The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-29
ADJUSTMENTS.

''rhe Lyons Mail" play which has just met with
remarkable SUCCESS in London, was produced at tie
Broadway Theatre last night. with Mr.. Damper, an
actor who has achieved enviable reputation in
Australia and California, IN the dual role OF Joseph
Les urQues Dsbosc. The play Is well known TO all
old theatre.gocrs as tho "Courier OF Lyons"
and nearly every star has at one time or
other appeared IN the leading character. The murder
OF the Lyons courier ana the arrest accusation and
conviction oil Iesurques on account Of his remarkable
resemblance Dubo,c, the real murderer, forms the
story upon which tho drama is constructed. Mr.,
Dampier's playing last evening owed him 10 DO
conscientious and careful actor He is possessed OF
good stage presence, n handsome face and q sweet,
sonOrous voice. He reads well, and never stoops
to the stage tricks TOO often adopted by actors to WIN
applause He prefers rather TO develop tho character
the play progresses than to make "ponts" Tor
effect at certain stages of the drama. "The Lyons
Ma affords opportunity Tor an actor 10 do SO, but
the true artist conscientiousy avoids the temptation
Tho great charm Of Modjeskas acting was the avoid
Of claptrap, preterring to picture well defined
character than 10 act sone brilliantly after
ward relapse into tamencss. MIR. Dampier'sActing
showed that no has STUDIED in similar school The
hrst three acts OF "rhe Lyons Mail" affords little
chance for acting tho fourth aud fifth acts
strong, Is in those acts that Mr. Dampier shows
fourth and that with Fouinard toward the close
the play, fine pieces OF acting The honors of
tween the child Lily. as Joliquet, and Mr. Charles
Lecierq F0uinard Tho acting OF Lily meritsd all
tho applause bestowed upon It. ana she was recalled
to the stage IN the middle OF q scene. LeclefQ was
excellent in his make up and acting. Mr.. Wardc, as
Choppard, vas good, but loaned little too much
10 the low comedy business Tor the sake OF effect
Mr. Ringgold, Courso, did the little he had 10 do
well, and Mr.. Hind, as Jerome Lesurques, nearly
destroyed Que Of the most cnscsvs The play
by being imperfect hts lines MISS Jefireys.Lewis
Jeane, acted fairly and The ue Lesurqoes OF Hiss
Carlotta Evelyn was remarkable for nothing partcu-
larly good or bad. The remainder OF the Cast was
fnir. Taxing into consideration first nights repre-
ntation the piece passed OF smoothly and Mr.. DAM
pier achieved success.
THE FIFTH AVENUE TBEATRE-"rHE DEAD
SECRET"
farce, in one act, by J. Madison Morton, called
"My Precious Betsy" opened tho enter,ainmen at
warmly applaud the idea OF farce before the play
cannot applaud this performance. There are /, many
good farces TO be had sior the taking that we
are surprised that better than this
was not selected. IL lacked both wit and
humor. Its only redeeming point was that
introduced Mr. James Lewis who Is an old favorite.
for the first time this season, and he was warmly re-
ceivcd upon his appearance. OF the drama which
followed The farce there Is little say that good.
The piece been played In other forms. both hero
and in London, but without much success. "JaZebel"
was its original name, and "Jazebep' it should
still be called The play is of Mr..
Boucicaults adaptations, ana IN certain paris
we see the work Of the clever draInatisl's
hand. The heroine OF the play Is u thoroughly cor
rupt French woman, who assumes her dead mistress
place ana marries the man whom her mistress WIS
about marry. AZ the betrothcd pair had met
this was easily accomplished. The character is unre-
deemed by single good quality. Il is not only down.
right bad, but downright vulgar Indeed, the whole
atmosphere oil the piece is immoral and unhealthy.
The illusions aud jokes are exceedingly coarse.
Even the old man. Captain Brcitman, whom
Mr. Couidock aid his best 70 make paatabe, Is moth
Ing more less than old rake with Kind heart
MISS Katherine Rogers played the heroine and It Is
doubtful compliment TO say that she played well.
There Is denying that the character was shown up
IN all It's omisng responsiveness Mr. George
Clarke making his first appearance at this theatre
his return from England, played George D'Ar.qucs
IL was IN heavy parts that he at his BEST
Mr. Clarke still retains many Of those pecuarites OF
style tor winch bis acting was conspicuous iour
years ago. HIS European training has failed TO glve
him polish. MI. James Lewis played Cristol, his
original part, and was very amusing a5 the much
married Ne xican. Mr. Couldock was quie fresh and
GOOD 10 the old captain IL not his fault that
hs scene In tho second act dragged. The
drsmatist Is to blanc tor that. Miss ANNE
Edmouson who Is excellent soubrctte, was out OF
her element IN tho motona part OF Gretcncn. Mr.
and not unlike Devilshoot in tho Bohemian
Girl" Miss Blande and Miss Edith Thyme aud
Mcssrs. Angney and Bassett were quito good their
several parts The peco showed evidences OF a care
IN It's preparation that was worthy OF a better