The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-04

oman and Wife, at the Fifth Avenue
Theatre.


Theatre.
Last evening was revived at Mr.. Daiy's pretty
theatre In Twenty-eighrh street to an overf0wing
house q dramatization OF wiikie Collins novel,
"Man and Wife," which had a successful run at
the calcIned Fifth Avenue Theatre some four years
ago. 1t brings the relations between GeofYrey
Delamayn and the injured Annie Sylvester
into clear light and pursues the uni
versity athlete to his destruction. Culminat-
ing in the death OF that Gallons individual
1t can scarcely be called q comedy, although we
found IL so styled on the bills This, we suppose,
is out Of difference to the comedy revival which
has vigorously set in just now. We do not how
ever, feel disposed to find particular fault on this
head, for "Man ana Vile" is an interesting play,
even though 1t may not fully deserve to be called
powerful. In tue nrst act Annie Sylvester ex-
tracts from Godfrey Delamayn promise to marry
her, he having previously encompassed her ruin.
In order that he may avoid the performance Of
this promise, he induces his friend, Arnold Brink
worth, to undertake the presentation OF an ex-
cusatory note to the deceived woman. Arnold,
be 1t understood, has 00tained the consent
OF Sir Patrick Lundie to marry that gentleman's
niece, Miss Blanche Lundie In the second act,
Arnold proceeds on his mission. and arriving at
the Scotch Inn, asks for her, according to the
agreement made tor Ge0frrey Delamayn, as his
vie. Conscious that she is thrown or that the
letter is q7lse, she entreats Arnold to leave the
inn, lest he be compromised. With the confding
spirit OF youth he declines to 60. A storm
arises and in the midst of 1t Miss Blanche
Lunde arrives to complicate matters. Annie
puts out the candle, which pre- vents Blanche from
discovering tie gentleman in the case. The third
act Is devoted to Scottish law and Its delicious
certainty regarding marriages. In Scotland we
mo WIT
often welded without quite knowing it. In Ire
land, as seen in the "Man Of Honor" 1t is next to
impossible to be married The modern playgoer
may, therefore, expect. II he takes his full course
OF comedies, to be well posted in the
eccentrlc,ties OF the laws on matrimony.
MIR. Delamayn: In fact, undertakes, like the mean
tistiy married Annie Sylvester This device nOta-
bly, tails. because an Old waiter at the Scotch inn
s to nos sY the Of
widow, and the third act closes with
she has boueht back from the honest old scoun-
dre OF Scotch waiter, in the lace OF the widow,
in the Ts is He t d
the foregoing materials in an INFORMAL trial, and
the result is that Godfrey finds himself married
other strong point here The fifth act Is Of the blood
cnrdling order and fairly tells the story OF the
House at Salt Patch which is so nerve-twinglng IN
the novel, The dumb cook finds her tongue and
consents to murder the unfortunate vile. After
the latter has lain down upon the bed the
wall. The husband Ia impatient to see her killed.
but the woman rouses up Annie, and her friends
opportunely break in the door to rescue her. AS
they rush In GeOitre, Delamayn falls dead.
The cast last night was strong one throughout
and was as tOllOws:-
Ge soaiS sI 9;esamayp' tn the Man Hsrkins
Bishoprggs with one eye moist and merry Mr. bayidse
MIR NOV Geoarey's London Solicitor beSere
s$%s:: 4S:ss Choral
jonathan, who knew where he would go to he "''
John u fhomas the raona Footman m" mr. 1eveaa
fsnen s Lsndie her her ba7en gsas
Hester Detthridse the dumb COOK at Windy Avs o's'
Hopkins Lady Lundies French maid Nina varsn
The principal parts were filled by the players
who first appeared In them in this city, with the
execution Of Miss Ada Dyas IN the part of the
sase as R FRS par was
filed originally by Miss Clara Morris. Miss Dyas
brings to the boards an air OF quiet refinement and
stage knowledge. Notwithstanding that the play
may be SAID to centre on the part played by Miss
most throughout. At the close OF the third
act and during the fifth act only had the
lady any opportunity to display her ability. We
should. therefore, hesitate before passing any
final verdict upon her powers. What she has to
do In this play Is fairly done, but confess to
slight feeling OF disappointment in her regard,
probably superinduced by extravagant ec0miums
pas ed in advance. Miss Dyas was somew hat
nervous In the opening last night, and we are will
ing to admit that, although we may not have
gained great actress In her, she gives every
promise OF proving great acquisition to our
The Delamayn Of MI Harkns is "p one Of his
best parts. and MIR. Clark ia at home
in the effervescent Arnold Brinkworth. Mr..
Lewis who reappeared after a severe illness. was
warmly received by the house. His Sir Patrick Is
q finished performance. Mr.. Davidge's waiter IS
good of It's kind, too. Miss Davenport. Miss Jewett
and Mrs. Gilbert played very well, particularly the
latter, whose makeup and dumb business were ad-
mirable. The strength OF the cast reached down to
further notice.
Theodore Thomas First Matinee.
Steinway Hall was we'll filled yesterday after
noon, and the initial matinee Of Mr.. Theodore
Thomas was so successful that there Is little doubt
OF similar good fortune attending the rest OF the
series. The programme consisted of the choicest
selections from the immense repertoire which MIR.
Thomas has at his command, and comprised the
following works.
Overture,
SCherZO, .,Nf,dsr,rr,ar N;rh.,s
IntermeZzo nraa,r 49, -"e"'' Mendefssohn
Mr.. Myron W. whitney. basso
A. Ganzonetta Lubbock
" -'' Mr.. Louis Labcck. violonceliist 'soe''
RhapsOdie Hongroise, No. List
Overture LeOnore No. Observation-Disclosures. Beethoven
Traumerei .Schumann
s' - Mr.. 4. Lockwood, harpist: '''N