New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-22
THE DRA M.
DIR FIRST FAMILIES.

The regular season was opened mt DAYS Theltre.
lastnght when 30 crowded house. was presented for
th, hr- tine a farce IN three acts, written BIZ Mr.
Edgar Fawcett and entitled Orr First Families
1t was received with an emotion which seemed that
of extacy-and there can be no question that this
publIc is one that likes to laugh The piece is a
bagatelle, rather formlcss and certainly llmsy
most of its dramatic expedents are ancientone OF
them dating back to Jim Crow Rlce's Mummy and
the Live Indian of John Owens-and It's dialogue is
almost invariably trivial Yet several of its Incl
dents are comical its upholstery and millinery are
bright. its spirit is genial whether in satire or
frolc and its more or less apt caricatures OF not
quite impossible social types are depicted by clever
actors. The general effect was that Of festiyity.
The theatre resounded with laughter, and there
was repeated and genuine applause. The farce,
accordingly, may be recorded popular hit.
The dramatic element In its performance was
chiefly supplied by Miss Laura Joyce, who surprised
her more thoughtful auditors by an exhibition of
movers such as in genuine comedy. would BE- re-
markable. and which, in this medley of nonsense,
had the effect OF positive brilIiancy. rich
gleefu,ness and ripe spirit OF innocent mis-
chief were the distinguishing qualities Of the
personaton, and in one scene, when affect
ing to be deaf and dumb, and exchanging
written remarks with sudden and playfuy bam-
and suppressed delight in her mischief with
glttering skill aud delightful air of truth. Mr..
Drew '-owlse acted surprisingly well in this
the prettest in the piece. despite the antiquity Of
the scheme. The fine cOntraltO voice of Miss Joyce
was also heard with great satisfaction, In a
new song, of a tender and taking kind, by Mr. Mol
lenhauer. Mr.. James Lewis and Mrs. Gilbert
the former in cracking farce part, and the latter
i'm bit of real character (made by hersefl-
evoked abundant laughter. Aside from Miss
joyce however, there Is nothing very substantially
dramatic in the stage illustration of this new work
work which will take its place with pieces OF the
calibre of Wedding Bells and Champagne and
OYSTERS" without, however. evincing the strictly
dramatic faculty of either.
new drop curtain. showing floral design pref
,ily embroidered in silk with the old motto " Pal
man qur merlut ferat," was displayed on this
slon and an address in verse, happily conceived
and vigorously written, was spoken by Miss Fanny
Morant. whose careful eocution gave it the best
effect. The address is appended:
sALUTArORY ADDRESS.
Bv Edgar Faicestt
I seem TO rcad in countless curious eyes
How iraught is my appearance with surprise.
la wondering phtase fancy notes the sound
or many IA whispered comment circling round.
Runs the swIit murmur VIII precede the playi
In wonder scroll what dismal omen dawns
Armed with her manuscripts, austere. alone.
sac comes 10 rack our patience I'll we groan
And IKE some fossil from the dust OF time,
Drag that grim bore, the prologue done IN rhyme"
Not 81. good friends in kindler mood plead
Toe gende privnege OF YOU IRA slens heed.
Yet T. my 4 u modern mode dehes,
AID odious Oe tue iault To proioguize,
Recall now fashion. with caprlcious phase,
Brings back to-iay the styles OF other days;
How dainty bOnl-. hlgh-he'ied. with pert rosette,
Suggest tue old balls where dame and courier met;
How gathered paniers WI bright sKirts below,
X store the fading men cries 81 Wat eau;
How big-9lumed mats brOadbrmned ana Sideways
Wake vanished dreams Of huntsmen, hawk and horn;
How quaint pOke-0Onnets, bound Ger rosy ears,
Ape tue prm damseis Of colonial years.
Or hOweIy silks qnd high coitures express,
VeToailes' wHitc galleries tnron,ing with noblesse
Then show toward me, IN element grac,, pray,
An 90 Ial toierauce for this ancient lay,
Whose uOwc'cr the iugu ~" b. dcsp Sed
G,oat Shakespeare loved and are Ben J'ns1n priced
In strains II ONllcr inp ri would seek
o. tlemes inferior modest To- speak,
Ell what new means, II blessed or fate,
oar zcnou, theatre wou d y rpeiuatc
Tue gcupu come whose propitous glow
L altered lIs favored walls O1e year ago.
From IL nencciorth, iueyerrrt lhou-h It be.
sIg.t pttonase awaits mene;
I. snJui tlc goddess knock 80 on sta e-dOOr
Her mcn must lie less doicu than loic
H.r classic pcpum must o. made anew,
Aud suruI-Ged with nippant II .uucr OF two;
Her TX mus. Oe fan, o., tcUcryet
Hcr bow OF poison b. ntgteit'.
Aud la ", Snpu she COM, our iiasc muse,
Her bu kIus must bo rea Pdrsi.n shoes;
For, & u,n 10 tell, oar arr HlOUr would please
By mirtaiul methods, uor d,plr; from hcsc:
W. bid fucwcn 10 melodruna's wi'cs.
Inr VILLAIN = uccp Ia uu'- ana ar smiles;
oar prop .rurs htnctiUi IA VIII not produce
one siaWu, rTF-Iraik 30 long U~t brol mo-, use;
And lIrtnrItuurr Nc silently would attest,
Ih, member of our lrOupe WrO even rst
small .rd % lr. " H.. " AllG-.laN remark
Hist f.. d a.. ub -" win dem dark
= ail raut-s iil Ga ke sop--slrill dare
Nour oh. iulrdi" OIL WRETCH have ye now :"
such mtiu irV sudI r.crNc. WIlt ''r lis grade.
Disiuisa prompt. VT. srdrh unpaid
lgnorIng IA, anchub > turgd rag
4, Cets rs- fuu We draICat uur stage.
IA. ougn every ut,,rancc, tiou.L We speak sing
.ca lie, IO- of ad can db suaI Iiu4.
Inc -rIs,- goat lover, a. a. ed, snail 30
Through many an cpi-udr Ol IoVlHl Woe.
iir mlulrh aud &C.,. cd by foes mac crowd his path
And hide M lDsrts from h rINl's wrath.
Inc blu.tyilhg parent, IN tKposVc pee.
snail his cane above tie tN couucttei
on 200. We pr, ulsO plenty, 100 vet more,
Aud ini~Jii ectcd letter. bt "a. score;
LlOpemeuls, uu.tl tI uisrs bInhus,ddcs
Beside "A ,ACrous waiting maids.