The New York herald., 1878-09-25
AMUSEMENT A

UNION SQUARE .rHEArRE--''MoTuERA AND SON"
An:ein; j.. B.oea";, Town Councillor and JINGLE
T;sSasa, Mayor Of rca; dliey and @ ''n' f'''''
caSso 81 who ! % U
sss. a fa:ss. T. 81;
Gaspnrd anewsboy. Master Ewing
Antsins Mr. r. s. sat.er
T1e saIsne,s Dc S., Andre Fanny Hor..:
Gabrielle Dc fsr; bet"ihsd to FSbrcs Miss Nina vsran
always a! sSs caS..... Msude Harrison
Ssd.as cossefs' puns,iiiaus old ad: Vim w..
ciandinc the Baroae.s' hcus.kcsper. Mrs. seymour
Ma isnne servant Mas sarah Cowsli
sa 1..'''s Miss cssnesins Smith iia
Celeste. Mary Vaughan
The play of "Mo,her aud Son'' adapted from
Sardoa's "Les Bourgeois do Pont darcy" wins pre-
scented at the Union square Theatre last night In a
style that allows little comment aside from praise.
Only the most persistent and painstaking rehearsals
could kave made so admirable '.1rst night" The
house we'll filled, and the older members OF the
company were heartily welcomed, Mr.. Thorne In
part cular being tho recipient Of tremendous
tion, SO protracied as 10 seriously embrra that
habtually cool and scli-posscsscd actor.
Tho motive OF the play Is essentially Frenchy and
yot very decent, consisting in the reverence
tor his parents. Fabrlcc, Baron de ST. Andre and son
OF deceased father bearing the same and title,
Is visited tho evening before his marriage ty
Marcelle Aubrey, woman unlawtully married by his
father and fearing that disgrace would tall upon the
family OF her dccciving yet beloved protector, on
account Of unsettled business complications made in
her interest by the Baron before his Jcccase Fabcs
discharges the debt and tho woman departs
but bolore leaving tho estate, is arrested sus-
picion OF being thief. Brought into the mansion,
to which malo and female nriguers against Fabrcs's
political prospects call every ono to witness the
probable disgrace OF Fabr,cc before his BRIDE Mar
celic refuses reveal her secret, and Cabricc lying
valsnty TO save his iathers reputation conveys
i'm mprcssiOu tnat Marcee Is his mistress. his
bride Is temporarily csrangod His mother commands
him 10 marry Narceile He reluses An air OF mys.
terry naturally pervades eVory thing; but finally tho
uncle Fabrice discovers the truth, makes II known
TO the Bsroness and the play ends IN .hc manner Pc
culiar 10 popular Uranus Ths ADAPTATION Is skiiiui
and smooth IN nearly u'! respects, but It's symmetry
and rudely marrei BY concession to Amer
prudcry In tho orisna Marcsis Is the mistress
Of Fabricc's father which would, In Frcncbsfamiy
seem particularly unusual, but by cnanging
Ihs relationship 10 that established by pretended
marriage the dead Baron Ii made Grim ina-a posi-
toa which, while aiording special stage
Tor Fabricc, found necessary to the success
OF original In tho fourth act thore is decidedly
scene between Brochat, uncle Of Faorcc, and
Mmc. Cotterot, vulgar but amusing gossip with
hidden history. which has not cvon tho redeem.
ing feature OF having any motive essential TO
play Is symmetrical, strong and bright aud pre-.
scnted as admirably as IL is cannot fail to have long
and SUCCESSFUL run.
Tho acting excellent TO a degree which tho
Union Square company has never surpassed, and,
believe, ncvor even cqual!ed. The boncrs pretty
evenly dstribuioi between Mr. Thorne, Miss Morant,
Miss Jewett and Miss Dtotz though the remainder or
the cast maio Inc most OF their parts. Tho Two
ladies' last named have parts different from
any in which they havo bocn soon for
several years, but tho change Is successful s
gratifying. Tho Marcelle OF Miss Do,z Is strong
and charactcr developing abilities heretofore
updisplayed by that actress Miss Jewett changes
from the picturesque. emotional character OF Anna
"A pfc
to that Of the ambitious, brilliant, restless,
Intriguing queen OF society Gnd vile Ot u
stupid French Mayor; and her admirers
will be grateful that she has opportunity to display
qualities which Tor seve raj years have been held
aoeyance. Mr. rhorne, as Fabr;ce, exceeded his old
sef and exhibited intensity Of feeling from first 10
last Miss Morant, as mothor OF FaDrico md idow
OF tho Baron was excellent throughout To Mr Par
sclio and hrs wilkins the principal humorous stua-
Mr.. Bowscr. inpccun'ous editor, was cx-
ccedingly Frcuchy and effective, contributing con-
siderable to The comic element OF the Ciece.
MISS Sarian made very pretty bride. and mprove ed
characterized. tor some reason that NOBODY can find
out, IA gentleman who ~ dead broke, I" had only
10 play the pnrt of gentleman, und, consc-
qrcrtiy. had no opportunity 10 DO The
Ramsey and Hiss = Harrison were fairly
good In two suggestive but in;onscqucnt
pirts. The ouiy prominent Flemish OF tEo pefioi m
ancc occurred during the cenorment 10 the 1fth oct
Marcc.ic toward The ST Anires was inado known,
several oil the principal characters whO according 10
their parts, should scveraly have maiicsted astunis
ment, glacness, disappointment ana anger grouped
concerned them no longer. In general, however,
both play and play excellent, he the
costumes were In keeping with the established
reputation oi the house.