The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-14
An US EM ENTS.
"Conscience," the New Play ne the union
square Theatre.

Since its nrst rcpresc utaiiou at the Union
Square Theatre, the new play, " Conscience"
has been probably pruned. Much " the SUI
pcrfuous talk has been eliminated, the action
compressed and invigorated thereby. and the
duration Of its performance brought within
reasonable limits. The drama IL not great but
1t is one on which its authors may be sincerely
congratulated. For the most part It is well con-
structed, scene follows scene in logical Sc
qucncc and the motive is generally adequate to
tho effect portrayed. The interest IL we'll sus-
tanned, In fact. II Increases to the last, and the
curtain finally falls on n satisfactory discntan-
clement OF the complications. Perhaps this sat
isfactory ending IL somewhat too dependent on
the power and skill Of one actor but, "a pre-
scented at this theatre the actor proves himself
equal to the task, and worthy Of the confidence
reposed in him. In the construction and ar
rangemcnt the chief matter to be censurcd Is
the awkward and altogether ill-judged intro
duction ~ the front scene in the second act. Tho
purpose OF this IL evident and the purpose. In it,
self considered Is good But 1t should have been
achieved in some other way. The authors
should not have been satisfied with their work
till invention had discovered some method Of
arranging the scenes which would not involve
| the improballity now made manifest, and
| which would have rendered so palpahle make
! shit unnecessary. with this exception tho
| drama Is well formed and its outlines closely
4 dchncd Eleven pcrsonares are represented, OF
/ whom one only "a wholly supcrluous, namely
/
direct Influence ON the action, are very useful
| i'm giving breadth, color. and tone to the work.
| The tone aud color axe not Of the strongest and
! hest Kind the play lisa mclodtama the dia-
lpguc, which I'm parts Is very good. not rarely ap-
| pears TO have been made with effort. and its
! point Is frequently obscure enough to excite
! laughter in an auditory which, for the most part,
/ taNes the unNnown for grand or funny. The
level OF the wort i. not high. nor are ITS ma
ttrials striktnrlV novel liui a clever combine
ton VA q great measure produces the elect OF
| novelty. and altogether the drama Is one worthy
OF much tobtiuoudntiuu. nom the success ui
| which ts authors, and other Hspifants Tor the
! fame and emclumcnts Of dramatists, should
1 take courage To pcrsevCrr.
As "a whole. the piece Is CXcClleutly played at
this theatre. Mr.. Charles Il. 1hornc is the actor
| ON whom the greatest responsibility rests. II
| W.iid lee Nery easy tos an incompei ent actor in
| his To bling the drama to weak aud most
| unsatisfactory CONCLUSION. but this gentleman
| carries IL through successfully, and shows his
| lill and discretion to great advantage. His I'M
pcr~uuatiOn throughout Is an excellent piece uf
work. Ne-sfs. Frederick Robinson and John
ParsCllc are not seen at their best. yet exhibit
artistic discretion in their respective characters
Nr. J. H. Stoddart and Mis-. Marie villains do
| the Incidental comedy ccN crly. Mr.. 4. A. Ste
! Ncnsun. ut MallAch's Theatre, plays WELL and IL
| avery PROMISING young actor. Miss Kate Il aX-
ton has good part liy a wastetul use of en-
ctgy she gives the Impression that she Is over
| weighted. She should more carefully gradual
her Work, rcser'ing more Of her strength for
| ClimnNcs. \ little more concentration, u little
more command of herself would give her that
great advantage. the appearance Of reserved
power. This Appearance greatly imprcsscs thcii I'M
| ac!uaiiUn Of AN auditOr~iurc such reSerNc ed NV
er cannot bc measured and may easily hc tai en-
for unlimited. As ii Is. some portions of her
| embodiment are very charming c-i ecuiN in the
earlier scenes of the reprc~t ntai ion, and she
codld anu should make II all "A very admirable
piece Of work.
mounted, and has been drawing very large "u-
uieuCes.