New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-08
THE ORA M.
AMERICANS ARROAn


good intention in work of art should ALWAYS
mitigate severity of Judgment the part Of its cen
sor. good intention inadequately fulfilled IL the
sum and substance of MIR Edgar Fawcett's new play
of 8 Americans Abroad which was produced last
Wednesday at Days Theatre The work is COM
prsed in four acts. and it introduces about forty
persons. The scene begins in New-Yor6 and pro-
ceeds and ends in France. The story re-
lates certain adventures imputed to an Amer
lean family, when temporarily residing be-
yond the sea. Drolery of effect is sought
by contrasting eccentric Americans with equally
eccentric Frenchmen. The story is so thin and
feeble. though, that ii takes hold upon sympathy
or interest and the persons being gross cancatures
entirely unreprescntative OF anything but the
yagarcs of an authors fancy and mostly offensive
in their attributes inspire regard. Il should not
be necessary 10 intimate to writer as talented and
well informed as Mr. Edgar Fawcett that in
comedy the characters ought TO be true types of
social classes and not the accidental excrescences
of society that the story should be one of serious
import, involving actual experiences and emotions;
tina the Incidents should be rational and possible;
and that the picture OF manners, though OF course
1t may be dehcatcly exag -erated, should be just.
and at the same time enteri aiming Mr.. Fawcett
however, does not actually call his piece
comedy; and, IN fact it is nothing more than
somewhat elaborate farce built on a
hackneycd subject, and written in weak
style. The first OF its four acts, taken alone with
few slight changes, would make, of itself roaring
farce, the TOPIC, at this point being proposed
elopement frustrated by a formidable mother
This scene is undeniably amusing. Bat when
the sentimental interest in transferred to the
more definite and exalted arena of fashionable life
abroad, and when noble French family comes
wooing the daughter of blatant vulgar and lrri-
tating vendor of American stove-polIsh the stu-
atoms become foolish and the incidents preposter-
ous.
II is almost incredible that sane writer should
profer as rational aud representative incidents
the spectacle of French gentleman cooking up
forgery, In association with rascally pedler OF
backing. or the silly impGssibilty of an American
merchant trotting up and down at the opera and
pnning his business posters to the coa-tails of am
bassadors, in the corridors of the Paris Opera
House. Such things could not occur in any
part of the civilized world, and, in fact do
not occur anywhere outside of the expert
mental dramas of writers who have not vet
learned the at OF dramatic writing. If"Americans
Abroad" be viewed farce. it has some merits
although these are slender, and not especially fresh
If It be viewed comedy, it is pretentious folly
The authors design, willing TO believe, was
merely frivoous-to raise a laugh and make
merry hour With the help of MIR. Days excellent
company, and with the accessories of fine scenery
and furniture, this design has been to some extent
tulilled The spectator sees-amid much hustle
and through n cloud of small talk-a voung lady
parted from her lover, in act first; betrothed 70
French Count, in act second delivered very clum-
silly. from the tolls of this fortune-hunting arsto
crat in act third: and reunited TO her lover in act
fourth. Along this thread of narrative are scat
tered numerous farcical incidents. some of which
have slight flavor of wholesome satire. But it is
evident that neither the story that he had to tell
nor the persons about whom he had to tell
1t, ever appealed to the authors mind as
real and vital. The work has blood in it, no hui
man nature, nothing more real than FAINT odor of
bcrgamot or patchouly.
1t is the part of wisdom in these matters TO mako
play either one thing or another and not to mas
querade. In tins case the actors required TO
present, as human beings, having brain heart and
character, number of individuals who are either
farce persons or positive nonentities. The conse-
quence is vast expenditure of talent and endeavor
without meaning or result. Mrs. Gilbert's perform
ance, for nstance-which is excellent-presents n
character such would not make the
error on which the piece turns nor he
converted from her error by the experience that
ensues The actress cannot obliterate herself and
fade into the washed-out simpleton of O e-hunt
ing mamma, thai Mr.. Fawcett has prescribed Mr.
Lewis, too involuntarily strives TO make something
like man out Of the egregious, conceted igl ora
mus and jackass who vends the stove-polish. In
fact, throughout the cast, there is constantly re-
curing suggestion of fine talent and Jealous earnest
ness striving to dignity trivialties and make
sense plausible. MIR. Digby Bell presents droll
lrishman; Miss Marie Williams-aIready little
treasure in this theatre-assumes the pert house.
maid, and with degree of snap and
demure mischief that almost creates semblance of
Mary Cannon Mr. Lemoyne gives the bearing of
an old noble of the Faubourg ST. German to the