The New York herald., 1874-10-07
Wallack's Theatre.

40 hoe Nos pItCcu Ill IClCoToo uut ~ ID ucuuttcI
promised.
Wallack's Theatre.
numerous and brilliant audience assembled
performance OF the fall ana winter season. One OF
II. ]. Byron's best comedies was selected with q
view OF introducing TO the American public Mr.. II.
}. Montague. the leading Juvenile hero of the
English stage. The reception accorded to the
new suitor for public patronage was most
fiattering, and Mr. Montague may look on himself
as one OF the accepted. His manner is self.
contained and polished with q certain audacity
which secures the attention and favor Of the audi
ence. On his ent7ee there was visible slight ner-
vousness, which soon wore or and LETT him with
his easy, seli-possessed air, quite at home
with the American public. Mr.. Montague
is not a great actor but he Is
good one. Gentemanly and unobtrusive,
he never shocks US by libellous exhibitions OF fast
manners and vulgar breeding so often presented
on the stage as pictures of life in elegant society.
II he had no other merit than this we could well
come him with pleasure to our stage as a
desirable acquisition; but. in addition, he
brings careful training and respectable
dramatic power. The comedy in which
he made his debut on the American stage
was written specially for him by H. J. Byron and
is calculated to bring out the exceences OF his
style. II IS clever and brilliantly written play,
but shows strong traces OF the bungling work
done by the modern hnglish drama.sts in the
some OF the scenes advance and retire by wings
almost with military precision delivering their fire
and then retiring on their supper ts, VINO advance
to cover the retreat, fire and retire. and on
This, popularity gives an air OF lormality to some
OF the scenes which takes from the interest OF
dialogue not wanting IN sparkling qualities. The
plot IS novel, and though all the incidents are
through the drst and second acts. As much can.
not be said tor the third, which Is a little prosy;
the real climax OF the play being reached when
plot Is far fetched ana lmpropabe, but been
worked out with considerable skill. In the opening
name of Smth-Miss Jefireys Lewls-is on a visit at
the house OF Mr.. Horace Mervyn-Mr John Gilbert
country gentleman well advanced in years VINO
Smith @ Is delightful creature, tull OF
s and o oa ns 9s Sns the
Mervyn's niece Emy-Miss Dora Goldth " aitew
OF two women, who find themselves neglected for
% me new divinity. At this stage Tom Gilroy, a
nsp ,SunS 70 Eey ON e ssene
nni.s, ana commits the v,n same hayoc on the
new comer TO the object OF his alteration, and the
result Is double surprise. The young lawyer
whom he has been separated for five years, be-
cause having married ner IN the belief that
she she a' rich. pn'' The motive Of Separate Separation s on
which y, h!nges ihe actor. action Of the piece
Which the dramat has @ made as to pro
Ceed from 1t. But though this vitiates the literary
value OF the play. by making generous allowance
Tor the shaliowness OF modern inventions we
accept the situations springing from this accom-
pished separation on their own merits. The VII
who quotes all KINDS of authors with an
absurd perversion OF language. This Muggles-
erclses complete and tyrannical control over his
master, whom he frightens into doing just as he
pIeases. In the last act we learn this secret. Mr..
suitable alliance, which he carefully con-
ceals from his friends Muggles, in order to
HIM to marry Miss Smith, hoping that the COM
mission Of bipamy may render his victim abso-
threatens to disconcert the Villains plans for Sc
cret sympathy has apparently sprung up between
sets down immediately as the result of love at first
sight. lie warns his master Of the danger to be
apprehended from the young barrlster and advises
his immediate marriage with Emily, IN order to
prevent his becoming an obstacle to the uncle's
matrimonial designs. Tae first and second acts are
meantime Gilroy and his wife have met, and, as
they really love each other, become reconciled
discovery by the HORNED household OF the PAIR
locked In each others arms. Here the real inter-
est OF the piece ends, the last act being devoted
to the usual distribution OF poetic justice and
prospective orange wreaths. The manner in which
this delightful comedy has been mounted sur
settings are ricn without being gaudy, and
display refined taste and artistic nnish
was wel nigh perfect, with that admirable bal
ance IN the distribution Of parts which is such
asl pleasing feature %, OF this stage. Mr. John
with keen relish and brought
the .,,, humorous points OF the character
strongest relief. Mr.. Gilberts talents are so well
known and his popularity so well established that
1T is something like painting the rose to praise
the excellence OF his method or the genuine dra-
matte sense that brealhes through his impersona-
tlOns. Mr.. Beckett too. In the role Of MuzZes
had an excellent opportunity Tor the display OF his
eccentric comedy talents, but his conception
OF the role Is too pronounced So long as
nature Of his influence over mis- master
the unb0undcd insolence of the lackey
produces a certain dramatic effect but
as soon as the audience is let into the secret the
pronounced. Miss Godthwaite displays
marked advance in her stage business and
promises TO develop. fair dramatic power.
sympathetic and forcible while Nine. Ponisl's
impersonation or the MISUNDERSTANDING old maid,
Priscilla Mervyn, lett nothing to be desired.
During the performance the public gave repeated
proofs OF their satisfaction, and 1t was generally
agreed that the tall season had been happily and
successfully tnaugurated.
Steinway Hall-Vhc First Orpheon Com
The Orpheon Society's Free Choral Schools held
their opening exercises at Steinway Hall last
evening before q large and intelligent audience,
which crowded that hall. The exercises consisted
OF speeches by Mr.. Abram y. Hewitt Vice
President Of the society, who occupied the chair
(the President, Mr.. William Butler Duncan, being
out of town., and by Rev. DR.. Deems; also
paper on "Choral Instruction and Choral Socie-
ties" read by Mr.. Jerome Hopkins, the pianist,
founder OF the s0rpheon" and its director. A