New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-11
THE DRAMA.
WALLACK'S THEATRE-WON AT LAST.

WALLACK'S THEAIRE-WON AT LAST.
A first night at Wallack's Theatre is, to the
play-golns public of NcwYork, time of great enjoy
meut This house then, peculiarly, seems Tapped IN an
atmosphere OF refinement and Of high social vitality
Goodwill sprgLtmess, thought, taste and fashion per
wade the place and rule the occasion Last night was
one Of these festivals, when, for the first time,
was represented play by Mr. Steele Mackaye,
entitled, "WOn Last This was set ~
costly and handsome scenery, acted with extra
ordinary felicity of talent, and received with warmth
OF public such seldom finds manifestation in this
d,corous theatre. The wallack audience Is usually
cool; last night II full Of flame; and, if
cqulyoci popular welcome be considered conclusive,
won al Last may be set down upon the instant,
thorough and really brill ant success There reasons
FOR believing that this verdict Of tic public heart will
be- and will remain, the verdict Of Tie best Judgment Of
the time
"Won At Last" is described upon the play-b as d" a
comedy drama" 1t is in fact a social play Of a highly
meodramauc character II trayerses-from different
point Of view, aud by different pathway-much the
same ground that trayersed by Mr BoucCauts play
OF Marriage 1t lacks the occasional satin texture Of
that piece however and it lacks the always felcltous
light touch which is one Of Mr.. Bouc
cault's best talents. Upou the other hand,
comes more near the heart than its Iredcces-
ior in the field Of marriage, and IL contains much
more OF the blood which is the life This brief and pass
ug spray OF comparison H. Of course, down sugges
Nj "a
Everybody is thankful when play turns out to be
good one, and no person has equal cause for imme
dac gratitude with the journalist whose duty ca Is HIM
the hazard % an instantaneous judgment Mr. Mdckaye has
built up in five acts dramatic exposition OF a very
painful domestic experience, which yields strong
theatrical situations and which exerts high and deep
'uGuencc-strong pure sweet, and wholesome. 1t can
not be called new; the materials for the most part
.veIknown and wel-worn: but they have been dis
crectly chosen ana ably handled. The strength OF
the play In It's analysis Of TIE passions and affections
The comedy passages cheap and coarse. The pivotal
idea that blaze rake who has become the husband Of
~ innocent woman shall for q time be alcnatcd from
her. not by cOnduct-which, though rcDrehcHsOle ia
thing o. the past, and might be explained and cX-
teuuated but by spiritual condition, which
cauuot De justified. This man-not a common typo, we
wIshiu TO believes passed through severe trial,
amidst circumstances al times almost preposterous and
always romantic until at last he won back 10 spiritual
lie as wollas 70 tAc happiness Of married love IL were
long % tell the several situations that ensue upon his we'd
ding and upon bis wlfs immediate discovery Of his past
ofgacy aud present Lcartlcssucss. There is 10 need
in fact for recopiulation Of that kind at the moment
justice viii be awarded 10 the author whO received a
NOeious call before the curtain a the end % the fourth
at ana WHO came forward and bowed and had the grace
ana taste not 10 speak, when it is said that Won al
Last contains good plot, good characterize not much Of
h-&ood eject and profound undertono OF wholesome
moral suggestion There passages in the second act
which should De OUT there tendency al through 10
press too strongly on the situations and there is
some cluusiuess in the machinery Of the fourth
act Mr. Mackaye however, has given the old
PACK OF cards new and vigorous shL.Qle and
mas cut king. Mr. Montague acted the principal
part with real power. Mr. Gberts paterna sweetness
OF nature was finely expressed Miss Rose Coghan who
h'f Deal III strong sentiment acted most admirably,