that amaze with the'F
pertncuce and energy he bagS ont the truth hat tho
pretended claimant has up false title, and that lie
himself is the rghtfll the disputed estate. Sub
seaueut passages through which he IA seen 10 DC
adroitly removing his wife's objections TO their
daughters marriage with a young doctor, display his
droery and also the uniform smpleness o. Character
that neither prosperity can buoy up adversely cast
down. It need not be urged that the contemplation
Of sucl character-even with the CONSCIOUSNESS that 1t
ia shown under impossible circumstances, in a stupid
pay and therefore in imperfect lghs-s benefcent
as il Is delig ghtful.
There can no question az rate OF the value and
the charm such contemplation. when Mr. Tooe IS the
actor sweet and touching simplicity OF character
and abundant drOllery OF demeanor-unconsclous ana
Involuntary through the moods OF goodnatured merri-
ness clipper alacrty comic perplexlty. complacent
resignation, aud certain mild and patient endurance
deeply suggestive OF the o: the true gentle
are commiugled and lie at the basis OF Mr. Toole's
acting. He charms by his natural and spon-
taneous art; but he charms still more by the
fine spirit within it, 1t is, we think, sometimes
possible tragic actor to win fictitious ascendancy
but no such conquest and renown ever possible to
comedian Tragedy will kndle in the soul Of the spec
taor an imaginative glow which is reflected back upon
the actor so as to him with ideal atmosphere,
and cast around picturesque head halo Of which he
never dreamed Its weapons are the primary passions.
which are always distinct and which always strike
home, Comedy-and especially humorous comedy-has
no such pungent and permeatve power; aud therefore
the actor this vein of half lights and intermediate
condltions-his cleaning of eccentrcities and cross
purposes and delicate traits-is thrown upon
himself II he conquers, it is invariably by attributes
within hmselt-by comic individuality. sunny vital
ity OF temperament the personal capacity to live
eccentric and funny traits and moods, anu periect
mastery Of those Of delicate exaggeraton by which
the fun Of these traits and moods is projected upon tue
multitude Macbeth will do something for himself: {:
Touchstone will not. merely correct tragedian may
sometimes seem eAcelent III tuo iormcr ohaiaoVoi 4"
asks comedian fully endowed and finely equipped to
produce the effect OF excellence in the latter No sub
tcrfuge will produce the prsmatic ray of mrth, and
nothing easily shattered Outside OF the region
OF collar clownng them the success OF the humor
Gus actor always that he is genuine artist and
strong in bis strength. Mr.. Toole has certainly
won his fame outside Of that region and the secret Of
his success will be found, have intimated in his
personal characteristics The of his acting,
the more doubtless. shall realize Of the contact Of
q siugularly drou person. Through his two
presentations last night were seen O reality
OF resource an honest, unaffected method a