The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-24

"A Celebrated Case" In Union square
Thentrs.


Celebrated Case" was produced at the Union
square Theatre last evening, somewhat in adj
vance Of the day originally set for its perform
ancc. Recent discussion growing out Of the
rivalry Of two prominent playhouscs. and the
interest felt in the piece. may have given the
throng at the theatre last evening an extra avid
ity but il is only fair to say that almost any new
piece summons the critical multitude. when the
piece il presented ut the Union square. " A
Wonderful Case" which Is the not very literal
English title for what is known in France as
the Cause Cclrbre" IL in six acts or tablcau-,
and consequently played on the first night to
very late hour. 1t IL melodrama OF the genus
made known to us in " The Two Orphans
bur lacking in its later scenes the purely object
i've force Of that work. Like all PLAYS o. this
order its ingenuity 81 plot and intensity OF sit
uation hold the attention and excite the inter-
est. 1t is not u play of character. hut OF circum-
stance. and the craft Of the playwrighis is per
haps not weakened in popular estimation by
their Disregard " probabilities. Nessrs.
DEnncry and Cormon have worry clear pr
crpflOn ut the average man ana woman want at
the theatre. and they have fashioned The Get
ehr4ted Case to meet that want, Tho utmost
praise that ran be given To twill imply TINT II
answers it, end.
The story l. one OF a murder committed In
tn" first act. Upon the conditions cf the as-
~assnation and the rir'um-iantial evidence
that "nmcShes the victim IL" subsequent action
Is hnilt. THIS victim IS privat" Jtdn Reeo"i,
soldier in the French army. played 10y Mr..
tha-, i. COgllan. Al the opening OF the play
he is supposed to be with the French forces
passing somewhere in the vicinity toward Fon-
tenoy. His wifi, is visited by n number of vii
lags gossips. who discuss the chances Of war
and the dangers TO their lovers aud hus.
the conversation. displays n magnificent
diamond necklace which WAS given to
i her ~ iei ior%sT p9'r9n "pE pr%tcrecc
which IL presumably OF great value. being COM
posed OF the most precious stones. she keeps
in u cupboard IN one corner OF the room. and
when her ncighbora have gratifed their curl
osity in looking at II -h" replaces 1t In tho cup-
T'nrn, NO sYon"r nr1 ,,n Visitors k9un tlnn
He tells his wife hastily that he left his rrgi-
mcnt to steal this visit before the battle. and
good fortune. He has succored and conforicd
a. dying man @o, on The vsd, VINO rrG SGd
conildrd to him all his papers aud jewels and
presented him with purse NJ gold. Nddelcn,e
nverioyed. locks m the treasures in the cup
board where The neck lace Is knpt. Jcon takes
loving lupk Mt his sleeping child itrieitue. en-
braces his wife. and departs. sArcely r. he ont
Of sight than a rufiian who has been "A witness
ot IL" whole transaction. enters and demands
e nddeleine the treasure in the cupboard.
While, they are struggling, the child IN
the adjoining room wakes and Is heard cry
ing Mamma The villain fears that 1t
viii alarm tho neghbors. and he finally
forces the mother TO call out To- the child t. be-
quiet and 10 inform II that the noise Is caused
10y lis papa. who has returned. In q struggle
which then ensueS Madeleine j. Killed. ant the
assassin escapes with the treasure and neck
lace id'teHe in the next net becomes the
accuser of her father. who is sentenced TO the
gallcys for life Some years "lapse. The girl
is adopted by the Countess. and the Count
among other official duties. has charge ~ the
c'nNiets al work on some pubic improvement
near his estate. and ibisHae IS thus thrown IN
contact with her father. whom she recognizes.
There ~ only one means of proving his iuno-
cVnce. and that is by finding the tOl,Ht lie Nor
nay. Nhen therefore. IN" original assassin
makes his appearance as the Count. matters are
still more complicated. He Is. however evcntu-
ally betrayed by the necklace and the innocent
man restored 70 liberty after twelve years of
Imprisonment; such, ~ brief. is the story Of
" \ Celebrated Case II appeals to the com
monest instincts with bold. effective action aud
keeps the sympathetic spectator in suspense to
the end. 1t is. therefore, a. things 20. good
play. Judged 10y higher aesthetic standard Of
good taste. IL VIII bc found 10 b" sensational
...9arse in texture. and theairic in treatment
The representation was a satisfactory one Tho
material affords fne opportunities for the Pic
torlA ELECTS. ensembles. and sharp decorative
manager of this house know 50 well how to use
The military scene Of the second tahleau the
delightful exterior. OF the third act. the ant
mating contrast Of soldiers. peasants. mobiles
and cOnyicts, together make up "a romantic pan
Drama that charms the SENSE
The performance called into service all the
members ot the Onion square company now
here. and their acting was marked 10y that rare
merit ot subordlnatlon To- the spirit ~ the whole
Mhtrh one sees only IN q corps that is EN- pllyrl
regularly together and il directed by a COM
trolling MIND that recognizes how superior are
Mr.. Coghan finds IN the emoti oual part ~ .Irdt
H'tG"d those traits. Whirh il they are not best
are certainly saved from the charge ~
sationaiism; ms Wigr misery whom IN
ness IN the lace oi the chllds testimony; his
sirugell ing and triumphant love for that child.
who has condemned him: his shame and
agony when he aft"rwari meets her: his 10Y
at her recognition and his ups bringing man
hood when he finds that she believes in his in
nocrnce-an these emotions were finely *
a llIHA NIT FrHN.s