New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-25
MOTHER AND SON.

The measure of the public bliss is now full.
The cOpOus ibaons which, of late, have been poured
into 1t from the local theatrical fOunts Of JOY leave no
for Fortunately there is more, AT pres
ent. to come. few bungs may, indeed remain to be
started, here and there but, with the reopenng OF
the Union Square Theatre for the regular seasonwhoh
effected, last night in overwhelming splendor-the
dramatic barrels for 1873 and 70 may be considered
preached And this is fortunate and comforting
fact Were there many such Taptures at hand as
the stage, in all directions has recently vOuchsafed this
community might well exclam, with Portia, love,
be moderate allay thy ecsaey scant this excess-for
fear surfeit" There point, we believe, at which
even the oapacious Fat Boy became full and fell asleep.
The comfort which has along at the Union Square
Theatre is which addresses itself to the heart that
has truly loved and that therefore never torgets-an
organ most rife and lively in this neighbOrhood.
Mother and Son "-in other words-s drama upon
amatOry topics of the most complex and mOmentous
kind. To describe it, in much detail, would be to dis
cuss subject which old-fashoned misconceptions no
doubt. in the new age-wOuld deem unfit for dis
cussOD To describe it in general terms will not, we
trust offend the delicate sensbiy Of the theatrical
public. This piece in which sonstriving to shield
HIS mother from the knowledge that her dead husband
his father-was aduerer and rascal. takes shame
upon himself and bears 1t till accident relieves him OF
the burden The story exceedingly pathetic, and the
play that tells it very strong Details can be spared
No gentleman would think Of discussing such theme
with the of his family lady would listen to his
views upon such matters. That the subject exists is
true; and is also true that persons whose vision Is
bounded by the circle Of heatresan august and sanc
fed circle OF course and full OF genuse and other gems
Of humanity I-cOnsdeT it to be the first subject Of
the age Yet 1t is just possible that num-
bers of men and exist who do
not require to be taught honor through
the analysis OF shame and who OF bad odor
when the lifted from the casketet us say Of
the French drama The immediate, practical
point remaus this play of Mother and Con tedious
at the ouset-is the best French play that has been
It is-after two acts of preparation - well
constructed, and 1t is well written. II =" Led
Astray popular this should be more than popular
for much better piece, The chief situations In II
are Of description that agOnze every heart that can
really feel them That they really felt by the crowds
volatile people that stand ready to them, no OBJ
server the general shaOwness Of human nature will
for moment believe They filled last night with
power and tenderness and talent Of far more than
common worth, by Charles Thorne and Linda Detz.
These players showed depth OF feeling and repOse
and honest thOTOughness in execution which aroused
equal establishment and delight. For them, and, in a
less way for MI Parsellc, Miss Marie WILKINS and Miss
Fanny Morant, this occasion was one OF bril-
liant success. More OF this matter there Is no
time to relate. Mother and Son f." viii keep
the stage for many nights to come and many tears
will be she'd over it, and many dsquisons will be ut
tered concerning 1t. The of all may be said In
word: It is capital dramatic treatment Of sins and
that ought never to for the benefit
Of audience. There nothing novel IN it but the de-
wees Of the treatment-some Of which are very in
genlous The house was full, and the piece was taken
ut once into favor.