New-York tribune., 1878-10-02
THE DRAMA.
RororETS AND BOMBsHELLs.

Brilliant plays are, generally, little wicked,
and exemplary plays are, generally, little duh BOu
ouets and Bombshes produced last night at the Park
Theatre-is work Of the latter class Yet not wholly
40 for in the last two Of its four acts several passages
are lighted up with equivoke of language, and made Gu
tertaning with crOsspurposes and general mystlhca
ton These-coubined with four elaborate and hand
some sets OF scenery. and combined, likewise, with
a vigorous assumption Of merrlment on the
mart Of several Of the actors who implicated in the
perormance-served last night to commend the work to
goodnatured public acceptance The theatre was well
filed; and the assemblage evnced its frequent satsfac-
tiop IN laughter and paudts Much Of this result was
due to the droleTy of James Lewis. The genial nature
OF the topic Of the play and the spacious and petur-
esoue Fort scene-whch is its chief pictorial feature
contributed TO the effect Upon the piece Itself it would
be Idle to bestOw than passing word. 1t is as
thin as soapbubbe, without possessing either the air
meas or the grace or the irridiscent color OF that
gossamer type OF the fragile and the beautiful 1t pur
ports to come from the German, and its Gilatory
ment and clumsy form sufficient guarantees Of the
Teutonic origin. German youths have been known 10
derive exquisite mirth from tossing pretzels Much
this OF thing Is sometimes done In their humorous
literature. II IN Bouquets and BOmbshells."
The piece Is conceived and written in that frivolous
farcical style which contemporary writer's appear
10 consider the style Of comedy The principal comic
incident is an abortive attempt made by the hero
OF the piece 10 cut of, with immense
pair Of shears ribbon from lady's bouquet This
is Rip Van Wlnke trying 10 steal the bottle from bis
wife's pOuch-an incident sufficiently appropriate and
seryioeable IN drama but very much like horse
play when modified into exploit in a ballroom. The
scene laid In England but there is attempt at de-
pctiug tie manners Of any place earth. The chief
person begins with being what ia here known as " a
squirt" and ends by turning out sort Of Lord Ipsden,
John Mldmay and Don Felix rolled into one. There Is
eave,3roppng keeptEe slender action IN move
meni There l. drill sceDe which recalls the military
nonsense IN struck OIL" and hundred old farces.
The points are only made in action but Immediately
explained in words There Is much hiding Of women in
different rooms TO elude old colOnels observation
and Mr. James Lewis has drunken scene, and is shaken
and pushed about. AID generally disheveied. Mr..
George Clarke glides easily through the Of this
heavy fOlio and once utters serious speech
The idea Of the piece that he specifically
volatile aud set and good at heart This hero, who
sends bouquets all the ladies' Is heard Of duelis
for protection of the honor Lady to whom he Is
unknown; and AZ last, he wins tho OF "A bright
widow The details only glanced at here, are seen
bc uIyla II j.. In brief, case OF mere literary pie
crust There Is no question OF literature involved In tb'
ronsderal ion Of such work. IL may be worth while
10 tell Mr. D. W. shannon. however. that transpired
docs not mean occurred" His farce. have said
co,Sdera aly amused patient audience. The performs
nnce was exceeding artificial, except nthe case OF Mr.
IrNyi-. viii gave ! "a touch OF real hunOf.