The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
wALLACK's THEATRE-"EsTELLE; or FALSE
AND TRUE"


Only partial success attended the production OF
the above named play at walacks Theatre last
evening. Notwithstanding the inclemency OF the
weather the audience was large. fashionable ard
critical, and from eight O'Clock until midnight the
majority of those who present evidently
enjoyed the sparkling humor and telling points
with which the drama abounds but the play
itself lacked compactness and strength. 1t was
superby mounted and the respective scenes.
especially the drawing room and garden
of Mr.. Chantrey's residence at Rome
by Mr.. j. Johnson the ruins of the Iette Sale tby
Mr.. J. Clarc) and the apartment Of Mr.. Chantrey
overlooking the illuminated city of Rome were
not only in consonance with the excellent
taste always displayed by Mr.. Walask but they
were received with long and well merited applause.
Mr. Clare called to the front TO acknowledge the
compliment bestowed on his really beautiful work.
"Estelie" is the production of Mr. Albert Lancas-
ter. well known New York journalist. and IL par
TALLY founded Victor Chanibuliezs novel Of
samuel Brohl l. Co." Ths scene is laid in Rome.
Italy. at the present time. and the principal
two-namely. the Princess Koronof. an eccentric
Russian lady. and the Count Ivan Petrovsky.
Pole. The Americans include Mr.. p. Chan.
Mrs. Montgomery Montmorency Blair her ono
armed husband. who. although veteran OF the late
war; is for a time very much sub1uRGted "worser
half" Arthur Morton, Estelle's cousin and lover.
and Mr.. hardwood Beech "a gentleman with
a2 a !" the
small talk Of the day and to the showing
up of the weak points Of his enemies.
The motif of the drama consists in the fascination
exercised over Estelle by Petrovsky. who Is q nero
adventurer. under an assumed NAME seeking her
hand in marriage. For along time she Is dazzled by
the love that has been aroused in her nature. and
spurns the nobler affection OF her cousin. Through
the agency Of Mr.. hardwood Buck. however. who at
the beginning Of the play threatens to become
sjet the true nature of the titled lover IS
discovered The eccentric Russian Princess is
ter of the Pole by means Of a bracelet
which he has presented to Eselle as an old family
relic It appears. however that # Is bracelet that
Stephen Bartroi. the real name of the Polish adj
venturer as an impulsive recognition OF some
what he appears the stage-a gentlen anly scoun-
drel. Arthur Morton denounces him and demands
Snrs q his sS% ava ssrs
upon tears up the thousands Of francs
he has received as a. consideration. and
without having returned the fire Of his adver-
sary. These two scenes are probably among
Frederick Robinson. although not having strong
part. exhibited his fine training as an actor.
Estelle. believing her cousin to have been
he reappears on the scene; the love she has
secretly cherished for him returns and
The oCmeay elements were
to the hands Of Miss Efae Germon. who
was warmly welcomed IN the character
Of Mrs. Blxir. twentieth century woman.
Mr.. Harry Beckett and Mr.. Z. M. Holland, The act
ing of the latter specially noteworthy for its
excellence. We have said that "Estele'' was only
partial success. But this does not mean that the
play did not give satisfaction in q more
than moderate degree Its chief defect is an un-
ness of situation. The former. however. is re-
plete with bright sayings that do great credit
to the aesthetic tastes of the author. who. at the
close OF the performance called before the
curtain and bowed his acknowledgements. A
vigorous use Of the pruning knife will
remove most Of the salient faults and add
to the strength of the piece. It may
then have prosperous run. It is to be regretted
that so much good work Mr.. Lancaster
has done should not receive Q substantial
recognition from the public. Before clos
ing this necessarily hasty notice 1t should DO
said that the excellent acting Of Miss Rose Wood
deserves favorable comment. TO the crispness Of
her style due the relief into which the bright
points of the author were brought.
The Estelle Of Miss Ada Dyas was thoroughly in
keeping with tho we'll known reputation Of this
adm irah .actreaa.