The New York herald., 1878-12-05
ADJUSTMENTS.
..My son" Ar wA11,cK's THEATRE.

err Msiaeyer nroiessor Of music Mr. Harry Beckett
Herr Herr Eoar 1Sa 3 " shannSn
andor young hussar MIR T. n Holland
FrenRer weises workmsn NJ ii IL Pearson Pearson
popps an apprentice ce...............Mr Mr. z f. Edwin %
So',iss Children ot Rudolph Mamie MetormasS
Clara Herr weses daughter Miss Rose coghsn
Snn Fran wnsr iii Miss ins Mms afri Pams
@ %i!j%sr Sisters. M,s ssi,s ass ,a@ls,i
Fran sclnzcl, the Lanntress Miss Il. Biasde
An English version OF l. Arronge s German comedy
"Mein Leopold. was produced to crowded house
at Wallack's last evening, under tine title of
my Son." 1t is in five acts. employs twenty
speaking characters, took nearly four hours
to play, and received with frequent
applause Messrs. Gilbert and Barron each fur
nished with strong parts, which they interpreted
with their accustomed ability and to the satisfaction
of the house.
1t is q pleasure for once to get away from the
lord and lady style of comedy at Waack's
and come down to homeer types. In these modern
German comedy abounds. and glad that the
English translators, DR.. F. Harris and Mr.. Frel.
Williams did not attempt to transplant the
whole thing to England or America, but
have preserved the action and locality OF the
original. If they had restrained themselves at
this point they would have done well. but
instead we find that hux of hippant verbal
wit, not of very high order either, has been
spread over it, which in many points destroys
the German honesty of the dialogue The
play is duse to the point of distraction Brisk in
movement, if not direct in purpose. in the first two
acts it is weak i'll the third and fourth and is finally
saved in the fifth by pathetic situations which
terribly long drawn Notwithstanding all these
drawbacks, it is strong character play and if
lentlessly cut should enjoy continuance of the
favor bestowed on it by the enthusiastic first
night audience. The author was evidently embar-
rassed by his riches. but having laid out
huge German feast in the beginning he felt himself
bound to see every Wand disposed of, regard
less Of the digestion Of his guests Briefly,
wealthy but uneducated shoe manufacturer,
Herr Wiege resolves that his shall be gentle
thrift am and disspates his fathers means His
daughter, Clara. incurs her fathers anger by
engaging herself to marry his foreman. Rudolph.
an honest workman. and he turns her from
his house. Enraged ut this treatment, Rudolph
to let the old man set foot in his house
eat his bread until he has come upon his knees to
him. Tho father ruined by his sons extravaganza and
crime in running away with another mans money.
is reduced to his old trade Of shoemaking The
has fled to America where he reforms and. aided by
the stern but kindly Rudolph becomes independent
man in tivc years and comes home Just az the poor
old father brought to his soninlaws feet by strata
gen. has been restored to the family circle At the
same time he finds the girl who loved him. and whom
and everybody is made happy. We cannot here
more than indicate the number of by currents into
sion The first act takes place in the house of
Herr wilmer, poor Treasury clerk, who with his
wife and three charming DAUGHTERS, il celebrating
with Leopold, the 'son' of the play. Here also is
introduced one of the funniest characters
mad 'he lover Linda wneps fnss'' He oass 'i in
and out through the piece. playing tunes upon
FF' nnny d as Thes ss visited IT Ss Swr Herr
| Wegel. their landlord, the doating father Of
Leopold. who wants Herr wilmer to swear that
tall hnS hnnoo ha dnCirn fn rarf
into stable for his sons horse. wilmer refuses
and the ast closes effectively with quarrel between
takes place in Wegers house. where introduced to
the worthless son, the good daughter and the
latter Is Of the best pieees Of ge eomeay
We have seen in long time. The father spurns the
daughter for her choice Of husband S an" and
pivot Of the play. The third act takes
place in sumptuous breakfast room. and
shows the doating father waiting on his disspated
son. whose loose morals and mean character dis
played in his proposals for mercenary marriage Herr
q
| to permit him to visit his house The fourth act
| is in beer garden. and is weighted with
but only helping the story by relating the ignomin
ious flight Of Leopold. who does not appear. Five
cobbler is, as we have stated. brought back to his
| family.
notice. four or Ave good characters which
contribute to the amusement OF the gods if
not to the strength OF the play. In the old
father, whose fondness for his leads him
into harshness to his daughter and finally
to ruin. Mr.. Gilbert, found . part adj
mirably suited to him, and he was
followed throughout with hearty plaudts. 1t is
q fact significant in itself to find this vet
eran on the night which closes his ff-
tieth year upon the stage embody so
vigorously and complex character. Long may
he flourish. To Mr. Barron fell the next honors of the
evening, his Rudolph being strong and hearty
it could be made. Messrs. Beckett, Brougham.
Rockwell, Holland and shannon each deserve praise.
Miss Coghlan had q part much within her pow
ers but she played 1t with nice effect.
Miss Stella Boniface the keen witted
Linda wilmer was to better advantage than
ever before on this stage. Nine. Ponisi. Miss
Efhe Germon and Miss Meta Bartlett also
worthy OF honorable mention. Indeed. every
part wel played and the piece so admirably
set that much of the RESPONSIVENESS Of the play