New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-17
MIJSIC AND THE DRAMA.
DANIEL ROCHAT.

. rrorous and brilliant audience was in the
Union SQUARE Theatre, last night. and 1t saw re-
markable play The character of Daniel Rochat"
"a intellectual and its interest is of very serious
kind In most pieces. which become popular the
attraction consists in the sentiment: IN this one u
resides in the idea We have heard that Daniel
Rocbat was failure in Paris, and to us, accord
ingly its positive, ghtterDg merit and its power OF
conquest as revealed in the performance last night,
were surprise. The love story IN the
play is simple and. apublic accustomed to highly
peppered analyses Of social crime and the exhibition
of pMksons sporting around "a volcano OF desIuc-
tlon il might well seem vapid The existence Oh
religions scruples, as motive oil dramatic ac'io"'
also might TO such public appear Trivial N"' 81
here The question of religion Is, Tor Amerl-
can audiences, woven INTO ihe souu-
mental relation of the characters win eA-
cellent skill and with very pracucai
significance. The plot OF Daniel hochat mas
already been set before the readers Of this journal
Tn the presentment of it last night,-although the
first and second acts were rather thin and cold, and
though through them the action moved Ian
cuIdly-the situation in act third, wherein the
heroine rcpudlates her civil marriage IN conformity
with her religious principle, made 1t VITAL MODERN
strictly of to-day and essentially something to be
seen and considered by all thinking persons
To this situation Miss Jewett did not bring the
requisite strength but Mr.. ThOrnc-though once
he let loose that tgerish manner which is the de-
pravIty of his style-carried himself through 1t
with noble dignity and splendid force.
The eccentric comedy element was supplied by
Mr. J. H. Stoddart, who gave performance very
remarkable for that perfect Identification with the
interior nature and that spontaneous expression of
natural charac terislcs which 90 the building mp
OF truly artistic work. In later scenes the piece
begins TO take the old familiar hue of the con-
Ventional love drama; there are sundered hearts,
and there Is the usual sombre atmosphere of an aD
parently hopeless estrangement his element IS
doubtless tue more pleasing 10 the average audl-
ence, but II is less intellectual than tne otheI;
The sDecracle OF man OF nina, prlnciptc anu
strong character torn between love and thc prlde
Of intellect is something that It required brains 70
conceive ana that requires brains 10 undeIstanu II
"DanIe Rochat" proves a popular success mere
will br room for agreeable disappointment. IL -
strong play, managed with dramatic purpose
and power. ana written ia compact style, ana IL
handles ITS twenty persons wlth graceful preseTNa-
ton OF the veTislmlliude Of lie ana o. he syhihe
try of work oil art. IL set IA excellent scenes.
and il was ac.ed we'll: and there was great pause
for II, 1t several points. The cast IS as follows;
Daniel Eocat statesman and philosopher Chas RrboneJr
Dr. Biuacheam aiOpath ana a NO4taIean J IL Sto0'aft
casiHIr fsis rs, a susceptible young gentleman
Charles Henderson Powers nephew Whiting
Laurent. aged servant j. = M'Itis
81 Tnrier CAV Young MAGISTRATE .Owea tawcctt
NJ Clavaron secretary o Bidache ...-...... u = paw
I1erson rep. rter ----.. Andre~ JaHuts
Kelly, reporter M, mug
Nerley clerk 70 Iurler aHes y hoIpe
s. DUBOIS
Nj 5 Lea il anderson. young American he,rcss, -.
Miss Esrher henaerson sister to rison
Miss AgSbeiia BoonGeid Leas Shty Miss Florence
Miss Ellen Bioomneldf cousins (-1ilas Ne'u' G"Ioh