New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-02
THE DRAMA.
THE PRINCESS ROYAL.

This is the first dramatic novelty of the
Easter II presented Saturday night, at
the Fifth Avenue Theater, andi by
and uncommonly appreciatye audience. 1t is meo-
dramahat is to say piece made of situations which
are embeshed with fine stage pictures and which are
denoted and emphasized by musical accompaniment.
1t has been freely translated from the French orig
ina "EOiicier de Fortune" which furnished Mr.. Bouci
cault with happy idea for a scenic effect in The
Shaughraun," and which furnished Mr. Rowe with
basis for The Hero of the Hour" 1t telsn four acts,
and by means of the wellworn but still useful and judi
cious dramatic expeden OF presenting successive series
OF epOdes-a fancul story OF the loves and fortunes
OF Baron Trenck and the sister Frederick the Great
In the element of narrative it departs from what is ac
cepted as history but that Will not he deemed defect
by those who consider that history is quite useful
when 1t adorns tale when il points moral In style
1t is thin weak and commonpaceal its persons nine
teen In number, being alike in the use of a feeble
and colorless vocabulary. Style, however in mclo-
drama, Is less important than in tragedy comedy AS
long the persons are kept TO their identity and the
situations and effects made vivid and strong, mco
drama sufficiently well written. This result is reached
1.-THE Princess Royal" An interesting story, of love.
war; adventure, mystery secret Vaccinations. virtue op-
pressed fidelity endangered, and trcacheTy unmaskcd
and punished, illustrated herein through dozen
pOpuous and stirring scenes and the spectator of the
play follows this current of action with desire to
know where it will end.
particular mold of romance in which The Princess
Royal has been is old the hills and it may
to him that the ENHANCEMENT, which 1t is the
business OF the piece make and unmake has been pro-
Tacted almost TO the verge Of tediOusness He Will
leave it, however, with pleasant remembrances of action
and color and with the that fancy has been FED
with animated fiction "The Princess Royal" accord
ngly is of its kind successful play. Its name and its
worth comprchensively indicated in the double
statement that it ranks in the same class with The
Three Guardsmen" and The Dukes Motto" though i'll
erOr 20 BOTH and that is of the plays that no per
can fully enjoy who approaches it with knowledge
Of its plot Certain stories are read but once When we
know that "the murderer gets the love of Gonzagos
WIFE," in full possession of the subject No reader
intending to Z" The Princess Royal" would thank
the Journalist who should its Incidents Enough,
by way of reference TO its material 10 say that depicts
the love Of soldier and princess the wrath of king
the duplicy of a SPY, the conduct and influence OF
secret political conclavc the affecting strait and the
manly heToisu OF brave true man and lover uninstly
accused Of crime committed by an enemy the dlsc0m-
future and death Of hideOus traitor and the vndcaon
of honor love- and virtue. The first act OF the nero IS
one gallant service to the heroine and Of greyous Of
f,nsc to her foe Pcrous meetings and private mar
riage ensue and then ordeal Of danger deity
brought by the conduct of the herO5 receant rea-
tive There one and but one, essentially and deeply
dramatic in this plly-tnat in which the Princess
Royal besccches the King spare her husband, at least
from q felOn's death and i'll which Frederick Irenck
avovs the guilt of "a breach OF martial discipline and so
plofcrs his life to guard a womans secret. The rest,
with slender exception, ia theatrical stuation-Ofen
Ingenious though and pced here and there with conf
cay as well as romantic tone
The performance on saturday night lasted four hours.
Portions Of the play found 10 be heavy, aud these
Will lie omitted The scenery attracted general admira-
ton The changes OF scene in act third made by
4 panoramic method which is novel and pretty. The
distinctive characters III "The Princess Royal" are
1aalie Frc6eic; TrcHck, Francis TreHck Frederick the
Grcat KerRcr, La Metric, and Spke. These were pre-
scented by Miss Davenport, Mr. Coglan, Mr. Fisher, Mr.
studey Mr. Hardenherg, and Mr.. Lewis Mr.. Coghlan
more away the honors of the occasion. lie thoroughly
romantic feeling very earnest, never excessive III the
romance and therefor ridiculous, and In doubling
for tho two Trencks he gave to each an individual
character, in strong contrast as TO essence ana yet
kindred in superficial quality Miss Davenport was bril-
liant to see as the Princess but her acting some
what conventional where it shoud have been romantic,
npassioned ardent and picturesque asin the scenes OF
the lovers parting ard the kings vcngeance-and it may
not be napt to suggest that the conception is too much
in the mood Of every day But Miss Dayenpos beauty
and force, together with her dashing demeanor
and Respondent apparel, invested with rich
vitality the in which she participated
Mr. Fishers ideal of Fyederich the Grcat,an identity
we'll taken and consistently kept,was found to combine
sinister humor with sIbdued fcrOcity His acting main
tanned at every point the essential element of Illusion
La Metric. though but SKETCH made, by Mr.. Har-
dcnberg a good image of diplomatic speciouSness Mr..
Lewis furnished the fun OF the piece in the part of
soucaly little valet. Connie selicomplaccncy. strenu
ously selfasserve alongside OF serious experiences Is
ALWAYS auChable in nfe and this comedian has the art
10 make it so upon the Mr.. Studey filled, in an
cmincntly satisfactory the part OF the double
traitor When this bis natural vehemcnce
he can make stage villain real aud probable, and win
tbe tribute of universal detcstaton. 1.-THE Princess
Hoval" WAS received with favor on Saturday night
There were recalls fer the chief players and there were
calls for second showing of several Of the scenes The
niece did not make "a great hit, but it was launched
auspcously and the indications are that 1t will have
remuncrative run.
Mr. Daily announces that he has made an engagement
with Nelson who will appear at the Fliih Avenue
Tlcater on the 9TH OF May, Viola in Twelfth Night
This performance IA recall it, is thoroughly Shakes
1rean full of poetic feeling. delicate mlrth, graceful sen
tinept and innocent gte and think it Will afford to
this public luxury OF passing pleasure and brilliant
remembrance. This actress is now In the enjoy
ment Of much success the California Thcatcr-Mr
DAILY also announces that Miss Fanny Davenport VIII
take benefit at the Fifth Avenue Theater on the ION
of April when she Will enact Camille, WIFI Mr. Coghlan
az armand and that the present season at the flfih
.vcnue will be ended by the production late IN May or
an adaped version of a French play Oh Roman sub
tect entitled "Opma" The season will end on the st
of lime The theater has been closed but ior d single
night in 90 weeks.
MCCULLOUGH AT BOOTHS.
Mr.. John Mccullough will appear at Booths
,ooor to-picbt in the character OF VrgiuS The rep
uation Of this actOra man whom adversely coma not