National Republican., 1882-12-14
DRAMA AND MUSIC.

FoRD's-"TH THE LADY OF LYONS"
Considering what the play is, and where its
greatest interest centers, Miss Mather makes as
much of her part in "The Lady of Lyons"
as even the most enthusiastic and partial of
her friends might wish. If any question is
to be raised in the premises, it must lie as to
the Judgment which admits TO the repertory
of an actress who has her way to make, of
play which centers rather in its hero than its
heroine. Claude DIellnotte Is one of the most
singular creatures that ever any dramatist
fathered. A per-sentimentalist, curiously
contradictory in his qualities hyper-poetical
and morally tied across itself SO badly that
it will endure no test of right and wrong, the
action of the play, and the use to which the
author has put il in illustration of his theorem,
cndow 1t with romantic power before which
nice considerations give way, and the arrange
ment of the play is such that until the last
act it is Claude and not Pauline who carries
all the honors and wins most Of the ap-
plause. Moreover, the whole affair is laid
in that dangerous strain of poesy, which may
be sublime or may be ridiculous according to
the delicacy or lack of delicacy with which it
is treated by the actors Few dramas are so
often subject to risk at the hands of the actors.
A mischance, misstep, an awkwardness, any
oddity of appearance or manner in almost any
of its scenes will convert seriousness to
laughter or evoke "titters" instead Of tears.
therefore the actress who essays Paulineputs
her mettle to a very sharp trial and those
who completely succeed in the part are by the
fact of such success demonstrated to be capa-
BILE of things so much better that it is mar
vel they play it all.
This is the case with Miss Mather, who takes
the character and so presents it as to win adj
miration at every point in its development
II., Da,. .l,,I. NuI
ance, and remarkable for the new lights in
which she presents certain phases of it.
Her playing in the second act is par
ticularly noticeable for nicely, and
for an interested attention to the lines and
action of the other characters. This is indeed
the best of her work, though it goes for less
with an audience than do the more demonstra-
tive scenes that follow. 1t is especially graft
flying to find an artist who is sufficiently an
artist to listen well. Miss Mather is such an
one. Whether or not she herself is speaking
or is the center of scene, her face and move
ments express what they would were the scene
real.
Her most effective touches appear in the
fourth act; and perhaps the truest of them is
the passage with Beauseant, which she works
to climax in the declaration of sanctuary
under a husbands roof. The spirit which per-
vades her later scenes in this act and the
finish of the act itself-one of the most turbu-
lent episodes of all drama-are unwonted and
well deserving of the applause they got.
Mr.. Salvini finds in Claude material suited
to his liking, if the vigor and freedom of his
acting may be taken as evidence to that effect
There have been many actors more elegant in
this part, but few have entered more fully
into the romance of it, and none have ever
lent it any more of youthful fire and dash.
The support was not to be greatly praised.
The actors spoke the lines and furnished
background.
LINCOLN HALL-BERNAYs's ORCHESTRA.
The first of the series of orchestral concerts
under the direction of Prof. r. G. Bernays
took place at Lincoln hall last night. The
attendance was fair, but not SO large as the
merits Of the entertainment warranted. The
programme opened with the overture to
Stradella," which was excellently played.
This was followed by Haydn's fifth SYM
phony the various movements of which were
executed with aprecision and nicely of phras-
ing which evidenced thoroughness of rehearsal
and close obedience to the conductors baton.
A Concert Stuck" by Meissel, with solo for
double bass was perhaps the most pop
ular number in which Herr Beckel
brought forth tones and effects from
this ponderous instrument that were
new and unexpected. A paraphrase,
Loveley," by Nesradba; Turco- Russian
march, by Nesbig, and WaldteufePs waltz,
"Sirenes," completed the programme. Prof.
Bernayss effort to popularize orchestral music
is one deserving encouragement, and when
the entertainment provided is as good as the
concert last night it should be literally
patronized by all lovers. of music. The next
concert will be given in January.
NOTES.
Miss Mather will play in Leah this
evening. Tomorrow evening, AS You Like
It,"
Mr.. Jefferson and his company played
"The Poor Gentleman" at the National thea
ter last evening. This was the first perform
ance the comedy has had in Washington for
many years. 1t was quite successful, and
will be duplicated tonight
During the week corresponding to the pres
ent one in 1S35-that is to say, this week
forty-seven years ago-the father of the Mr..
Jefferson who occupies the stage of the Ma
tional theater now was acting in the stock
company of the then National theater in sup
port of Mr.. James Wallack and Miss Emma
| Wheatley. The play on the night of Decem-
ber II, 1885, was Tobin's comedy "The
Honeymoon" with the following cast Duke
Aranza, Mr.. Wallack Juliana, Miss Wheatley
Rolanda, Mr. Cline; Jaquez, Mr.. Knight;
Lampedo, Mr. Jefferson; Volante, Mrs.
Hughes; zamora, Mrs. Knight; hostess, Mrs.