Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-10-15
THE DRAMA.

fSuftl0y ClmpOeIlB Galley SiaSc' At the
Opera House.
The critics have said that Mr.. Bartlcy
Campbelrs play Of 90 The Galley Slave " is
lacking in the element of probability SO es-
sential to successful dramatic compO-
sitiOn. 1t is more than likely
that rigid analytic scrutiny into
the series Of incidents that make
up this production of the authors pro-
litic pen would discover great many de
fective links in the chain he has wrought
but for all that. the piece is endowed with
the merit Of early engaging the
interest of the average spectator, and SO
absorbing it that he hasn't the inclination
to look too closely at the mechanical con-
structiOn nor to observe where the bounds
of probability are Oversteppcd. At all
events the gOodly audience gathered in
the opera house last evening did not mani
fest any such disposition, judging from the
palpable favor with which the play was re-
ceived and the unstinted applause be.
slowed upon the thrilling periods i'll which
actual incongruity would have been dis
covered by the keen vision of your
wide-awake, sharp "expcrt.' The
theme of ''The Galley Slave is Of a man
who prefers ignOminiOus punishment and
disgrace in his innocence rather than by
his exculpatiOn bring the suspicion Of dis
honor upon q pure woman. Whilst not at
all original with Mr.. Campbell, it is deity,
treated and wrought out by that popu-
lar playwright, who with rare per-
ceptiOn of the peculiar weakness Of his audi
ence has made his leading characters
Americans, but placed them in foreign
atmosphere, surrounded by which purp le
haze they seem to take on new forms of
indetinable beauty and attractivencss.
Florence, Rome and Paris constitute the
centres, of action, and the spectacle Of the
utter self abnegation of lover and hero i'll
his calm and stern determination to face all
the horrors OF Toulon before one sylla-
bic shall escape his lips which may create
esclandre upon the name he wOrships, is u
scene grand and heroic in itself, and is ren-
dered more intensely fascinating in view
of the fact that the punishment lie invites
the chain and oar of the Salieys-is far
more romantic than the very matter-of-
fact cell of an American Jail. Mr.. Camp
bell has utilized this characteristic of an
American audience to very good efftct.
The piece was well presented. Miss Gus
sic De Forrest, in the role of Ctcely Blaine,
an American heiress and a sad sufferer
through case of mistaken identity,
gave an admirable portrayal of
passion and pain; Signora Ma
jeroni is an actress ofIeal power and well
adapted for the role she SO successfully
Francesca B,ubdnt. the
wronged and deserted wife and mother;
and Miss Nellie Barbour, = local favorite,
charmed her audience by her apt i'm
personation of the loving. whole-sOuled
American girl, whose rosy checks, bright
eyes and pretty features, were uncommon
ly effective, and her acting was never un-
natural. Miss Clara StOneall was quito
in her role of Hrs. Phebe Gay.
Of the men, Mr.. Frank Evans made p good
hero and is clever actor Messrs. Thomas
Fl. Burns and Junius 3. Booth supplied
plenty of merry humor that served to light
Up the edges of the pathos with which the
piece is largely imbued, and Mr.. Sullivan
performed his rather ungraciOus role of
he heavy villain in a pains-taking and !
manner. The remainder of
he cast were satisfactory in their respect
We parts, the costumes of the ladies' were |
rich and tasteful, and the
cenery and mounting commercially CT
ective. All in all the performance amply |
Justified Manager Mishler's liberal prom
ses.