New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-21
s-
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

| FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE-SELF CONQUEST,
| A new piece entitled Self Conquest was
brought out at the Fifth Avenue Theatre Tuesday
night may there TIL tho end OF the weeK
1t much play IL IL theatrical synopsis of
novel; but 1t Ia interesting by Of its subject
and its associations Out Of the tale OF The Frozen
Deep" by wilkio Collins q few situations have been
extracted and converted into stage pictures.
There IL liberal infusion OF Dialogue. OF It an
prOpriate, all Of 10 mOnotOnous and almost all Of Il
literally Transcribed from Coins's text. 10 IL tho
popularity OF the novels OF Wlkie Collins that their
characters while distinctly Disseminated a. to at
tributes are entirely uniform az TO expression. They
all talk In the and the same STYLE and that ia tho
STYLE their author In the Of" Self Conquest
effort has been made 10 Diversity the language. aud
this the piece Is deficient m dramatic
quality. Another reason that II lacks movement
The four acts are little than 40 many tabeaus.
The first DISCLOSED lady who Il afflicted with
the faculty OF what called in the Highlands OF Scot
land Second Sight "a faculty iney described aud
exenplihed IN scoips romantic Legend Of MoatrOse"
II also presents favored and discarded sultor. the
latter OF whom in the most bloody minded manner.
threatens kill the former 80 soon as he can dis
cover him. The second act presents these Two
suitors somewhere i'm the neighDorhood Of tho
North Pole, where the ferocious victim Of
disappointed love first asccrtains The identity
OF his rival. There is much whstling OF wind and
throw ug Of Dice and these two individuals then set
among the icebergs In the third act the heroine has
a spasm aud behods her lover PROSTATE a cake Of
ice at the mercy his enemy. In the fourth act the
principal characters assembled the coast OF New
foundand IN hsherman's hut. where presently the
roveng fI lover produces his rgal-both in highly
emacatcd condition. having been lost and given up for
dead--and signifies that he has conquered himself for
given his unlucky fare. and Is not only resigned but
happy Ia lis resignation Ee then expires The
siren 9Th Of Mr. Colins's welremcmbered story resides
in his vivid descriptions. In the wicTd bloodcurdns
atmosphere which he coDtrves TO throw around inc
exercise of the gift Of Second Sight and In the deft
touches with which he paints the passionate iud NOR
Did put ultimately emo cd character OF Riehord Var
der Mr. Collins himself made play on this subject.
and Charles Dickens and other distinguished men acted
IN H. hui IL has not yed-and SELF Conquest" quite
unlikely to enjoy greater degree OF rmanence The
idea Of self sacrifice" whichit suggsts undoubtedly
noble touching but the piece thin, quiet dark and
sprirles moreover, incidents seem grossly I'M
probable. The production or this WORK has given
opportunity for powerful acting by Mr. Joseph Vice.
lock. who personates Richard Warder. This per
forlnance IN the two three moments
that tue part allows the actor. is remarkable Tor In
feeling great tenderness OF heart ana hue con-
i,tenrv of execution whei the level mood o. sui
len misery or vehement ou bursts OF frantic dCr-
um comic character IN no way connected with tue
piece is presented IN mildly aughdOe manner oy Af'
Cah. Thc heroine Is undertaken by Miss Slrd Al
mayne. 4 good actress might make something or ihe
scene II proved quire too much Tor ne
who roancd wildly about the stage with aimlcss nn-
grace M and feeble articulation, and f AZ
iast most awkwirdy. 10 the floor. Al the distressing
climax 81 the play, moreover, tne "O.neh .nu
VuDd expression OF bs young lady ara much 10 c-tuy
the insion 81 the scene sueh PERFORMANCES are qse
unworthy Of pubic occnrehcestI n,ote 50 u P"niy
discissIon. Next Monday uigDt Mr. Maurice GrlI wiz
begin his promised pantonine season al Tue fiftn
Avenue Theatre. prOduc Dg with Maint anu BdftuOi0
new 4 entitled " Dame Ifot.'