The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-11
The Centennial stnge 4.

drama. The event proves that the pro-
phetic eye saw far into the milestone of
the future. For more than month tho
stage has been ablaze with the fires of
genius, kindled by native talent. Actor
and dramatst have struck hands an
solemn league to raise the histrionic scene
to a level with its greatest traditions. The
scene painter has entered the confedera-
ton and dipped his brush in the brightest
colors. The manager thoughtful only of
the development of the art OF which he Is
the exhibitor, has lavished money TO pro-
duce the Centennial drama with all the
accessories that taste and science can sug-
gest.
The play Of Twins" by Mr.. WHEELER
OF the World, had brief, but not an in
glorious career. Its faults were many, but
so were its merits. II was n funny idea,
making mans twin brother pass himself
off on the mans wife rs her husband, and
setting to rights the things put wrong by
the feeble will of the supplauted twin
Impossible indeed in life, but doubtless al
lowable in dramatic art. Mr.. WALLACE
played his dual part with much skill. IL
Mr. wALLAcK could once thoroughly set
aside his own individuality, or rather
merge II in that OF the character he as
sumes, he would be II most satisfactory
actor. As ii Is, he Is too good to be lightly
found fault with. Give him the part of
specifically blds6 mnn of the world,
who is really sound nt'the core, and rs
ready to rescue the distressed mothers
| child rs to laugh at heroism, and he fits
| the character to perfection. We are sorry
that Mr.. WHEELER, in writing the obituary
of his play, spoke discreditably of Miss
| DYAs alleging that she showed no z'al in
the personaton OF the part he wrote for
her. Perhaps the fault was with the part,
not with Miss DYAs who Is a painstakng
actress. The World has several bright
young fellows on it. They write vicious,
wordy style. and sometimes their articles
smell strongly of whiskcy; but they will
probably do better when they learn self
control and know how TO prize simplicity.
We advise them TO at once give over imi-
tating Nj. HrRLBERT Nothing is less prof
liable than aping n man OF genius.
| Mr.. LANCASTER, a voluminous writer OF
thiunish sort ( social essay, has written u
very fair play called Conscience. When
condensed by squeezing out its super
abundant water, this play may keep the
boards long enough 10 well reward Mr..
LANCASTER for his labor in writing it. Let
him omit some of his cheap Wall street
| gags, and his drama Will gain by the omis-
sion. The brokers are very hard up in
these days, and only few OF them can
afford to 20 TO the theatre often. There
fore there il no use in trying to tickle their
vanity. They don't care for hlttery.
What they want is commissions.
Miss DIcKISsoNs play. "The Crown of
Thorns," is too preachy. and ii suffers
from the heavy handicapping Of carrying
an unframed aud undamatic actress III Its
leading part. II is pretty safe to assume
that it will not take its place among the
standard acting English dramas. TUPPER
HOLLAND has not yet brought out his
moral play of Sevenoaks," or rather,
Seven Hoax We must wait for that
before we can thoroughly sum up the Cen
tenpial drama.
But the great Centennial dramatic event
is the competitive acting of the play Of
Hamlet by GEORGE, the Count JoANNEs,
and DR.. s. NJ. Lands of Philadelphia.
Uuhapply matters of punctilio interview
ell to prevent the appearance of the illus
trous pair on the same stage Into the
merits of the controversy we cannot enter,
but our faith in the chivalry of the Count
Is so boundless that we cannot believe he
would put other than honorable obstacles
in the way of n contest he boldly accepted.
The Count is not the man to sneak out Of q
fight because he fears his antagonist
thrust. Hissword arm is strong and ready,
and the scent of gore hurries him to the
fray. Nor eau we undertake to wipe away
as childish Interchangeable phantom crea-
tions of n dsordered brain-the suspicious
OF the Count that the minions of DR.. Ian
DIS gathered in fore at the Academy of
Music to cough the ennoblel actor down.
Neither shall We for moment harbor the
thought that the Count packed Tammany
Hall with his sturdy retainers to ridicule
the impassioned acting of his medical com
petitor. NoblcssC oblige is the Counts
motto, and whatever is base is n hdoou,
monster III the eyes of one whose charter
OF nobility bears the sign and seal of the
Imperial Palatine.
1t i II delicate duty, that of comparing
the two HdmletS. In the first place. pride
in our courtly fellow citiZ IN, respect for
nobility, and regard for the opinion OF the
Bar Association, all caution us to preserve
the utmost patience in balancing the scale.
of comparison; and yet they also tend tC
beget perhaps unconscious partially fol
the representative of New York ana the
titled alistocracy OF the Old World. Next
as DR.. Lands represents the Centennial
city OF Philadelphia with its huge Exhi.
bition, on which the gaze of the world is
now centred, rs he is a guest OF the metrOp.
oils, and is u member of the medical fra.
ternity, we approach the consideration OF
his histrionic claims with much dimdencc
The Hamlet of the Count is unqucstion-
ably, viewed rs a work of art, the more
finished production. There is about II q
gallant grace which the Hamlet of DR.
LAMBS as unqucstonably lacks. 1t is true
the Count WAS supported by sort OF
scratch company, while the Doctor had
, only an imaginary support, with mar
} and woman to read the necessary sub
sidiary parts behind the scenes But tn,
, opportunity for comparison between the
hlstronic powers of the two was not lost
DR.. LANDIs's Hamlet is impassioned ant