New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-19
THE DRAMA.

WOLFERTS ROOST AT WALLACK'S.
Mr. Wallack is first in the field. The work
OF the new dramatic year began last night in his theatre
with the production OF Mr. Rowes drama OF WoferPs
Roost" "The artist" says Mr.. Longfeow shows his
character in the choice Of his subject" In choosing
subject from Washington Irving, Mr.. Rowe has once
again evnced his characteristic sympathy with what s
wholesome quaint, humorous. gentle and romantic IN
literature aud life The field INTO which he thus pene
trates has not for this purpose, been much explored
a. Rip Van Wrinkle "-remOtely OF German origin
was, to be sure, found in IT. and one NJ least
OF the tales Of " The Alhambra" has been turned
into a play-seen here, at the Grand opera
House. In March, 1878. There are other instances, but
on the whole this realm OF fiction has been strangely
neglected Irving the father OF our literature; BIS
hand laid the foundation OF the graceful structure OF
letters that Is slowly rising in this nation the sheer OF
Rogers, that he only Addison and water, ana
the contemptuous estimate Of Hazli.t, who called him
mere flagree man, were long ago lived down and
dscomted and 1t pleasant spectacle that the stage
presents thus, as now, 1t eurehes ITSELF ano Ios
ter and benefits the public TASTE at the same time that
IL DAYS tribute to memory OF the first OF American
authors Irving indeed. is not dramatic writer The
s,enrth OF bis stories and sketches resides feeling
description character and style. They do not attempt
surprises and they contain but little dialogue Yet
they are alive with the play OF ingenious fancy and hey
abound I'm suggestions Of situation The drsmatlst would
a M merely
their hints embody their descriptions, I'LL In their Out
I ~ character rearrange their Incidents and vital
m with action the movement OF their plots There is no
hotter dramatic subject In the world than the subject OK
Rim Van Wlnke ," and Mr. Bouoieault. had ne CHOSEN
% n,up his intellect to the task might have made SUI
rh lay out OF IT, instead OF the careless rearrahge'
rt Of the old piece which only the wonderful ge-
Mus of j. rersou could keep alive. Mr. Rowe has Sc
Iected the narrower and humber theme OF Ichaood
Crane - but-.s was abundantly shown IN the repre-
sentation that was given last night-he has laDofed
with fine ability skill and conscientious men'a n'
drsy 10 make the utmost that possibly could DC Aado
ctit The result Ia slnguarly symmetrical piece oi
dramatic position. aud one Of the most satisfactory
and pleasng domestic and romantic plays In the aI-
ope IL, story Is round coherent and sympathetic ana
H. five acts tell it, in action. with no excess OF wora
IT, rs are clearly Disseminated. and each Is az
once harmonious with probability with Itself, ana WIN
m historical period (aOouj 1912, in which tine scenels
cast It's movement, though little slow, Is eonlluuo'
tbrouch a series OF dramatic effects, striking climax
and "A happy elimination. Its plOt-eNpanded Out V'
hmts from "Wolfert's RoosI" "The Legend OF sleepy
Hollow and other writings OF Iryng-if not altogether
new Il commended TO favor by novelty OF treatnien"
Its incidents are numerous and, generally, are Drsn'
It's method IN displaying the central character OF
Crane-who Is made a sort OF loyable FdW ffB VI
sprghtly and energetic Dominic SaDtpsoH-sho"s u'
ueafu nmbleness OF fancy, aud the heartes relish OF
quaint and dron humor It's sentiment Is tehaer :"
spirit pure and il all thereis east an atmosPHeo
Of weird romance deftly and softly eomminged WIN
r,sc color LIS scene is mostly out-odoors, ana I'D s
use OF night and day, the weather. the trees moonS"
storm flowers sound, and silence IL SHOWS deep d"
ap feeling for the charms and the mysteries OF NATURE
it, dalogue-amost entirely original with the drana''
WIN has taken but few sentences from lrying-s un
Elected suitable 10 the subject and the several spa
ers and at times pungent with telicitous W.T. lou
never WAS faderi" says old BGIthdn 20 Bron u "eS
..No and never shall be-" answers the bafhed suof VI
Eot,fna III 20 on like this."-"Beauty Is but sAln
deep" says IeAab0d Crane. That's deep enough Sn'