New-York tribune., 1881-03-30

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
LESTER WALLACK.

Last night was one of festival at Wallaek's
Theatre as indeed had been expected. Mr. Wal
lack made his reappeaTance there, beginning fare
well engagement and he was greeted and cheered
by numerous and brilliant asSemblage. lie came
forward Prosper COrdmoHt. in "a Scrap of Paper"
in association with Miss Rose Coghan rs Suzanne de
RRse and with the cast of parts that was mace
when this brilliant piece had its former revival
except that now Mr.. Henry Edwards has been snb-
stituted for Mr. Charles Rockwell as the ICY
formidable, poker-backed and dangerous Baron.
The piece was set with the careful taste and
apt sense Of elegance and fine effect which
have 40 often beon shown here, and it was
brilliantly acted happier effect upon audience
is seldom produ ,edbecause it is very seldom that
current of mirth that plays over sense intelligence,
purpose, and dramatic point is let loose from the
stage There were loud recalls, at the end Of each
of the three acis and MIR. Waack and Miss Cogh-
Ian were specially called upon the scene and hon
ored with the plaudts of sincere admiration
To the qualities and merits of A Scrap of Paper"
a sattc lent reference has than once been made
in this lourna Since fret the piece became known
here. years ago, as "Henriette,' 1t has been a
fayorite with persons of the most eXacting
tas,e, and it's resuscitatiOn under this new
NAME and In the better guse Of Dir. Palgrave Simp-
sons teise. compact and sparkling adaptation was
Neicoluel rs II pNDfC Dtutut. AZ Nohih 40 WY
diflicult to ind comedy which better illustrates
the supreme felicity Of the French styie of mind in
making tries serve the artistic purpose Of express
ing representative picture Of life. and IN keeping
ND the machinery Of action, through a constant
yariety of inlersst to n dramatic climax aud a
syupathetic conclusion. There Is not q weak point
i'm the structure, aside from Il certain lack Of
sufficient motive on the part of Louise, for
her terror. 1T was necessary, however.
to soften the aspect Of affairs. 10 the husban DIS
jealousy; and the temperament of the Baron, as eX
pressed with admirable GOODNESS and latent menace
by Mr. Edwards, sulices TO account for all that
occhrs,
This moment. though. is not one for analysis Of
an old play nor for particular comment on the man.
ner of representation. in this revival. Mr. Wallacks
reentrance for his farewell was the event of the
night and Mr. Wallaek wus the central figure Of the
occasion. The house recognized this fact by
ovinr him n special reception, OF more than
usual warmth. Something of that enthusiasm
which our public usually reserves Tor foreign
ers--vho do not half as we'll deserve it
was perceptible in this greeting. and for moment it
seemed as il 4 great actor Of own stage were
really TO receive che tribute of that oxtravagant adj
mration which only the unfamiliar elicits Mr.
NalIack acted with great brilliancy. 1t need not
he said that the part precisely suits him. II is type
of the class of parts in which ne has
no equal on the EDgish-spealSng stage
the character of sparkle and elegance
with lust touch. of sentiment and of good
natured cynicisn. They seem easy to act
but they entirely Justify Garrcks well'known
remark that comedy IS serious business"
and they are profoundly exacting There must be
strong wave beneath the curling crest OF foam so
graceful and so white IL the acting OF such part
ma Prosper CoaramOat every Dtonation OF the voice,
every panse. every semi-tone, every little tang of
hanter or drollery or sarcasm meditative senti-
mpnt il of vital Importance. TO preserve an illusion
ard 10 suggest a background of character is here
.srnreme necessity and the art must be absolutely
concealed. In ali such exigencies of acting Lester
wallaek IA so wonderfully fine and true that, were
he TO come here US a stranger everybody would hail
him as a prodigy 1t is our long familiarity with
his grace and 6ush in this difficult realm of art
thai kes us so calm in the acceptance OF an ex
oeilence that Ia very seldom found any stage, and
that once gone will not IN our time be replaced.
The ease with which Mr.. Wgliack carried through
this character last night the force and vitality and
eornestDess that he threw into into H. and the SYM
metrv with which he flushed and adorned 1t were,
in simple TRUTH beautiful There Is no other word to
do t insieeand II goes Tor little or nothng, IN the
presence Of suoh e1qulslte art that the eomedian,
"a WAYS is the casu with him, stood little IN front
of the character. " th quicker audience-quicker
to see subtle things, and to respond TO then1tnan
defect would not be fostered, perhaps would
n5t be possible; but our actors have
usually had almost to yacoinate their
istenera before making them really responsive. Mr.
Waack acted all the better last night for the extra.
ordinary br.lliancy and emotion vito which Miss
Rose Coghlan presenl ed tho fascinating suzanne.
| Tnis was the ialhlmeut Of perfect ideal OF the
womanhood that has intellectual poise aud force.
without lack OF sweetness and tascnatloni ana iie
/ narsonalily was a charm that no one could help
| feeLne. with admiration and delight. Mr.: Gilbert
| and Miss GermOn repeated their capital hits IN
aoaln seen, with interest. as ARatOlo He steadily
crows IN the faculty of making his dramatic picture
| distinct Miss Emma Lorraine acted IN sprigntly
nsat and well-repressed style. az the coQuettisf
| PagNne, The revival is undoubtedly one OF tht
| bright successes OF the season.
CASTLES In SPAIN.
spectacle. with tins title. Is to be proouoeu II
| -. %. Nil,lo,a VI,eafra on the 9th al