The New York herald., 1876-10-18
AMUSEM ENTS.
"swEEruEAars" AND .roM COBB. +"

''SWEETHEARrS AND TOM COBB.
An unusually delightful entertainment was givcn at
the Park Theatre last night, and wo are greatly mis-
taken II Mr.. W. s. Giberrs two charming lit,lo
comedies do not crowd tho house nightly. Tho
laughter last night lnccssant and tho verdict OF
audience unanimously In favor OF the plays and
tho performance.
In ssSwecthcaris, Mr. Gilbert displays his poetry,
blended with humor, and in "rom Cobb" his genius
for burlesQuc sSwcethcarts tells tho story OF two
lovers who united after thirty years. separation
and tho contrast OF youthful passion In tho FIRST
act with mature affection in the second is finely
expressed by author and actors. There Is much deli
satire Mr. Gilbcrts treatment OF tho effect or
tmc upon love. but nothing that Is hcarcss cold.
II would have been dicult for ordinary dramatist
to have kept Sir Henry Spreadbrow from being coarse
and offensive his forgofuncss ofhis early passion
Mr.. Gilbert emphasizes the humor without injuriug
the pathos which It Is based. Mr.. Cyril Searlo
played tho part with tho truo spirit without
exaggcraion The Improvement this young come
dian has made sincc his first appearance at
tho Park Is really surprising Miss May
Howard admirable, especially in tho second
part Of the drama. Tho scenery was excellent. and
the changes OF thirty years in the landscape we're
neatly indicated In the first act the lovers plant u
hilc treo. larch, apparently; In tho second IL ap
pears gigantic sycamore The alteration OF
the species. however. does not interfere with the
general effect which recalls the expression Of the
Endy mon OF I.yy thc ori yina OF Rip Van Winkc,,
who, after his forty years. sumbcr, excaims, .Lo!
tho twig TO which Land down my head has become
tree"
TON Co5bn is founded on the pcrplcxitcs OF
young doctor, who pretends to have died order TO
escape IRON the prosecutions OF his creditors and
once imagined 10 be dead, nnds resurrection dim
cult His old friends for various reasons, refuse
10 recognize him when he reappears. Around
this central idea arc grouped number OF tho most
amu,ing situations and some OF tho most comical
characters IN any modern farce Tho acting was
capital throughout Tom Cobb played by
Mr. Thomas Within, who will bc remembered "a
a popular tenor singer in English opera. He is q
pleasing comedian, with great volubty, ease OF man.
ner and appreciation OF iun. There some superb
burcsquc by Mss Annie Edmondson, Mrs AIcxina
Fisher Baker, Mr.. J. G. Padeett and Mr.. g. Rosenc.
The group In the second act deserves bo
photographed. Mr.. Paogett, as long haired poet of
The kind, provoked enormous laughter. and Miss
Edmondson equally as successful. These actors
all recalled by the applause Of tho specta
tors. humorous pcrsonation of Matilda was
given by Miss Ida Jcareys, who dressed tho
character with nagnhconcc. Matilda is like tho
Fotberingay of "Pendcnnis," as Colonel O'Firp her
father well played by Mr.. A. d. Bradley 10 a copy OF
Captain Cosiigan. Mr. W. j. CogswcII and Miss Emma
Hoffman were acceptable in their parts and, in nnc,
the whole performance was artistic and strong that
no lover OF hearty fun should mss II.