The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-04
ADJUSTMENTS.
''THE RIVALS" AT wALLAcK's.


Owing 10 tho illness OF Mr. Montague the drama OF
"Isars. Idle Tears" not produced at wallack's
last night, but tho audience fully compen-
stated Tor the disappointment by The perform
ancs OF 'sThe Captain OF the Watch" in which
Mr.. Wallack is especially strong. The rain
storm kept many people from the theatre
but though the audience small 1t was enthusiastic
and was worth an ordinary cold catarrh to see
'srhe Rivals' played with much zest and spirit
This comedy is far inferior to the authors other
great work, "Tho School tor Scandal" IN construc-
tion, compactness and epgrammaiic point; but Its
characters quite as fine and as powerfully con-
structed those which form the brilliant
coterie OF scandalmongers who meet
In Mrs. Candours ana Lady Teazle's
trawing rooms We not certain that Sir Peter
eazle is as good as Sir Anthony Absolute for there
IN element OF panulncss in Sir Peters adventures
sith his gay young wife which does not exist in
hr Anthony's vigorous and irresistible humor
Mrs. Maaprop is a great character, which surpasscs
Mrs. Candour
Bob of the best Of all tho comic towards Of
which Sir Andrew Agucchssk II the prototype and has
no rival in the other comedy, matter how many he
hnces he has In his own. But here this superior
ny ends, for Il must be admitted that "The
Rivals has no Charles Surface, Captain Alb
solutc being much less interesting than that
spenud ana good-nearted prouigate; no Joseph Sur
taco, and that the iances and airs Of LYDIA
languish are pahd and vague in compari-
son with the intense colors kindlcd some
times by ligttnnglike flashes or passion
In which my Lady Teazle II SO superbly
Arrayed- "Tho Rivals'' Is without any single
Sceno equal to the in construction but 1t
Ibounds situations full Of oity and the hearty old
fashioned fun which in all times and countries Is
out Of fashion
The two great performances Of tho evening were
qucstionably those Of Mr. John Gilbert and Mmc
Ponis. The Sir Anthony OF Mr.. Gilbert has It's own
high place in the annals OF the modern STAGE like .
famous iulength picture by great master
hung in world. renowned gallery He
could have played with more power than he did
last night and he recalled three the end
lowed with continuous applause and laughter Nine.
Ponis deserves almost equal praise Her Mrs. Naapr0p
vas model OF perfect art Bob Acres was made very
amusing by Mr.. Harry Beckett particularly In the
duel scene but there OCCASIONALLY tendency TO
do tho trcmors OF that unwilling combatanL Mr.
Stevenson played Captain Absolute with refinement
and case. but without the force IL needs IL Is
not in gay, dashing or boistcrous comedy that
this actor appears TO the best advantage
and TO shine most In sentimental aud romantic roles
Mr.. Floyd was not flaming but . quiet Sir Lucius
O'Trigger. Miss Ada Dyas acted with her accustomed
delicacy and intellectual force Lydia LanguIsh and
Miss lone Burke and Mr. Carroll did oil that WAS pos
sbie Tor those two ororn creatures those washed out
tragedy people, Julia and Falkland The minor parts
we're well rendered The following was tho cast /