The New York herald., 1876-03-22
ADJUSTMENTS.

FbhhEoL AT THE UNION SQUARE THEATRE.
"Ferreol" victoren Sardou's latest drama was
produced last night at this theatre As already an.
nounced in the HERALD, 1t was postponed on Monday
night owing to the illness of Miss Kate Ciaxton who
last night sufficiently recovered to be able to take
her part in the new play. large and appreciative
audience nothing deferred by the disappo ntment OF
the night before, was assembled, and from tho
frequent applause with which each actor was greeted
and the general signs OF appreciation of the play,
"Fcrreol" seems likely to prove another OF the now
proverbial successes Of this theatre.
The curtain rises on drawing room in the house of
Nine D'0rbesson, at AK, whore the company are dis
cussing the chances OF life remain TO young man
on trial for murder. The evidence against the prs.
oner is purely oircumstantal, but the chain is
almost perfect Ferrco, young officer, friend
OF tho prisoner who bcrothed to his sister arrives
In great agitation. He knows that prisoner is in
nocent and he tres but without success TO persuaoe
member OF the Court of his innocence. FcrrcoI who
had beer engaged in intrigue with the wife Of the
President OF the Court, upon whose balcony he had
been at the time of the murder, had while there
Witnessed the crime and knew that the
real murderer was the gamekeeper OF tho
President Tho wife OF the President had
promised him admittance TO her chamber upon
the night OF the MURDER but alarmed by the illness OF
her littlo daughter, she had at the last
solved not TO bring disgrace upon hcr husband and
children, Under these circumstances, Ferreol, not
4
guard the wife IRON tho dishonor consequent on an
avows of the place which he had seen the m urdcr
committed appeals TO the real murderer. But the boor
seeing fcrrcols dilemma refuses to stir the matter
and threatens TO expose Ferreos intrigue should
anything about HIM. Driven TO distraction no resolves
TO accuse himself OF the MURDER and he brought
fore the President Of the court the husband OF tho
woman whose honor he would save at the price even
OF his own life. But the President with calm legal
acumcn, refuses to believe the sefaccusing FerrcoI
and the latter becoming nervous under the sharp re
OF interrogation frequently contrndicts himself Al
1 n<nIn hQ IN
ing up the story. The real murderer thus brought
into COURT and thinking shat he has been brought
there at Ferreos request and that the President mas
been made aware OF his guilt duplicates himself
while under examination that ne is obliged TO confess
his crime
This plot abounding MS IL does with strong situa-
tions, is admirably adapted for dramatic representa-
ton, but the three first acts were for the part
weak IN construction and IL was not until the last
that tho full strength OF the peco apparent Even
tho last act would hardly be successful without such
excellent and powerful acting that of MISS Kato
Caxton and Mr. Charles Thorne. The latter
gentleman, who undertook the title role made
most decided success Terror for the fate
OF his friend suffering under unjust accusation re-
morse for his intended but frustrated crime IN at
tempting the seduction Of Nine. Dumartei anger at
the base conduct of the gamekcepcr, Martial, and
sincere repentance were one after another portrayed
with admirable skill In his with Miss Clnxfon
who personatcd the almost ering wife, Mr.. rhOrnc
carried the audience with him by his
strength and energy OF purpose while In the
last scene, during his examination. his
heartfelt pcnitence and sclfsacr1cing resolve were
sketched with masterly skill and quiet dignity Almost
the only fault that be found with his performance
is lack Of rest and repose his gestures and move
The Madame Dumartcl OF Miss Claxton is a
most finished portrature. Laboring under
the disadvantage OF the effects Of her late
illness, Miss Claxton was OF course not
seen at her best; but under such adverse
circumstances she achieved marked success. Undc-
cdcd whether she shall allow Fcrreof 10 confess the
circumstances under which ho witnessed the NJ urder
and thus bring dIshOnor upon herself and be- perhaps
driven from her husbands house and deprived Of her
child, or, on the other hand allow innocent man 10
suffer the penalty Justly due TO another Miss Caxton
as Nine Dumartcl succeeded in portrayng with excel
lent taste and ability the love OF the
mother and tho weakness OF the woman.
In the Inst act when she rs compelled to confess tho
circumstances under which Ferrcol was hidden the
balcony, her acting was rcplctc with truth feeling
II Miss Caxton could rid herself Of few
which now and then themselves In her acting she
would add 10 the Success OF part in which her
ton Is most true 10 nature and her performance
marked with intelligence and ability
Mr. stuart Robson a rccalctrant juryman and &C.
centric breeder Of silkworm5 provoked much merr-
mcnt by his grotesquc makeup and comic discomfort
Mr. Parsee the President OF the Court and the hus.
band OF Nine. Dumartc was dignifed and gave q good
representation OF the injured but iorgving husband
Among the minor parts were two that
entrusted 10 debuIanies. The moro important
that OF Thcrese-was played by MISS Maudo
Harrison, young lady who has already won golden
opinions Brooklyn, but last night her performance
was scarcely what might have been expected from q
lady OF whom fame has spoken so highly. The other
debuante Miss Ida Jerres, who made her FIRST
appearance any stage and who II she succeeds in
winning such favor from the public she seems al.
ready TO have done from her friends will have no
TO regret her adoption OF the theatrical
profession Miss Jcnrics Is preposscssng In appear
aud graceful In manner and gesture and she will
no doubt prove with practice useful and acceptable
addition 10 tho Union Square company The peco
we'll mounted, and tho play may fair'y be added
10 the already numerous successes OF this charming
theatre.