New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-12
THE DRAMA-MUSIO.
TILE DRAMA

The conduct of the public toward the Fifth
Avenue Tbeaer, for considerable time seems to war
rant the conclusion that Shakespeare and tho old
dies are neither expected desired from this house,
but that the thing that is wanted Is froth Mr. DAILY.
have been given to understand, has had hard siege
Of ifortune 70 sustain during the tire that be has de-
voted to standard plays and that siege ne appears to
have borne with fortitude, courage patience and de-
termination. Now that he leaves standard plays. and
that vein OF amusing frvolty and thin satire
Of small matters which he first struck upon In Miss Lo-
gan's "Surf" and Mr. Towards Saratoga" he meets
more with the rewards OF prosperity " Tie Big
Bonanza" Is farce and 1t is drawing crowded houses
The paybill calls 1t q" society novelty (which is
phrase of dubious import There certainly is no such
society" upon the earth Is depicted In this piece,
and II it be meant as picture OF American mannerst
is distortion and therefore inposture But per-
baps do not rightly apprehend the significance OF
the designation To us 1t Is farce; and viewed as
farce presents meroous points The equvoke scene,
between young Ra0gles and old Capaade and the con-
fronting Of the Professor with the mners and uphOl
sterers may be mentioned examples Of farce effect
that are good. Hints OF something little higher now
and then peep orhas in the wherein the lovers
are left to light the candles. The business" Of this
passage smacks Of comedy, but the dialogue is feeble
For really good dialogue indeed the listener harkens in
vain He will hear q whole theater Of people laugh,
however when comic Professor bids bis wife not
to make damned fool Of herself-and possibly he will
that this Is atogetner as Vi
better wit Of CoDgreve and this audience not altogether
the wsest and safest cOnservat0r OF taste and good
feeling 1t likes, however, "The Big Bonanza" and
-snce the piece is decent and is kindly In spirit and
tone-Mr DAILY does quite right TO accommodate its
liking One strong reason. VIC fancy for the Partially
which has been aroused toward 1t, particularly among
the juvenile stock brokers' the fact that contrasts
the man of money and the man OF brains In way to
bring the into humorous contempt This II does
40 wit har intention
discrepancy often betwxt mental abilities ana ac
quremens upon the hand and lack OF fortune upon
the other. 1t touches In way to please the COM
placency of that sort OF businessman who does not
reason below the surface OF affairs. aud so looks
upon learning and the arts as visionary and un-
practical. Between 1suoh men OF learning ana
men OF business as understand themselves and each
other there variance; between the narrow inc
shallow, the conceed the embttered OF both classes
Is jealousy prejudice. and contempt ana tns we
say s glanced worldly way in "The Big Bonanza
The actors their work in extremely spirited man
ner performing sketchy parts so as to make them In
teresting and dramatically effective. Mr. Drew new
conner OF pleasing quality. though raw as an ACTOR
Mr.. Lewis presents n remarkably eccentric mahe-up
and Mr. Davdge depicts cbucsling and pottering age
in an amiab'e mood. The whole performance would
bear toning down. disposition to override everything
cOmca peryades nearly every part OF H. br' FatKes
with his gigele. Mr.. Drew with his tight boot, Mr..
Lewis with his round shouldcred and menagere sham
BILE. Miss Davenport with her kittensh RamDols. MI
Fisher with his queer vociferaon OF sentiment ana
sudden lapse into pratle, and the author with
his puas OF least brands OF champagne, make us
wish there in the theater OF that rare In
stinct Of art which tells people when to stop, and
keeps them within the bounds OF good toste. Mr. DAILY
gives notice that he has bought the right to produce
the play Of Rose Michel" IN NewYork Though In the
absence OF international copyright law 1T is difficult 10
sec how any marketable night in foreign play can
here exist and that be VIII bring 1t out after the run
OF The Big Bonanza" has ended.
DEATH OF UNswORTH TIE MINSTREL
Mr. James Unsworth, the Negro Minstrel,
died IN Liverpool Feb 81, aged 40 He was native
OF that city, and nephew Of J. L. Hutton the composer
His father Il is stated WIS at one time editor Of The
Montreal gazette. Mr.. Ellsworth first appeared as "a
burnt cork performer" when Ia years DID, In Montreal
and subsequently he became a member OF Christy's
company this city. He was weliknown on the MN
81 rel stage both In England and America He invented
We believe the Irish Negro" and lac was very comcai
ms a stump orator He had genuine power as u comic
actor and he was o OF more than ordinary mental
cultivation. His remains have been buried at Ford
Cemetery near Liverpool The deceased was member
OF the Catholic Church.
DRAMATIC NOTES
The popularity of "Rose Micher' is said to
be already waning at the Ambigu III Paris.
The play of Griffith Gaunt" is in the en-
10 ment OF prosperous run at the Boston Museum.
Lucca was lately fned 80 forms, in Vienna,
for breaking the law which foruds the recognition OF
app ,use
Edwin Booth will begin an engagement at
e boston Theater on Monday night March Is, appear
ing as Shyioek.
NJ. Blum's drama of "Rose Michel" will be
brought at the Boston Museum 10y arrangement De
tween the author and Dir. NJ. Field.
Mrs T.. l.. Davenport and Miss May Daven-
pori engaged In the dramatic company at the
Walnut street Tneater, Philadelphia
Mr.. Sidney WOolett has begun a series OF
ReCaons from the poets, at he Horticultural Hall, In
Boston, aud his performances seem to be much admired
there.
Miss Nelson has been acting Isabella. in
Oh, Kespesre's comedy OF Measure For Measure, IN
81 Louis The 81 Louis Democrat says that her act
ing Of the part is marvellous" wonderful ana
" magnificent"