New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-20
THE LONDON STAGE.

SEASON AT THE GAIETY-MLLR. SARAH BERN
HARDT ASD TIE PALAIs ROYAL COMPANY.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONDON. Nav 8.-Madame MOdjeska made her first
appearance before an English audience at the Court
Theatre on Saturday afternoon. Her American
reputation had preceded her, aud there was much
curiosity to see the Polish actress in public. She
had been heard in private at some well-knoWn
houses, but no private reading can give any suti-
cicnt measure of power the stage. There was
very brilliant house, including the Prince and
Princess of Wales and the chief of those ornaments
Of society on whom has been bestowed the I'M
graceful name of professional beautes-Dlrs
Langtry, Lady Lonsdae and Others-reln-
forced by the best elements of frst-night
asscmblages. The result so far as one may Judge
by accounts from those present and by the newspa-
per reports, triumph for Madame MOdIeska'
The newspapers abound in compliments. JudclouSly
blended with crticsms the compliments being al
together to the address of Madame MOdJeska and the
criticisms mostly directed against tho very bad YER
sion of the Dame aux Cam6as which goes by the
name of "IIeartsease" and the very insufficient
support given her. friend tells me that the audi
encc at certain points to height of enthusiasm
not often seen in an English theatre. They even
rose TO their feet. cheering and otherwise applaud
ing. The Prince of Wales sgnalized his appreciation
by sending to Madame MOdjeska, at the end OF the
third act n bouquet of camelia apOnicas OF eXtraor-
binary size and beauty. dare say tho lady values
quito as much this royal tribute the testimony
borne to her power by the excited sensbities OF
the general audience. One lady tells me that she
cried throughout nearly the whole performance. L
know of two accomplished actresses. whose long ex-
pericnce of the stage might be supposed to have
hardened their hearts against artificial distreSses
who not only cried, but sobbed uncOntrOlably.
| III.
as sta-keepors declared at the end OF the first week
that they had never yet been able to see out the
whole play.
With all this Madame Modjeska has not
drawn" The Court Theatre, though of high re-
pute, Is out of the way, and Londoncrs have not
yet learned to go to the play in the afternoon.
Social engagements, long suspended by political
excitement, arc unusually humorous and pressing.
Other rcasons-the extreme badness of the play
| among tlcm-might be given, but need not be
dwclt upon. Mldame Modjeska has done enough
to insure attention and applause soon as arrange
| ments can be made for her appearance in better
niece. and in tho evening 1t is not possible that
she should be the sensation of London for a single
afternoon. London is not swift to relinquish
fresh excitement but the temptation must come
in form consistent with its habits. believe that
no long time will clapsc before Madame Modjeska
| will be seen at a good theatre at the usual hour.
At Mrs. Batcmau's theatre, the New Sadlers
| Wells an American play, "lhe Dantcs," with Amer
| loan actors, Mr.. and Mrs Mckee Rankin and
largo company OF associates, has lately been pro-
| duced with much Gucccss. The piece. We are told
has been played throughout the United States with
| applause judge that the applause was bestowed
rather on the actors than the piece, which, albeit
| commended by the name OF Mr.. Joaquin Miller Is
one of the least meritorous of modern melodramas
1 lie .,Nto
voluc at all Such interest as it has for an English
audience is due wholly to the representation Of
scenes and types of Amercan or rather Californian
! life. 1t is not n play. 1t is series OF
! tablcaus The tahleaus are so novel, the
! tvpcs of character have such piquant
flavor that on the first night crowded house hailed
them with delight; overlooking the manifest short
comiugs of the play, and the lack Of continuous in
tcIcst in the story. Mr.. Rankin carried OIL the
Lonors of the evening. His physca! endowmcnts,
ms big frame his cOpnus beard his sOnOrons voice,
hi, yigor his sincerity, his perfect identlfi-
cation with tho manly character he had
to dcpict delighted the house aud covered up what
| over differences there may have been on the art
side in his conception and execution of Sandy Mrs.
Rankin was liked for her graceful pathos, but be-
fore midnight came it was thought there was r'iio
too much pathos, and n want of light and shade.
The rest of the imported company had their share
oC orprccintion. A Sadlcrs Wells audience takes n
real ulca,nre in the realism Of this performance in
tho ron oh scenes of miners life, in the hard drink
ING and hard swearing and the occasional exhibition
of wild type OF justice which did not seem less just
hccause boistorous. Altogether the first night was
q marked success. and hear that the theatre has
SINCE been well filled. Sadlcrs Wells is long way
from the social centres Of London, but has con-
| stituency of its own. Mrs Bateman Is 80 kindly
| and honorably remembered for her long connection
| With fine Lycoum that many old friends made tue
Journey to Clcrkcnwe to assure her OF their sypa-
v and good will in her continued efforts TO create
n good theatre i'll this distant region. Mr.. aud Mrs.
Thomas Hughes, Mrs.(irovillc Sir Baldwin Leighton,
Mr. Frank Hill, DR.. Max schlcsingen. Mr. Plgott.
the censor of plays and many Of the leading dra-
| matte critics were among the audience.
| The Gllety Theatre is rapidly earning right to
the titlo of international. MIR. HOlllngshead, It's
very euterprising manager, no more looks to ms
c,nrs mud actresses for certificate of birth than
for a certificate of marriage. lie is free from all
nrriud,ces insular or other. What he requires of
those to whom he opens his stage door 10 that they
should please the public. IIo has more than once
publicly avOwod this his principle of
action. If tho public wants burlesque, it
gels burlesquc. When it demands revivals of old
! comedies the old comedies appear on the play bill,
| Tragedy would have an equally hearty welcome
from Mr Hollngshcad if he thought it likely to get
one from his patrons. In the same split he announc
es another French season. and tho French is to
he followed by an American season. As at present
arranged the first representative of the American
| drama will be Mr.. Raymond. He is to be followed
Lv tho Florcnccs. There Is posSibility-a bare
noss,bility-that tho FlOrences may DO succeeded
bv MIR. Edwin Booth Some time ago report was
cnrrent in London that Mr.. Booth had been in
uogotiotion with Mr.. Hongshead. There was no
foundation for that report aud the only foundation
for my present suggestion is tho fact that Dir.
IIollinVshead has expressed Il willingness to give
nm his house to Mr. Booth, should circumstances
hermit. and should the latter wish to play there.
| II ,nnr he snil that the GaietY is prominently q