New-York tribune., 1874-01-28
Tile DRAMA.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATER-FoUIsr

FIFTH AVENUE THEAlER-FOlJlSC,
II person were to write good poem on
subject of stale eggs he could scarcely be defended
against charge OF vileness In his work. by the plea
that his work had been well DONE The play OF " Fol
line"-whch was acted, last night, at the Fifth Avenue
Theater for the first time aud a crowded bouseisa
tainted play; and it is not the less tainted because IL
construction happens TO be somewhat clever Dck Tur-
pin, on the road, is said TO have robbed the mail
coach with the suayity and grace OF French eayser
but courtesy did not condone the crime aud tsers
came day at last when the gallant operator got sus-
pended along with its enterprise Should such time OF
catastrophe come upon the Aneo-Galc drama OF ths
period-whlch stands In much the same predicamen u
evil--here will need OF Grape II does not appear
have yet, however and Folllne, Ike its pro
decess0r will probably flourish. The new piece comes
from La Mason Neuve" by NJ Sardou; it has been
materially altered In the process OF conveyance; and
has been deodorzed by the usual processof leaving 70
inference in the translation what, In the original. 10
matter of positive statement II is comprised In four
acts 1t introduces nineteen persons its scene is sup
posed TO 30 New-York-though its French nomenclature
Is retained; and 1t exhibits the foolish and vicious
conduct of young man and his WHO. "hs
left comfortable home, in respectable but TO them dull
obscury and sought the turbulent whr OF fashionable
osentation. In this wbirlp0Oi-whch was also cess
poo-these youthful trifers came TO great afictont
and they were eventually glad TO go back to their early
home their decent life, and their true friends. II
the Prodgal Son, going double, and the experiment
ended In tie old way. As an assertion OF The
superiority OF simplicity over ostentation and OF the
purity Of domestic life the feverish and n0K
ious excitements Of pretentOus and vicious society.
play has weight and value But this lesson-which
by the way, is far fresh-is not enforced ia Q
wholesome manner. manly mind would have taught
II with bunOr and sense. and would have found no
necessity for mixing up the hero with an uncbaste
ballcgirl, and the heroine with centous nobleman,
dwelling upoD and dIlating over either their dai
lance with sin upon the verge OF Destruction or her
wallowng in Its embrace in the mre OF fniqnty.
We use both phrases-because, In dealing with
these deodorized Gallo productions, provision must DO
made for conjecture as well as for certainty Ills
parlous world :" and the traveller among tempted wives
and spasnodic husbands seldom clearly knows his path
surroundings. One tangible impression, and that
u good one, remains from q" FOllne:" II couDseh
economy and chastyand this chunks novel and 20
precious that perhaps the most fasdious spectator
ought to tolerate the hectic love-scenes. the
sckroom flavor OF the OPIUM prostrson. and the per-
vading atmosphere of Bohemia. For some people, too.
IL is to be considered there Is strange fascination
about the stale tobacco smoke and the empty cham
payne bottles which supposed to form trail after
the wealthy classes-nOtorously addicted 10 that yu
garty and lcentousness which, OF course, constitute
the sole occupation Of polite society," and which, ere
fore ought to be exposed Three or four characters
many and dialogues which are not in the
French piece in the adaptation. Mr. Dalys part
OF the work has judciouy DONE to 1T the company
that he Directs but he has not impro we'd upon Sar
dou's drama "Folline" was set upon the stage with
exceedingly elaborate. snowy, and almost gaudy
scenery as, doubtless right. The acting of Miss
Dyas was marked by intelligence and taste. and with
traits OF gleeful and tender temperament but wss
fine rather for dehcacy than for force and In one or two
great force requisite There no other person
in Mr. Days company, however, who could imparf 70
the character such continuous charm OF refinement MI
Fisher DavidSe, and Mr. Whiting were excellent a.
the old men. We have space for further comment
The NJ parts Ia