New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-08
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
Fresh THE AMERICAN.


Gupter naturally intmates the design of taking
liberal license with his theme. Fresh" Is what
its name implies-and, furthermore. it is wild and
xrhirling farce. Those play-goers who remember
Mr. Walack,s drama of 1.-THE Veteran 0-fOunded
ON one of James Grants novels-are aware of the
kind of fun that is produced by the introduction of
tberreyerent and tacetious Frank" into the sacred
circles of Oriental domestic privacy. That idea-an
incidental part of the structure Of "The Veteran"
though very effectively and sufficiently exhibited
therein-s illustrated most deliberately in Fresh.
the American" Mr.. Raymond. acting Fresh, is tie
intrusive stranger; and be creates connection
very comical to behold in the harem of the Khedive
of Egypt. That is tho drift of the piece and
the bare statement of it amounts to a
description For, indeed, there is nothing
to describe that would bear o formal
statement or justify serious commentary. The
incidents folo<ra sufficiently definite line of story
but they are wildly improbable and OutrageOusy
grotesque, and they are put forward with no other
preence than that of sport. This element they sup
ply in abundance. and herein the piece accomphshes
its object 1t was received last night III the Park
theatre by q crowded assemblage with boisterOus
laughter and with several recalls O. the actors
notably of Mr.. Raymond-andit was undoubtedly
successful.
The regret is natural accordingly, that it shonld
not have been Invested of grave and quite obvious
faults. The author does not seem to have been
quite positive in his design, whether to make the
piece solid drama, or to let it drift into the wan
dering realm Of absolute whimsicality. Two or
three times the situation is allowed to become dis
tnctly meiodramatic. One of the characters is an
avenger. in dead earnest of his broth
er's blood; and of the last he Stays
pf the scene-the murderous object of his
implacable revenge. Theherone-thea abducted wife
of Hroob- oda I'm Rel ohOut her
virtue aud her wrongs Aud the motive of the
action is sordid desire of Opulent matrlmony, on
the part of titled widow, who evnces heartless
depravity and criminal reckessneSs that
nothing less than hateful. Elements of this kind
are surely out of place in frolic. We must not
however fantastic the intention-mix incOngIu
ties without distinct view TO cOngruOus effect
We cannot have Lady Macbeth with dish of
clans, OF Poor Pillicoddy slappng OScaH'e in
the back. There is much slang, likewise. in
the language of the piece; there few lines in it
that have decidedly gamey" flavor; ard its soap
bubble of interest is kept rolling the carpet much
too long. The curtain did not fall last night. until
after IL.
No doubt however. the second performance will
be vastly better than the first There is enough
substance in Fresh to make stand in the popular
favor and Mr. Raymond will secure his victory. He
Is provided in his character, with opportunities
admirably calculated to bring out his
peculiar drolery. The part IS chlv-
alrous, sympathetic, and, at the same
time, breezy and frolicsome The sentiment in it is
kept down with Just restriction. The circumstances
surrounding it call for ncessant vigor of numerous
action and yet allow-Or by the actor made 10 allow
for moments OfquIzzical repose and wooden gravity
The comedian is thus udicrously placed most of the
time, and he can give free rein TO his vast talent
for mystlfcation, his delightful transitions from
demure innocence to broad fun and his dry, musing
tones of playf revere that mask without conceal
ing world of innocent mischief. Ho has many
telling speeches to utter, Also which derive their
force from well-contrved contrasts of the charac
tsrs and from happy eQuivoke. There is scope
in Fresh for Mr.. Raymond's deeper nature-!or the
homely pathos. the tear within the smlle-that he
reveals In Ickab0d Crane; perhaps the new char
acter is @ little monotOnOus: but, as a vehicle of
humor and droll eccentricy, this is the best part
lIr. Raymond has acquired since he captivated the
public as Colonel Sellers; and he make it quite as
popular. He had the earnest cooperation last
night of the somewhat emphatic and exuberaht
Miss Laura Don, who acted the impa Ssioued Erema in
very foreibe manner. Mr. Buckley bore the preca-
riOus part Of the Russian avenger, with marked dis
.cretion,-neither turning it to burlesQue though
the temptation to do must have been great. ror
giving il q morose color against which the author
has not provided. Mr.. Cullington was conspic-
uously successful as typical Hebrew u6urer-a
modern Mosos-and NJ. De We're equally sustained
the useful dignity of Aehmet Pacha, who is capital
foil for the audaci0us American. The piece owed
much of the favor it gained (Which was
not, however unmixed with barsher mat
teri to the efficient manner in which 1t
was acted and the cheerful scenes in which u was
set There was q call for the author at the end of
the third act, where, by a sk'lful and unexpected
surprise a moment of almost painful dramatic in
terest is relieved by delightfully."- comic expelien
Mr. Raymond had an almost aifectiOnate public re-
peptOn and be has effected his remittance here I'M
der conditions of the most pleasing aud favorable
character.
/ The following is the cast:
Far napd Nervy Fresh. John L. RAYMOND
Baron Alexis BoscbOvitch. J. buckley
, AahOmet All. d1oI nolis
Matthias hanassah " ~
AdOlpf. ,Le4l5 hake
porls -; 81 W. q, ArS e