New-York tribune., 1879-06-04
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE HUNCHBACK AT wALLACKs.

inE hONtHDANh Al
The Hunehback" A" is so good play that,
for its sake Il ought always 10 he welcome II not
poetry. it is at least poetical aud. although little
sted in versihcatiou IL IS thoroughly human IN spirit
Besides some Of the traditions of acting are asso
cated with its representation. and thus 1t possesses MS
t0ric as well dramatic and literary Significance All
the queens OF the stageall the beautiful ones at any
rate-snce Fanny Kemhe, have acted Julia and many
aflmous and hOnored name, since Macready's
dav has been coupled with that Of Master Walter The
piece may drab and Quakerish. 10 eyes that
shocked aud spoiled by the more sarish coios
the Characteristic drama OF to-day but none the less
IL is shining example Of the power OF dramatic art TO
extract the force and pathos cut Of simple ings-the
elemental emotions and the common experiences Of hfe
such WORK must always subject its actors TO stern
test. The last requirement Of all Is simplicity
To represent JttTia-fand In JuhT i enshrned
tho soul OF the piece-is to depict tho effect OF love
the character of young girl whose heart ls
rcsh and whose principles and equilibrium have not
been established By experience and nial In the per
foctly adequate representation OF The Huncnback'
benefit is conferred upon society. first by the present
ment OF beautiful and touching spectacle and next by
the suggestion OF salulary moral Certain OF the old-
fashioned valued upon such purposes
are herein denoted. sheridan Knowles was one o.
these; aud as long solid worth is esteemed III
dramat literature bis play of TIE hunohback vii ne
priced ndisputabe merits q this description nine
representation which il received Monday night at Val
acgs Theatre those who love the study Of acting had
reason TO find peculiar pleasure Miss Ada Ga" endisA ap
peared as J9sid actl the part for the hrt Time IN
Amercs. The effort animated by delicious per
sonsl alIaity-.nade OF sweetness of temperament
ntel ectHal fire. and womaniGe cnangciu.ness; and
therefore II took instant effect upon ;he audience. which,
though numcrOus-the night being one Of rain as
wei as heat-was alert with sympathy aud demonsti'-
tive with Kindness Miss c. vendlsH several times
called before the curtain, and was a ali points cheerec
with applause This while pleasant 20 record. should
DO accepted we suppose, less as an approya Ol tIe
perform lnoe than as marx OF personal pleasure. Miss
Civendsh gives charming embodiment, but she treats
Julia prose and not pOetryGcprves her OF the de-
spaiilng Douruuncss. the delium and the tragic ee-
vation winch clearly appertain to the dea-and hei en
is absolutely and entirely in error. The great
scene with CIitJrd, played in a mood OF nervous
excitement raIher than with the agony and
despair "A defeated and terrified love- may present
many fehcues Of treatment-many denoiements OF
what called the natural school, out It shOrn OF all
fascination and deprived OF all magnetism Juiid should
almost break the heart OF every iscncr with that al
mission Of hers which substitutes "ILolary for love
gwen by Miss Cavendsh il passed almost unheeded
woman weli-versed life of the world might play
al love and misery In this manner; not young glr,
noble aud gentle, dominated by first love and goaded
into frenzy by first disappointment In the earlier
scenes OF the piece the acircss,-iboneh here
her force was uperabundant,-smuiatcd rustic
hoYdenlSA touch was aniss, ana the air OF dazcd
and wondering delight had thc sweetest effect tnat
could be imaNUed. Tae comedy biz in the second act
WAS given with all requisite ginger and sparkle. As
sOOn however the mood Of the heroine passed into
t1e gh atjudcs OF grief and the actress seemed
weaken III c0ucsntratou IN passion, in poetry On arr
in "a save her personal attributes Of siugulariiy
and impctuOus caprice The persopati0n, finally, was
for taese reasons, formless and OF an everyday
dlre. Yet, before observed tne effort
was vital with an agreeable individuality,
and therefore 1t wac c0pously praised. MI Gilbert
embodied Master HaAe WITH exactly the right dignity,
and with certain glamour OF romance and spoke the
text vlth variety and eloquent intelligence Mr.
Floyd gave his charming portrayal OF the basAtul AOd
one OF the best known and most admirable
works of art. for rpeness and TASTE, with which
stage grlcrd. Miss BJnificc made brilliant hit
as Helen ana was recalled after the rebuke 20
lodts Mr. T. NJ. Holland restored the old ideal oi
fottrn long absent ard exceedingly wclcome. There
was much and suitable maniacss and genteness Of
sentiment in the performance OF CLIFFORD by Joseph
NheeiOek "The HunchbaCk" viii DC repeated tonight.