New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-12
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
REMITTANCE OF ALICE HARRISON.

REMITTANCE OF ALICE HARRISON
Ii j. always found that the keenest sensihility TO
the sting of satire in that which is posesscd by the
satirist himself and that the most delightful
flrccur is lac who most acufey feels the sentiment,
emotion, or thought that he turns into riiicue.
The combination Of warm feeling with cold and
differing levity a rare thing IN temperament,
and il il still more seldom that these qualities
found united with the power and the trained skill
for dramatic expression. Miss Alice IIarrson-who
effected her remittance on the NewYork stage last
Monday at the Grand Opera HOUSE, and. after her
long ab-cncc was received with lively interest and
cordial kindness liz an actress who fulhls these
conditions ana who Therefore occupies n high pro-
frssiona rank aud is destined to a permanent and
brilliant distinction. somewhat obvions intention
tobe mischievous. combined with somewha obvious
consciousness Of her own mirth, mike mp the chief
error in her dramatic method Int this results from
exuherance OF fun and not from lack OF perception
If the true principle Of farce actingwhich ia down
right sober and fervid earnestness. Miss Harrison
knows well enough. doubtless that Tlbxrina should
have the sincerity Of Hamlet but it is not always
possible to check the bubhling current Of the ruc
fountain of fun. Mrs. John Wood. we rmemher-
whom Miss Harrison resembles in dimnutive prcttts
ncss brilliant audactv and the mi5nonpe charms Of
had the same propensity II is a good fault, and GER
tainlv preferable to the arid artfciaty which is its
couvcrsc condition. In this instance il is redeemed,
olso bv sparkling qualities Of personality. and by
fine dramatic talents thoroughly aud beautifully
trained Miss Harrison appears IN play called
PHOTOS" and personates q human parody on
the msihctic damsel OF the perod-her mis-
sion being 10 seek the emotional; and, as
her dcmure aspect and sudden deviltry arc
in marked contrast. the effect IL irresisibly comic.
The piece relates to the efforts Of respectable old
man IN take the photographs Of baf-a-dozen rrrsc-
torv individuals who compose his happy family"
and who are more mischIevous and agile than mon
KEYS in the invention and accomplishments pranks.
The scheme il will I've seen. is utterly irrational.
and Of conrse the pcrsons-thus circumstanced. and
thus Capri, iously used food for langhter-are
made unreal by eXaggcratlon 40 that there IL al
the more need of q strictly right method in the H.
lnstratvc netting Miss Harrison and her company
carry the work with eyharating vigor and make il
steadily enjoyable. The actr ~ herself, in won
dcrfnl dress-of tho dado and Japanese teapot
school which is vet delight to the eye, while bit
If delicate satire to the mnd-assnmes the character
If = scriocomic singer and executes several songs
with great purity and brilliancy of voice. and with
copious variety Of u tratve charactcr-assumpton
and telling business that have not been equa'cd
since the most brilliant days Of the opera bonfe.
The incidental limitations of Clara Morris, Aimee,
Catherine Lewis. and Maggie Mitchell "a Fdnchow
are perfcct and while marked by scrnpulous fdel-
ity are as good -natnrcd az they droll. bur
lcsaue delnration Of " O Roman vestal concludes
this EXPLOIT Of merriment-which WA received with
shouts Of laughter and which has quite frightened
the dull close of this overstrained and barren forty
weeks of headache that we call the dramatic sea-
SON If" Photos" az play, had been supplied with
II vein Of human in!crest-which might perhaps have
checked and subordinatea its varisty-show elements
and II Mr. Louis H,rrison. Mr.. r. +. Graham. Mr..
Harry Warren and Mr.. Jay Hunt who are among
the representatives of 1t, would. In the acting,
rerress a tendency to repeat comic effects ana 70
substitute tomfoolery for humor, tho result would
Be better and the success moro substantial.
Az present 1t is frolic; 1t TO
lies on speciality features and were Miss
Alice Harrison absent from 1t the structure would
tumble TO pieces In o night. A raro anmating per-
sonality, of seroc omic kind. and shining accom-
pshments 81 yes temporary vitality The dramatic
plan. though. as made by Mr. Ben Woolf, was In
genious and showed skilled inventive facuity.
There IL REASON IA think that Mr. Woolfs style has
been manipulated with more freedom than tastr,
Incidental features Of the performance q r mOsSs
Fritz by Mr.. r. +. Graham and rough ous cIeI n
trayestie Of the Crummles style M tIagedian done py
Mr. louis Harrison sOmew hat In the manner o. tho
late Mr. IeffinQwell when he came forth a. Romeo
"a - i,nEns Miss Theresa Wood contributes o
graceful dance and Miss Caroline Daniels guitar
solo This entertainment Ia the froshest and moss
Lille Mss Alice Harrison 10 m actress worthy OF
mnch better things. she is In this, doing thoroughly
wen the good work Of contributing TO the amusement
Of the multitude.