New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-25
TIE DRAMA.
FOOL AND HIS MONEY.

This piece-produced last night at the Park
Theatre. and seen and occasionally laughed
at by small audience-illus rates the
first half Of Its title considerably more
than it does the second. The chief idea-that
of placing a vulgar plebeian in position OF rank
and wealth. and extracting mrth from his clumsy
behavior in these novel and unsuita-
bic circumstances-is "reminiscences OF
Colman's comedy of "The Heir at Law
and this, in the literary execution, has been
braided in with another Renaissance. that
namely of the Yellowpiush Papers of Thack-
cray. Traces were likewise dlscernible in
the text of Mr.. Blacks novel. In silk At
tirep The story is slight the incidents arc
mostly grotesque; the characters are thin tho
humor is greatly strained, and the piece
is as deficient OF rational significance az 10
is of substance and motive. Dramatic in-
tercst cannot be created by the use OF
puppets; and there is not in this play a single
character whom il is possible to regard real, and
with whose joys, sorrows or other experiences the
human heart can for a moment sympathze.
If Mr. Byron has aimed at the bulps-eyc OF
DRAMA he certainly has missed MS marx. Inc III
dicatiOns are that he began with a serious purpose
and that this presently dwindled away, tl
tho composition became nothing more than
q frohc of his wit. and especially, OF hrs
extraordinary skill in comic yerbage Parts OF Ills
dialogue seem. as to form. like extracts
from the French grammar Peryersons OF words, ia
the manner of Dogbeyry and Mrs. MGiapr0p, are
numerous and sometimes are execrabe. Come
reminders however abound the several
colIooues and occasionally the unexpected turns OF
phrase are ludicrous and amusing. The playful
satire on the Welsh language is the best part OF the
text-and this aud the portraiture of " The Bard.'
last night elected the heartiest laughter THAI
rewarded this production. The piece contains
nine persons, all of whom are creatures OF tho
stage - and of nothing else. No one but
an actor could have made such group or
written such piece. The only part that was
thoroughly well played was that of Mr., PeattGRd.
an old lawyer, by W. f. Owen.
The story is that Charles LiqaorpOaad, hunkoH
inherited fortune. Tilted maid-servant, employed
the rghtful heir to the estate as his tootmdn and.
nc a retreat III Wales was pursued by raddied
old fortune hunting father-with nOndcscrps
daughter-from whose clutches he at last escaped.
There is a hint that this fortunate hankey
should be portrayed as being what IL called
sound at tho core" He is TO DO rough.
but he is to turn out diamond at last
Mr. Toole played him, 3D. London. and
succeeded, probably by his immense personal
comicality-through which, at times. there is per
human feeling Mr.. Lewis, who acted
Cbaples on this occasion, has always
a certain way of rafting and chirrnping like
a dry and jolly old grasshopper; and by
reason Of this peculiarity he frequently
makes people laugh. This Is supposed
TO be comic acting. and it answers the purpose. in
default of tho genuine article. The period of real
comic acting the period, that is OF Burton
and Blake and men of that stamps thing OF the
past. Comedians naturally humorous are very rare
mon the stage. IL is not detraction from
Mr. Lewis's proved aud acknowledged talents to
make this suggestion with reference TO bis perform
auce last night.
Mr.. Ferguson caused some laughter; his WORK
will be better when he shall have clearly defined 10
himself his own intention chambermaid pare
was pertly and neatly performed By Miss Ada Gii-
man. CharleSs funeral is probably not far distant.
Various musical improvements have been made
In New-York theatres within the past few months
Mr.. Boucicault has put the band into the
cellar, both IN Booths Theatre and IN
Wallacks Mir. Maokaye. at the Madison
SQUARE, has put it into the attic IL Mr.
Abbey would comfortably establish his band upon
some neighboring roof his audiences might perhaps
retire from the vicinity without broken ear
drums. The strengthened gentlemen from Jeri-