The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-27
LES DANIcHEFFs.


now IT WAS RECEIVED IN LoNDoN-BoucI
cAuLr AND DUMAs--A LIVELY, cHArTy LET
TER ABOUT THE DRAMA.
LONDON, Jan. 10, 1871
The dramatic talk OF the s'Lcs Danichcls. al
| English version OF which brought out at tho St
james, Theatre, few nights ago. under Mrs. Johr
| Woods management When the French piece was
produced this Same theatre last June there were
clever people WHO discovered that tho plot had beed
stolen from more than source, and that even an
old English drama had inspired Partisan sensation
These discoveries, like many Others were tho prod
ucts OF wild Imagination, tho truth being that the
original manuscripts OF "Les Danichefs'' was written
| by tho husband of Stella Colas, French woman
who years ago acted Juliet in English 10 the
delight of some people and the disgust OF sober critics.
and who later married nobeman OF Russian extrac-
ton. This gentleman took hts drama to Alexandra
Dumas Unlike many OF his craft, Dumas never re-
pels literary beginner He reads whatever is brought
to him for criticism, and gives advice with a ban.
hommte that does credit to his heart. Reading lies
Danichc he recognized Its morts, but know that In
It's original shape II not playable. Tho FIRST act
stood much II does now, but from that point the
play went on into other matter. Vladimir, the hero
died. and the plot concerned with debates his
inheritance All this Dumas eliminated and con-
sructed the second, third and fourth acts with on
tirely plot characters and dialogue. In act rst
the plot Ia interesting and vol built In the thrse
acts that follow there Is much more discussion than
action Hence "Los Danlchcfs' play OF character
and conversation, especially OF conversation, for
Dumas drdmatis personG merely masks which he
puts on to illustrate his peculiar theories For this
reason "Los DanichcTs" cannot be placed among fine
plays, though II is vastly superior to IL Etrangere,"
the plot OF which Is utterly unsympathe,ic
DUMAS ANr BoUoIoAULr
Dumas says he docs not write the public, but
tho public He desires provoke dissent that he may
quell opposition. If there be dramatst diameri-
cay opposed in principle and practice to Dumas It is
Bouccault His avowed principle is to please to
ate sympathy ana to write tor the public. With him
art is the philosophy OF PLEASURE and when, not long
ago, the literary chemistry Of Dumas was pointed out
his French friend:-"Cct smperbe mails la cuisine
NEST pas up ldb0ratoirel" (s'It Is superb but tho
ss o ssn.ps a Ds' Bs sss
lie doses of medicine to purge away social evils,
but tho true. doctrine OF the drama Is hyglenic;
appropriate food and intellectual exercise
What great social evils were remedled or
performed on equity persons sitting at pay' II was
deflly done without such nauseous physlcking as the
PUBLIC CURIOSITY
But let me cease moralizng and come TO Hecuba:
Several days before the first night OF "The Dansches,"
the drama IS called in English--though why AN
should be introduced into the middle Of proper name
that originally did without 1t don't knownot stall
eligible box was 10 be- had for love or money.
Curiosity Iptoe, because OF the popularity Of
the artists especially engaged tor the piece There
was hermann vezn, who, after playing Daniel bruce
more than hundred nights, and winning golden
opinions from all sorts OF men the last man being
s nan 70 s ~ ns
Roger de Talde, French attache az ST. Petersburg.
There was John Clayton, VINO, o,l having made
For Her." returned to the ST. james, to wear the
picturesque costume OF Ossip, the serf. There
kostoo
tho noble lover, Vladimir Danischef. There WIS Mrs.
John Wood in the character Of the adroit Russian
Princess Lydia There ISIS Lydia Foole Anna
the serf Tor which she we'll suited; and there was
Miss Fanny Addison 10 appear as the proud
Countess Danischeg This last roe had been offered
to Hiss Gcnevieve Ward, who would have interpreted
1t truly did Mime. Fargcuil Tor Miss Ward has the
arstocratlc lace, figure, bearing and manner needed
but as Sardou Is writing her play, and as her debut
in French is u mere question OF tme the clever Amer
lean declined to leave Paris Her gain is London's
loss Another cause of interest IN the piece the
fact OF IT'S having been adapted by Lord Newry pop
ular Irish nobleman great lover OF the drama, and
the owner oil the Globe Theatre.
NIGHT.
Such brilliant assembagel In the stalls sat every
critic OF notc-Palerave Simpson, w. y. Gilbert, Miss
Kate Terry, Mrs. Bancroft Miss Carlota Addison, who
has recently married and retired from tho stage Hon.
Lewis wingled. Marcus Stone tho artist and many
another Lord and Lady Londesborough occupied one
| box Charles Rcnde another Madame Dolaro third
Miss Wells Bromley from the Criterion In her
her own entrance upon not distant stage All the
women were more or less pretty; a the men were
less clever The pit and gallery were crowded
and the play was 10 be judged by as intelligent
audience as London can produce.
The story Of "The Danlschefls'' is not complicated
| The Russ an family OF this name Is composed OF a
| dowager countess and only son, Vladimir Unknown
to his mother, the young man loves and is loved by
Anna, q scri, a charming girl, whom the Countess
loves almost IKE "a daughter, has educated, and re-
tans as companion The subject Of Vladimir's mar
riage being broacbed by the Countess 10 her son. no
tells her That his heart not his own, he madly loves
Anna, and II he does not marry her he'll get him
ale 81, sho oet ,t,,cl AlAe
scene between mother and son the former declares
that she will accedc to this marriage II Vladimir viii
60 to ST. Petersburg for year and give himself up to
No one meanwhile must know the subject Of their
conversation, not even Anna: II at the end Of the
claim the humble maiden. The son consents leaves
at once without being able TO exchange more than a
glance with Anna. No sooner has Vladimir depar ted
| than tho proud Countess forces Anna mary Ossp
the coachman. Both receive their liberty the mar.
| rage contract is drawn up. The opportunities for
acting on the part OF bride and groom unusually
fine. Act second transpres in the palace Of Princess
Lydia at St. Petersburg, and introduces this nnc
attache De raIde, who says brilliant things and is in
lovc-French fashion-witn the Princess: The grande
dame, however, Is cnamored Of Vladimir,
who frequents her house in obedience e
his mothers commands: Vladimir, still
told OF by his friend, Do Talde Tho not only
desires to serve the who saved his lie at bear
hunt but also aims defeating the being played
by the Princess LYDIA, whose passionate nature would
lead her TO overcome any obstacle TO gain him she
loves The Countess Danichef comes TO ST. Peters.
burg Unexpectedly, meets her the Princess Ia
upbraded by him for her trcachery and the act falls
on effective a thunder storm ever witnessed In
q drawing room.
ACTS
third Is laid in Ossip's hut He has lived there
year with Anna loving her dearly-or hc loved her
| long before his marriagc-but being to her nothing
| moro than brother. Ho knows the passion
| OF her life. Vladimir enters and is about 10
strike his former serf to the ground, roproach-
ing him with base ingratiude, Tor Vladimir
saved OssIps father and mother from death
Inn lt,u
learning OF the seri's unselsh moss revulsion oil
| feeling takes place and Vladimir sues for pardon.
Ossip will the tie that binus him to Anna--by
death II necessary. The last brings all tho drd-
mats person9 upon the stage. The Prucess Lydia has
undertaken 10 get divorce for Ossp and Anna from
| the Emperor She to that she has failed IN
her mission. The fair Princess intended TO
cecd She Ia serpent in guile. Ossip can free Anna
by joining holy order provided an imperial dispcn.