, 1881-02-06
The New P!ays-My Geraldine
and The Legion Of
Honor.
The Passion-Play Again-A Plan
for It's Production.
Quixose Talmage-Noyel Scheme for
the Regeneration Of the
Drama.
Future Attractions at the Local The
tres-Current Theatrical
News.

Mr. BARLEY Campbell has had the satisfaction
Of sceing the auditorium of Hooley's Thcntre
well filled at every performance Of his new pay,
any Geraldine" and On the whole tho piece has
nude favorable impression Oh the puotic
heart Our own opinion Of the play we gave TIC
other day. and since then we have seen nothing
to change that opinion. MIR Ca1ppbclis aim IN
writing, Ny Geraldine" was to give lis an Irish
play without the Irish types Of character mace
familiar by RoucicaElt, Edmund FAlconer, anu
the rest OF the Hibernlan dramatists- In DONG
So, while be has scarcely presented truthful
reflex Of Irish manners, customs, aud character
he has furnished HI interesting story ane ne has
worked in few very effective situations. even
If scme OF them ar,s familiar. Tho story Il one
of rather strong ro1lantic interest: and althougn
there can be found throughout the same. 1a1!ts
though not so strongly markcd-whtch inc
critics have found In all his works, except ;" ~
Partner the. public, we dare say, overlook
those technical blemishcs, and only ssEpaifn1ze
with tho sorrows; Of the principal persohages
and find mirth tn its excellent comcds' 1ae
success Of the piecc depends far moro upon tne
strength Of its story and upon several effects IN
situation than upon aus exposition Of character,
and for this reason the author my be counselea
to cut much Of the dialog In the earlier ncts- 1t
IS very pretty in its way. but It impedes tho cur
rent Of the story. The l4st act IS the best
dramatically, in the play, ind If the pre-
ccdiuR acts were as we'll ,ousit MI Campbell
could scarcely hare failed ttS have added con-
stdcrab!y to his reputntioEsw with this his latest
work. Mr.. Campbell has s-7owu in most OF his
plays great fertility Of invennon, and, rcsnem-
De.ing this. we were surprised to ind that ne haa
fer his situation in the third act takea such 4
familiar incident as that Of the Pdlson and BUY
Piptr. when the former takes the latter to the
a1jf md IN
of the other s,tuauons are suggestive of some
thing seen before, but they are we'll used. There
is some noble sentiment in the dlalog. \ relig-
ious vein is also noticeable Some Of the comedy
Is very fine and most Of the characters fire.
quently dip into poetry. The character OF
Gfrolline is very charmlngly drawn: there Is
vigor in that of Phl Carroll. line type OF high
minded manhood, and Mr. GotIhold makes the
figure tower over the rest Of the dramutis per-
Eonse. Terrence CTeJdn is another character tba-
nay be placed among the best OF Can1p5eE's
upon the stage By Mr.. Hooley. The Interior Of
Arden House ia creditable in Its painting and in
Its furnishing. aud the change IN the fourth act
Is made. Messrs. Gotrhold, Meslauus~ and scan
Ian, the former. as Carroll, McManus as
Cregdn. and Scanlan IN comedy role nave
won commendation during tho week: Miss
Louise Muldeuer is not strong enough for the
emotional scenes, but gracefully and char1nin5iy
e:acts the lighter PHASES Of the charncter Nss
manngcs her difficult scene in the second act
where her child is taken from her, but it would
be great relief to the audience if she would
but modify the shriek shc frequently indulQes
In. Mrs. Edwin F. Thorn. caeverly portrays u
peassnt girl, and Mr. Thol ae acts the part Of the
(over. t'My Geraldine" will be repeated every
eyening during the coming week
1.-THE Legion Of Honor" at tho Grand Opera
House was found to be IN effective play, with
plot which in the hands OF u more skiliful
adapter than Dr.. Callahan seems to be would
have made great play: The story hinges upon
the ylndicatiou OF q husbands wrongs after
twenty years. Tie interest is toleruDly we'll
sustained until the final drop OF the curtain.
and that interest could be easily increased BY
judicious rewriting here and there. Some good
acting is seen. Mr.. Sam Piercy for the clean
ness and care of his method IS to be COM
mended. Mr.. Louis Morrison does we'll.
Mr. Forrest Robinson Is promising
actor who will show more art
in bis methods when bo has had more expert
ence. Miss Annie Grahom has been seen In the
exactiug part Of Elise under great disadvantages
during the week. Sickness gnd acting don't go
together. Some of tho other parts were well
played, others were wretchedly enacted. Mr..
Davenport and Miss Sherwood had little idea Of
the spirit Of their characters; Mr. Harry Wood
should expend some OF his loose change upon
pronouuclnF dictionary: and Mr.. Ayline was
very painful picture OF French gentleman.
The lust performance will be given this evening.