The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-16
Am as EH ENTS.
Messrs. wheeler & Mackaye's New Comedy.
Drama at MaIIack's Thentrc.


Although the last was Holy Week, and
although very large proportion Of the frequent
visitors to wallack's Theatre observe the pro-
preies Of this solemn festival at least so far as
to abstain from appearing publicly at places OF
amusement large auditorlcs have witnessed
each representation OF "The Twins" since its
first production last Wednesday evening The
play has many attractive qualities its dialogue
Is bright, often witty but there Is too much OF
1t, especially In the first two acts. The scenery
In which the acts are set IL new and uncom-
monty fine, particularly Mr.. Matt Morgans pic
ture OF the cottage by the Sound. The change
Of characters by Mr. Lester walack, At the end
OF the second act, lie more than pleasing IL IL a
positive relief. The acting OF this gentleman, as
well as that OF Mr.. Il. NJ. Holland. lie excellent.
and secures for them hearty recalls at each per,
Torrance. Although Mr.. John Gilbert has not
part fully worthy OF his powers, he represents
the ono assigned to him Ike the great artist
that lie is. Mr.: Floyd plays tho villains cbarac-
ter in way. to make i sufficiently repulsivc,
and sings very agreeaby, Miss Efie Germon
does her work finely, even better than usual
cceds With il cfedtebly Miss DySs appears pea su to
be altogether too indifferent to the character
Mhich sne assumes ana Mr.. Herbert plays an
TO- do, but that is done clearly, neatly, brightly
The other parts are competently filed.
II seems to be less simple than It really is be-
cause not, at the moro convenient times, plainly
developed In a way to inform the auditor dis
tlnctly OF the true characters and relations OF
the personages, and the drift Of the fable. The
arrangement 10y which Mr.. Wallack appears in
two Characters Numerically opposed to each
other, when made for this purpose, has the
merit OF novelty. II may be questioned, how
ever whether II Is dramatically so effective as
would be the rousing OF an inner and dormant
character IN an easy going man, and the produce
tion OF the desired contrast 10y series OF logical
events. But this has been done before, and TO
have wrought the wlshcd-for result in this way
would have exposed the authors to the charge OF
want OF originality. The third act Of the play is
full OF action and good comedy, and IN the main
Is bright and strong. Had all the work euunled
this portion II would have been entitled 10 very
high praise. Unfortunately in the two proceed
Ing acts the action Is 50 sluggish that Ii seems
t. crawl without buoyaucy or vigorous impulse
All that Is done in these two acts should lie
compressed into ono Nothing necessary to the
work would he lost by such compres sion, and
the Increased elasticity, force. and movement
thus given 10 the play would very greatly inn
prove II. There Is a falling IN also I'm the last
act. IL sinks much below the level OF the third,
aud brings the performance to a weak ending.
The introduc;ian ~ a real horse and cab l. a
piece OF what IL called realism, quite out of
keeping with tho general tone Of the work.
On the whole, the play Is one that should
encourage It's authors to try again and should
stimulate other men OF talent and literary nc-
compliments to emulate, and n possible excel
them In this way only can we have IN due time
an American dramatic literature worthy to take
Its place with that Of older nations.