New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-29
THE DRAMA.

NIBLO'S THEATER-A BURLEsQUE OF EVANGEL1NE
At Niblo's Theater on Monday evening was
performed for the first time piece purporhg 80 be
burlesque OF ngfelow's "Evangeline." 1t - not
wholesome practice even by inference to cast rdicue
upon loneliness of nature and sancty OF me- ana the
mind could take pleasure in roughly pervertng this
delicate poem to the parpOse OF travestie-heaping
muck absurdty upon exquisite purity OF spirit and
beautiful ideal OF sefsscrlhce-must be hippant or
soriid and certainly commonplace Precedents Tor the
custom here more exempiifed have gained vogue
and authority through brlance In their WORKMANSHIP
which has been held 10 atone for Dissertation In this
case garruous folly and pert juvenile smartness unite
to pour q torrent of Stiffness sacredly beautiful
theme; and the ofense of having touched 1t at all IS
aggravated by the clumsiness OF the touch or that
subtle sympathy with high ideals which makes a true
artist in burlesque-such as Poole or Planche-
respectful OF fine subjects. this work gives no
token nor does 1t denote sense Of symmetry lit
erary taste perception OF the fundamental law OF
burlesque-which prescribes entirely serious manner
for entirely comic words and deeds There Is
ical device, and but one In the piece. parsonage
designated as The Lone Fishcrman appears In every
scene casting the fly, smoking pipe, or playing cards
with himself and he never speaks. The effect is ex-
ceedingy ludcrous-more especially since the part Is
played with just perception of the comic idea 1t In
closes and with perfect gravity and artistic ease, by
Mr. j. W. ThOman. To cOmejupon this name In Playful
is again, in anoys mirror, the stage OF very old
times ThomaDs and Mestayers however, throng very
naturally to the banner Of Thorne. For anything else
that funny aside from this lonely marine philosopher
the spectator Of the buresque Eyangelne" will look
and listen in VAIN The incidents are puere The texts
excessively commonplace The action is slow. Several
Of the scenes stupid that it Is difficult contem
plate them without going TO sleep. The worst Of the
various LYDIA Thompson burlesques did evince such
poverty invention Is manifest in the passages OF
"Evangeline" which relate to the diamond fields,
the courtroom, and the savage redmsn Of Arizona
The several effects Of climax tame. There is not
bright line in the dialogue, though Its current Is here
and there roughened with those horribly bad puns
make a sensitive taste ashamed Of the human species
The music not selected 1t would be better it
The yb calls ii original-yet It possesses not par
tcle Of distinctive character. Almost every melody
suggests old hack Of the concert hail. and the tone
and quality Of the entire musical composition unerringy
those layers Of sentiment and popularity which
make up Part One in the Ethiopian Minstrel entertain
ment OF the period Two sentimental songs" Where
thou, my beloved" and go Not Happy Day"-merit
TO be sin ged out and mentioned quite pretty. One
comic duet, 1--WE are off," is very good. The piece was
saved from being utter failure in representation,
through the 1t Of old burlesque busness-round
dancing and the likeand through the comcaty OF Mr..
Louis Mestayer Mr.. W. FL. Crane, and Mr. Thoman.
Miss lone Burke, who acted, rather appeared.
Erangeiine, has notion OF humor than lobster
has Of geometry and she failed to contribute an ele
ment Of mrth the performance. 1t is necessary 10
state that bureque actors ought to produce the effect OF
occasional laughter and that those who do cannot be
deemed competent artists. Miss lone Burke's senti-
mental vOcalism though deficient In sincerity OF feeling
is pleasing and 1t often denotes skill and judcous
ing Her first dress in modest taste. We should
mention among the few mertorous features OF this bur
lesQue sextett by the ruans 1t Is an old device
but IL was well used and the music well delivered
The performance Of "Evangeline' lasted nearly three
hn,,ra
and Industrious claque-Mr. Thorne announces
u buresque OF the Bride or Abydos."
DRAMATIC NOTES.
Mr.. John L. Raymond has concluded not to
appear the Union Square Tneater Aug g. and that
engagement accordingly. has been set aside. Ray
mond will. probably act at the Park Theater 10 the
FALL appearing In Mark Twain's play OF The Gilded
Age" His part IN that Is sort OF American Mcawber
Mr.. Toole purposes to visit Niagara Falls
with his wife and children this week, and Will occupy
with sightseeing the leisure time intervening
the present and the beginning Of his engagement at
Wallack's Theater Aug II. IL Is probable under
stand that he WIN appear at nrst in the play
"Wig and Gown"
Mr.. Brougham has felt constrained, under
medical advice and warning TO defer for the present
making his projected voyage To Europe He had com
peted all needul preparations and secured his
but excursion 10 the Katskl Mountains caught
cold aud was presently afflicted with congestion OF the
lungs; whereupon his ply scian warned him against
the voyage, aud 80 compelled change OF his plans
The health OF the veteran actor aud beloved comrade
Is in q very delicate condition.
Among the noted actors whom local play-
goers Will next may DO named the following
j l.. Toole John Mccullough, Miss Katharine Rogers
Dion Bouccault. Charlotte Cushman. Joseph Jefferson
Rislor Mr.. and Mrs. Barney Williams. John f. Owens
Mrs. Bowers Emily Soldene. Adelaide Nelson, Mile.
Aimee. George VandenhOH, John Gilbert Lester Wal
lack, Barry sullivan. George Fawoett Rowe Mr.. and
Morris, Ms. Lander, Edwin l. Davenport Edwin