New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-16
THE DRAMA.
LEMONS.


This tropical fruit rpened in the storm, last
night, at the Fifth Avenue Theatcr, and was pucked
with pleasure by numerous and merry company.
Lemons" is thrce-act farce interviewer with comedy
threads. ard written in bright STYLE and IL has all the
zest that its implies. Mr. DAILY has adapted 1t from
a translation of German play. IFS scene Il the draw
ing-rOom of dwelling New-York. Its action passes
in place and day. 1t the light breezy frothy
illustration of tangle Of purposes 1t is repete
with Incidents and most OF them are comicaL IL can
scarcely be thought involve dramatic story. and
altogether, it is so essentially of the eossaner Quality
that it eludcs anything like firm touch. The
scheme that dozen persons OF various character ana
degree shall he brought together in enc place. and that
their relations and affairs shall be mUdded by the mach
nations of two individuals. of these aru old
lady who wishes regulate all around her. the other is
amiabe. drOll, slightly mschicvOuS young elbow VINO
seeks bit of fun 1t is the adys maxim that the world
is composed of lemons and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. she
purposes squeeze This hints at The rcleyaIce OF the
title There pretty little love epSodes-notaby one
in which two young lovers communicate by successfully
kissing a little child. 1t would take columns to mar
rate the thousand little nOthngs OF which The piece Is
made. 1t contrasts with good effect formal irish
nobieman and an eccentric American ohicer-Lo'd
LOTUS and Major GOoSebeTy-who are trustees OF an es
tate and are often in conference cooquy. 1t devocs
much space to the pOrraure OF Major GooSebGTU pro
posing when drunk. marriage with the strongminded
old lady, from which he Ieccdes when sober. II gets
much sport out Of the sketch OF this adys vanity ana
justification, when she wrongly su"poses the noblemar
TO have proposed for her hand IL pictures lovers in
net and laughs the mimic rouDlcs-SO soon to be
smiled and kissed away. Ii is III Tact thin but woithy
tissue of frvoies that play in dancing light over story
OF human experience There is not much beneath the
surface to he sure but what there is of 1t is sweet
and pleasant, and il the treatment or lnc
dents is little prolx, the Incidents them
selves are deity devised and are the proper
impulscs 10 laughter. Mr. DAILY has given his play the
benefit of an excellent cast Mrs Gilbert and Mr. CoGh
Ian act the moving spirits of the pieceas Mrs STARK
and lack PERRIN. These significant. ME-
Gilbcrs comic vitality and Mr. CoSas quiet drollery
Involving so much crisp uttcrance and airy noncha
Ian, ewere steadily effective aad kept the spectators
in rippe of laughter. Mr. Lewis acted In the vein OF
eccentricty and broad humor for which hc
is notable, and took tina house by storm
with his portraiture OF comic inebriety The
pretty characteristic ways OF Miss Davenport, as
bouncing voung beauty who be petish and tanalz
ing gave grace and charm a slender female parsonage
who pairs off with the fascinating Jdck The Irish
noblenan was invested by Mr.. Brougham with the In
nate fine feeling and the spontaneously nigh manner tha
apperain 10 arstocracy Of the mind and feelings is
pty such types what ought 10 be not oftener
seen and studied. Nobody ever go far wrong VINO
makes chyalrous dclicacy the principle OF even
the comrnoncst actions of his life. The piece is
not much helped by the part OF the drunken Drummer
but Mr. ardenbeg allowing for colOrs too thicky laid
on made this slight parsonage conspicuous light i'll the
stage picture new scene painted by Mcssrs Roberts
and Witbam gives brilliant establishment 10 TINS rlece
which is so compact merry incidents and exhlr-
atng that If cannot fail 10 please many audiences
uu.. go. IL. foil nuTs