New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-03
TIE DRAMA.
MISS WARD AS JANE SHORE.

Another indication of awakened activity in
the local theatrical world seen in the reopenlng
OF Booths theatre, which. under circumstances
Of peculiar brihaney, was accomplished last
night In itself. and without reference TO
the proceedings by which was snazed this Incident
would merit record Of OBVIOUS soeal Importance
Booths Theatre OF the finest IN the and-strong
traditions In auspices and In possibilities OF the highest
cha1acerand the opening Of its doors Is the release
aud reGxercse OF OF the highest and best influences
that flow from the stage. Upon the simple fact that its
curtain has once more been lifted. accordingly the word
OF comment Is, properly, word OF generalization BY
tho proceedings which have attended ths reopenng tho
occurrence has been rendered still moment
Gus and delightful. These may readily DO indi.
onted in a summary statement They have Involved the
representation Of excellent legitimate tragedy the
exhibition OF an heroic and pathetic performance in
nigh vein OF tragic They have effected the intro
duction to the American theatre OF accom-.
plished actress-Miss Gonevieve ward-who certainly
adorns It. ard cannot fail TO justify her
rank among its wOrthest representatives. They
were such proceedings naturally a symps-
thetic interest and they viewed with the hearth
est satisfaction by assembage considerable in
numbers as IL was impressive In character.
Miss Ward forward In the old part Jane Shore
The historical account OF this unfortunate and wreched
woman ia well and widely known, and t need not DO
ieratad here The personality presented by Miss Ward
isrs in beauty and power and then, in wrechedness
and destituton-that OF q repentant sinner. The
condition that sAe depicts Is that OF pro.
found aud varied anguish. The torture that she
bodies aud illustrates is the dreadful ptiless, mitless
torture OF remorse The moral ideas that she enforces
are those Of e1pation and celestial charity In
the play through which she thus mOves-a play re-
markable for no peculiar beauty majesty OF
language but eminenty practical in its syle and richly
filed with dramatic situations-thcre Ia a remarkable
series Of welIdoyised scenes affecting to the heart In.
str,lctvo the mind rarely false TO tho probabilities
OF nature aud always responsive 20 the purposes OF
acting. The first shows tho downfall of the sinful
woman already contrite spirit and woful and friend
ess upon the empty eminence OF guilt The next pre-
sents her the resde OF her despOisd home at the
feet Of the husband she had abandoned aud Tnned and
at the empty Of her dead child The eer
first in resistance TO u murderous aud licenlous
tyrant and then In humble peDitenoe aud awesrieken
compassion before the woman-King Edwards wid'
owed Queen, whom she has wronged. Then comes thu
picture OF her penaacehe ffghu transcription Of her
starvation by hunger and cold. In the streets Of
ancient London. To this the rescue by her
forgYing hnsband-th0ugh 6ne and startling dramatic
noident-can be the sequel neither OF nature OF art
aud death ersues last. to nh tho measure Of tho
WAGES of sin. All these welded together in OBJ