New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-01
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
MADISON SQUARE THEATRE.


kind welcome to the revival OF Mr.. Mackayes drama
or Won at Last which has been Effected under cir
cumstances of much interest. at she reopened and
newly-named establishment In Twenty! ourth-st. here
after TO be known tie Madison Square Theatre.
"Won at Last" now designated by the suggestive
though rather elusive AL dubious title OF After
math'" long 20 made It, mark, when acted at Wal
iack's The. and generally recognized and
cepted . strOng, tender, wholesome. wellcon-
snuctec an eoquently VIII play illumratiye OF a
delicate an not uncommon phase of real life, and in
structtvo % r ugh the mediom Of moral suggestion.
The prem ~ the piece are, PERHAPS little forced.
The charac' Of Fleming is predlc as very
OF the dead volcano KIND that, possibly. fire of pas
sion Gor rain OF tears could 1t again to
bloom The humor OF the play is somewhat insufficient.
and decidedly thin. The characters occasionally pro-
cced to dialogue. in directions winch quite In
consequent their ruling attributes they talk
than they act There is preachy twaug
amidst the Incidental loyensling, which helps to as
sevt the mOralst before the dramatic artist. Yet the
story Is deeply interesting, fU OF significance dramat
icay presented for the part, embellished with
several fine types Of domestic and eccentric char
actor and peryaied by charmngly delicate spirit Of
sentiment, romance. aud humanity. 1t succeeded be-
fore. when presented WalacK and 1t should succeed
now, As presented at the Madiso- Square On the FOR
mor occasion John Fleming was acicd by the ameuted
Montague. In this revival this principal character IL
presented by the author himself. Mr.. Macsaye has
now the OF acting lie is. 90 be overmuch
inclined to elaboration and Diuue detail and this
tendency imparts 10 Lis acting certain tnge OF s!oh
and heavincss but performance j. perfectly sym
metrical, aud 20 the pivotal points II leans INTO posi-
tive brlhancy. His action, the or the ch7i
lcnge. is strong with it's resolve. deeply impressive
with It's o. suppressed ferociy, and dazzling with
its beautiful vidness OF expression at the final caias
trophe. His Identification with the character Is entire
and deeply earnest, and 80 natic Observation-Disclosures
too much frcscOcd with aud stlrts and facial
gumacesis frau|nt with delightful variety and almost
endless shades Of expression With this It s nota
be-(luI the scene Fier.agS painful conversation
with his alicnGte0 wife, ~ act GecOnd, may be selected
fine specimen OF MS f. lefty Of treaimcnt-tbai the
gesture always preceJs accom- auies the word and
that there i. invaFiab, harmo between idea, feeling
movement quicsceuce, look and tone. Mr.. Mackaye
certainly has not expended in vain the studous aDofs
of The years hs SOME wi .musing experms nt at
what Is now the Fifth Avenue Theatre. in the exposi-
ton OF the system o. Desatte. He then seemed an anna
teur he is act4i-and Of signal ability ana
excellent achievement: me reception accorded to MN
at the Madison Square Theatre has been exceedingly
cordial and enthusiastic aud the public pleasure, alike
in his wise choice Of players and mis- sKfu use OF his
tiny stage. has been made known with generous en-
phasis Tie cast of Won at Last A" tncludes &. W.
! Coudock rs Professor Tracy, Edward Lamb as mayor
Bunker Frank T. AIKEN - va Tracy j. c. Padgett as
! BarOn Won SDicgcl. dos Frankau rs Dr. Stirling,
/ g.. l..
| Inring-a d .butante-as Grace Wsmiag, Gabrielle
du sand as Mrs Sophie Bunker Laura lie Claire as Mrs
TraeL Geneyieye Rogers Hora EzgiGgie, and Helen
Sedgwick as June The performance OF Mr. CoudOck Is
in thai vein OF simple tenderness aud quaint eccentrciy
-hOnesy maco FuOwn face. voice, and action--for
which he il SO highly and Justly dstin guishcd ana
this is one OF the gems of true acting. The animation
and pquancy OF Mss du Saud. the adventures give
lively zest 10 The representation, and this is augmented
10y the busting humOr Of Edward Lamb-at all times "A
droll comedian and il this instance well fitted with
part that admits o! eccsndc tree nent Much atten-
ton Of course settles upon tho performance OF the
dcbutante The acting OF Miss Agnes Loring, though
obviously crude ia such as commands recognition for
distinct ab " and uncommon promise. II revealed
great force character definite intellectual purpose
acute seusi5.bty quick Of the significance and
value of dramatic situations ample capacity Tor the e1-
preston OF hvsterca CmOtious and OF an inexperl-
enced remarkable seicontrol and command
Of the resource, posture movement gesture and facial
and vocal expression. The efficiency in these latter par
ticulars indeed marker by that gracefuness which
Is the result merely Of careful and prOtraoted train
ing but of spontaneous Identification with the spirit Of
dramatic character. Miss LoTing therefore, IS per-
son suited by for the dramatic career Her sue
cess IN the part OF Fleming If not brilliant was
upeouivocaly good Her larger success in the future,
as an actress many and diverse parts, VIII depend on
experience. aud the eradication OF certain painful
mannerisms. At present her acting IS marred by some
foreuness and neglect Of the mechanical part Of the
perfolmauce-he part that is, by which the spectator
is made to feel what is felt by the percrner-and like
wise by strained distortions Of the cOuntenance, and
thin aciduous nt0natiOus of the voice, IN moments OF
incnse excitement At certain times In the endeavOr
To convey sense OF suppressed aud conflicting passion
te voice of the actress becomes almost inaudbe. At
other times her dramatic meanings are Obscured, and
therefore enfecbed by unbridled Tehemence. Iti of
the very greatest importance actors that they should
make their ideals OF palDable facts to others
The spectator ordinarily. nothing but the surface
In aching there must DO such TRANSPORTATION that the
body NAV reveal tht soul Many alented persons have
failed upon the stage, simply froG installing their own
personal consciousness OF great emotions ana mental
states for the visible revelation OF these feelings TO
others VI IS IOring, who certainly seems destined TO
durable success would do wisely 70 consider this
truth and 10 splo with II the remembrance that even
through the pOrtrai.ure of anguish and despair the
sonaity Of womany character should be maintained In
ln,ess1nt and invlrabe i0velness The indications are
that the best OF t ormer will be won IN
atifc comedy aud IN strong characters OF meiodrama
" Aftermath or Won OF last" has been very preily
ct and IL will keep this stage until further notice. The
structure OF its fourth and last act should remark
has been changed 10 the exclusion % me o-dramatc
point and the enhancement OF the fl OF recon-
citation.
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.
Dramatic recitals by Miss Dora French who
will De assisted by Mr. George Yildenhof, Will occur at
CbickerBg Hall tile eVrning
The Midgets will depart from the Masonic