New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-13
THE DRAMA.
WILD OATS.

This old comedy-revived after several years
OF repose-was greeted by crowd last night in Wal
lacks Theater and Its representation impaired genuine
pleasure. The third and fourth acts in particular
which its best, whether for invention, style.
humor-gave abundant delight and ELECTED such hearty
pauds as 1t is always comfort to hear. "Wd Oats"
as old play goers know. is mOldy in some parts The
action OF its plot for instance is advanced by occasional
distortions OF probability its excellent moralities are
vapid platitudes, and portions Of its sentiment
stllted and absurd. Equally such play-goers
ore aware that its characters form ami
mated and welcontrasted group, that its action
shadows forth. without proxity weight, interest
ing and quito elaborate story; that it is writen-as
comedy Should be written-in vein OF delicate exag-
Geraton, rightly chosen IL not consistently worked out
that its spirit is kindly and winning and that 1t uses
with humor aud skill the element Of eQuiyoque. As
example of the latter the colloquy between
Sir George Thunder and his son. In act third,
is notably fne and IL may be mentioned
being nearly II not quite good as that
gem Of comic dialogue between Lord Duberey and the
returned traveller, which adOrns "The Heir At Law
and which Is conspicuous type OF excellence in COM
edy-writing. "Wld Oats brought Mr. Walack forward
once in the character Of Rorr II one long ASSOC
ciated with memories Of the old comedians Among its
representatives in later days Edwin Adams and the late
William Wheatley are pleasantly remembered. Tie part
abounds with quotations. and has always served the
comedians vehicle for apt travesty of their varons
tragic brethren. Mr.. Wallack acted Rorer with hearth
and vp last night and was twice called before the
curtain His delivery OF Of Rores quotations was
in the manner OF Charles Kcan which he copied with hu
morous accuracy A touch or two OF Macready was
also noticed The general burlesque OF ways essen
tally OF the stage particularly clever, and was
such rs only O thorough actor OF the old school
could accomplish The fine spirit and the dash of the
part also well preserved, and they wrought pleas
ing effect. Mr.. JohE Gilbert, as Thunder. went
through the famous chOleric scene in an admirably
spirited way and aroused the house that he got tho
honor Of two special recalls amid uproarious en-
tlusasm. Mr.. f. NJ. Holland acted Tim, the rustic Out,
and entirely natural and comic that he may be said
20 have made exceptional Inland he was called ont
after his principal scene. The Ephrdim Smooth was MI
Beckett and the weknown lines about the brass. the
hair horse and the bowels of the cat were spoken
by him with all possible comic gravity. Mr. Edward
Arnott personated bluff and hearty John Dory
with right feeling good humOr, marine characteristics
and discreet ar-no OVERRIDING part easily overdone
The comic pertness Of Jenny Cannon found peppery ex
preston Miss Germon's acting. Miss Rose Wood I'M
derook Ladv Amarnnth. Mrs. Seton, Mr. Stevenson Mr.
shannon Mr.. Leonard, and other performers filled out
the castwhich is good one, and with when the COM
edy will be repeated during the current week