The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-09-25
The Dauicheas.

The play of 1.-THE Danicheffs'' is genuine
surprise in dramatic literature 1t is a drama
not unworthy of the Elizabethan stage. The
theme is heroic, and its treatment large and
noble. The play in its language as we'll as in
its motive, possesses a breadth and dignity en-
trely alien to the trivial stage adaptations,
which hold their brief hour in our theatres
through ministraton TO the caprice of the mo-
mens or usa of spectacular effect The plot is
simple and direct, the words BETTING the
theme, the action intensely dramatic. In
short the play is large utterauce worthy OF
the old dramatists.
The motive of the drama is that great strug-
gle, old as mankind but new to every genera
ton, between those who have and those who
wsh-a struggle which in Western Europe is
nearly equal, but which in the ancient domain
OF the Gears is still virtually between master
end slave. The date of the play is 1850, just
before the ukase of Nicholas set free the serfs;
but its sentiment is of later time. 1t at
tempts to rut in words the inarticulate muir
murings OF people whose limited Liberty has
inspired them with loo giDgs for larger freedom
but whose vocabulary is yet feeble and made
quate. The anachronsm is one which the
years Will Justify, for in historic perspective
the intervening days between the emancipa-
ton of the serf and his struggle for citizenship
Will blend into one. The historian will recog-
nize no difference between tho freed serf and
the aspiring subject, aud his judgment is only
anticipated by the dramatist. The drama por-
trays struggle long passed elsewhere, but at
its very height ia Russia.
The play has bsen very fortunate in its
translation, and has fallen into the hands OF
one VINO was not content with conveying its
meaning into Indifferent English, but who
has given it a dress worthy of its exalted
theme and noble expression. The language of
the translation is informed by careful study
of the masters of the English drama, and thus
the story is conveyed to English ears in fitting
words The play is aside from its purely dra-
matte interest, worthy of praise because of its
dignity of language and loftiness of aim.
The Interpretation it received at Music Hall
last evening was scarcely adequate, and yet
was in many respects good. The noble text
became sometimes grandiose instead of grand,
the action did not always fulfill the conception.
Still the representation was one full of interest,
and very pleasing. The intent Of the play
was fully if not finely set forth. There
was a want of delicacy of shading,
failure in some instances to fill the
heroic measure of the noble characters
Yet the rendition in the main was strong and
correct, and the impersonations were all IN
dertaken by actors who had good comprehen-
sion of their parts, and who played with spirit
and intelligence, The Countess Danicheif'' of
Miss Monk was finely done, and she gave
striking portraiture of the Russian dame of the
Peters and the Cathernes,-a woman who
knew no law save her own will, ruler who
was the ultimate expression and logical out
come of centuries Of unbridled license and Tn
restricted power, and who unhesitatingly sacri
feed the happiness of her son and the welfare
of her dependents to maintain the pride of her
order. But for a too evident assumption Of
haughtiness, an obtrusiveness Of rank which
savored stronger of the parvenu than of the
patrcian, manner which approximately de-
manded rather than calmly accepted homage,
the characterization would have been well nigh
perfect. The Gossip" Of Mr. Pitou was strong
and dignified. but scarcely conveyed the won.
derful pathos, the heroic self-sscriice of the
role The Gamma of Miss Harris was inteli
gently done but it wanted feeling. The ''Vla-
dimir" of Mr.. Burroughs was an impersona-
ton characterized by intelligence and correct
method, and deficient only in TIE expressions
of strong emotions. Miss Vaughan gave col
orless representation Of the Princess though
in the dialogue with the Frenchman berre
Spouse to his flppant proposal was vivaciously
done. The other characters were fairly taken.
The drama will be repeated this evening, and
those who wish to see play Of phenomenal
excellence will attend.