The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-22


Moth Mss Stella Consdon
Saauene,a Miss Nellie Mortimer
The Princess OF france Miss Ada Dyas
Rosane. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Miss Fanny Davenport
Mss SHIa &c aaW
hatharine. Miss Nina 'arah
The story which forms the basis OF cloves Labors
Eosp' may thus be briefly told. The King OF Ma
varre and three OF his courtiers determined TO
seciude themselves for three years. and during
that term never to sec q woman. to take but one
meal day and on one day IN each week no food
whatever. and to sleep only three hours
In the twenty-four. They are prevented
from keeping tdese preposterous vows by
tneir several encounters with the Prin-
cess OF France and her three attendants,
ROsalne. Maria and Katharine. After in vain en-
deav0ring to hide from each other their love aud
their infdelity to their VOWS they mutually con-
tess and agree TO WOO and win the ladies II posi-
Die. The ladies, aware OF the ridiculous VOW OF
the King and his cOurters, finally accede to their
prOtestatOns; but impose, as a condition, various
soiemnly ridiculous penances, which are TO endure
for a twelvemonth, and the comedy concludes with
mock heroic pageant and an aiiegOricai represen-
tation OF winter and spring.
We have already alluded to Cloves Labor's
LOStn as PLAY little suited to modern representa-
ton. and we see no reason to 90 otherwise than
repeat the substance of what we have already SAID
comedy. The magnetism OF a fame that mas sur
vlved centuries Is imnancnt in 1t. 1t does not
merits. but upon the merits wi which CHI the the
poets performances in greater dramas proved
MN 70 possess ane reason so large an
cause they had read the comedy but because they
hadn't. The average reader would not have
most strained and artificial concets and long
linked puns which would not to-day be accepted AZ
wit by any but the most nveterate player ct verbal
cup and ball. The characters are rudimentary,
lacking that consistency and a3ish that nesh
s sna Sa osner works are u IS' and
the scenes are painfully devoid OF those
vivid pictures OF nature painted IN LANGUAGE that
reflections in which the gold OF an idea is fifty
framed in the silver OF word. But admiration for
genius that 'houss S! .s. q people believe
lines We venture to say that ne-tenths OF those
VINO attended the Filth Avenue Theatre last eve
ming were prepared to admire the comedy BY
task for them. 1t is task imagination performs
exceedingly well, seeing wit where no wit is.
would be more honest, and protesting an interest
whose real source lies in u purblind respect for
But all this concerns not the fact that Gloves
LabOr's Lost" was very eXquisitey and brilliantly
was divided into SIX acts instead OF five in order to
admit OF the changes incidental to the final
pageant and taDleau. All the scenery was new
and all was beautiful The scenes the beauty
OF which was most consplcuous, were the
forest OF Navarro In the third act and the two
tableaux representing winter and spring. The
expanse was given to the forest scenes was
delightful. The tabeau OF winter showed an ice
hung scene, IN the midst of which snowclad
figure sang the strongly picturesque lines
beginning, ''When icicles hang" Spring was
Indicated bv Vatican tableau OF great
brilliancy. Cunning shepherds and shepherdcsses
sat on messy elevations, fountains gurgled, arbors
twined gloonily green vistas opened. dazzling
mowers and foliage spread seeming fragrance and
rich growth, and over all fell shower OF changing
light. The acting was respectable throughout,
whose refinement. inteigence ana vivacity y' eS
hausted all the significance contained IN the roe
Of the Princess: Miss stella Congdon acted
HdrIan Ss'' me Costumes were brilliant bsyon1
precedent and description. From beginning TO
most generous and splendid style. 1t Is this fact
that will attract the people. For the rest 1t Is fas
iuI play, but because the authors maine has the
magic ring OF Shakespeare.
Booths Theatre.
The announcement that Romeo and Juliet"
would be presented last night ON the occasion of
Mrs. J. B. Booths benefit brought together quite
large audience at this house. Shakespeares love
tragedy has taken so deep hold on popular alfec-
tion--it is so full OF the poetry Of human pas
siOn-that even weak representation ID
sure to secure good deal OF popular
sympathy and applause. With the exception
OF Mrs. J. B. Booth little be said in favor of the
actors and actresses who last night filled the
various roles. The Mercutio of Mr.. Walcot Ia q lair
enough performance, but it has the great fault of
being stacy and exaggerated. The suppression OF
habit OF posturing would make Mr.. Wal
cots acting more acceptable. The Juliet Of
Mrs. Booth, however, was marked by so
much sweetness .S and wo%an grace that
Fortunately the heroine Is almost constantly on
the scene, and 1t was possible to look on the other
otypn
s0ries introduced to give completeness to the pic
lures. Well nigh every phase OF human passion
and it REQUIRES no Common talent to give s1 EACH
phase Its due proportion, so that while every
gradation Is clearly marked. from the dawniEg OF
love in the ingenious girl to the fierce outbreak
OF passionate grief. terminating In self-slaughter
the harmony OF the character may be preserved.
Yet Mrs. Booth succeeded so admirably that 1t
would be difficult to decide whether in the playful
tender scenes or In the deeper emotions her de-
lineation OF human passion was truest 10 nature.
MIR. WneelocK's Romeo suffered by comparison
His conception Of the Italian lover Is slightly aero
batic, and his action is wanting in that elegance Of
gesture which Is a distinguishing TRAIT OF Italians
The piece was magnidcenty put upon the stage.
Amateur Philharmonic Concert.
An orchestral society Of young men, numbering
about fifty active MEMBERS gave q concert at
steinway Hall last evening, before an audience
larger than We have seen at the majority OF must
cal entertainments This season. Their efforts were
confined to an Auber overture, Haydn symphony
vieuxtemps' "Reverie," without the solo. ana
Suppes Light Cavalry" overture, together with
the accompaniment Of soprano and tenor
ariaa Although such an enterprise az the
establishment OF . new orchestra calls for
encouragement yet conscientious critic
can hardly commend the Vaulting ambition
that led to public concert in q large hall with
such crude material as the Amateur Philharmonic
Society possesses. The performance was OF the
most chaotic description, and was calculated to In
sptre feelings of regret and pity. There were at
times Ominous symptoms OF positive crash,
Damrosch played an adagi0 and rondO OF vieux-
temps, and having unfortunately tuned his violin
q quarter OF tone below the pitch OF the piano
the consequences were disastrous. The pianist
also introduced the novel feature of striking
tina uHh ms .irod