New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-06
THE DRAMA.
WALLACK'S THEATER.
THE REVIVAL OF 1.-THE VETERAN

THE REVIVAL OF
When "The Veteran was brought out e
Walacks Theaer in February, lS72after siurnoer Of
thirteen yesrs-t had q brilliant success and long CO
reer In public favor and s worth en- attraction
was thus demonstrated, Mr.. Waack IL. naturally and
wisely, encouraged TO revive it again. He producedt
Saturday afternoon, with rich scenery aud fresh
and able cast OF the parts, and It again
welcomed with eager delight by crowded
house. Its prosperity is easily expicable-if er-
PLANTATION be sOught-and Is creditable TO
the public taste to the authors skill The Veteran
cannot indeed, be ranked among plays that impress tho
mind and arouse the imagination by treating high
style Of subject with dazzling originality Of manner bus
1t tells pure and simple story by straightforward.
dramatic process and it is brilliant alike in spirit and
accessories. IL peases the taste for adventure 1t sat
Isles a ideal Of sentiment, and it affords
ment spectacle. aud sensation The beginning OF 1t 10
neat and crisp comedy, deity devised, gracefully and
suggesriyely written, and playfllly prengurativs
OF the serious experience that is TO come
an experience not the less because enveoped In
an atmosphere Of whimsical farce. The latter portions
are somewhat extrayagant aud improbable; but what
is lost symmetry Ia made up In mirth. The contrasts
are strong, aud the dramatic variety ia exceedingly
abundant and picturesque. These, with the added
virtues OF clearly drawn character polished style. bits
OF sentiment and pathos mingled with bits OF banter
and burlesaue, an air OF romance, spice or
herosm, aud scenic effects thati proceed from
dramatic necessity, make up drama thss
richly merits its hold upon the stage ana
upon public liking, and that Is critically admlraoie
the moment 1t is accurately estimated. Mr. Waisek
built his piece on the basis or the novel OF FRANK
Hilton or The Queen's own" by the Scottish story
writer Mr. James Grant, and the reader who wishes 10
appreciate Mr.. walacks happy because always ducte
and competent use Of dramatic eXpedents has only To
coate the play with the novel, and remark how thor
ouglly and with what additions OF pungent yivacty
tho one gives in action the proix substance OF tho
other.
The present revival OF "The Veteran" n sgnazed bv
richly coored and sumptuous sets OF scenerythe WORK
OF Messrs sherwood, Clare, Morris, aud Watson bT
the display Of English and Scotch uniforms; by tina
performance of John Cookies music, by Mr.. Bakers
band; by balletdance, arranged by Madam kathi
Lanner and by a few new features In the cast. MI.
Wallacks mpersonation OF Leon DfnlGr s,muates per-
fectiy well the merry freshness OF YOUTH and at ono
point shows in istrong light that power in chsrac
ter acting and in the portrayal OF tragic emotions when
Is known TO underlie the comedians delicate skill In
banter eaulyoque and all the gitterings mechanism o.
comedy Mr. Gilbert, before, readily fills hne idea
of the bluff and kindly old soldier, playing Colonel Del
mar NJ Arnott takes the place Of Mr. Fisher. but does
not Oh it Indeed who could y, in the part OF tns
Emr Mohanned Mr. Carroll Is nne image
Of noble gravity and repose, as the Sultd"-
Mr.. Brougham's rich Celtic humor and deheato
brogue are aganyperceived, with happy laughter.
through trapplngs. OF Oriental pomp IN the bezened
and ludcrous person Of 0ftandgan. Miss oermoa
plays with her accustomed archness and SPARKLE her
old part of Blanche Nine Ponisi Is clever and comic a.
Mrs pcShdke; and Miss Jefreys-Lews is O vision on
loyeness as the dusky Amindha part that her gypsy
beauty well becomes, and that her ferVent empera
ment suffuses with passionate force The two former
casts OF this play as compared with the present will DO
read with interest now, and are therefore given