New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-26
ORR ENGLISH FRIEND.

I-nder the title of Our English Friend farci-
cal comedy. in four acts presented last night al
Dalys Theatre for the first time will probably con-
time for a brief period, TO amusc The frcquenters
of this house The materials of which the new piece
is composed are exceedingly sllght-sO slight that
they constitute an entertainment rather than a
nav and this entertainment is suggestive of kindly
welcome rather than Of serious reflections. Our
English Friend" IN other words, is lrlne.
hui il is an amusng trile-bright. cheer
tul, innocent and wholcsome-ahd 1t prctends to no
higher rank or stronger substance. The
occaeion Of its arrival, accordingly, does not seem
10 prompt The expendi ure OF much critical an3ly-
SIS We need not, surely, have the headache every
time we hear the laughter OF GU ne ghO0rs. Nix
Daly has endeavorea to provide amuse lent and he
has succeeded in tina endeavOr. Those who see
- Our English Friend viii see a number of pleas
mt Dprsuns who are cXeTtiIg their powers upon
trivial matters. and dong ms IA rather motive
less manner and with strenuous earnestness quite
dlsprOp0rtioned To the importance OF us ODJcct
Inn In spcctltOr soon ceases to look for substance
and becomes engTOSscd with the DagIteIic atlHos-
phere which stands in It's place here are many
smile aud adrOIt lttle touches OF piayiul
satire upon feminine character III TINS piece
there is pungent pleasantly IN portions Oh us tcRt:
and, particularly IN tho third act mere arg mes
that afford capital opportunity to The 0nedial
who knows how to speak drOll words IN a dry way,
and thus produce the effect OF unconscious unek-
pected humor. The time of the piece IS the present
day; the scene /, farmhouse III northern New
York and the persons are the guests OF the jewellers
in that house Our English Friend drops III. une1s
comic superuty. lead 10 the action and the mir
full effect of the play. The farce part OF THIS
comedy makes one think Of Mr.. Bronson
Towards Brighton "-snce, IN each case
the hero is young gentleman Of inHamnatOry alec
tons The serious part is indirectly aud remotely
suggestive of EverybOdys Friend" Two wives
reGuest tn cir husbauGs to relinquIsh days shoot
ing and stop at home, but piqued by tho re-
fusa of these ardent sportsnen and III the absence
OF their lords they give a bali. Various pairs are
now set at cross pn rpOses and in the ensuing como
tangie resides the dramatic element. Muslcdl Dlt5
are introduced all along the line OF the piece anu
are dehcately and even brilliantly tTedte py aI2s
May Fielding. c0tIiliOn Is danced, by the Whoie
company. alrs. Gilbert, ahectionately weicohcu'
Is charming as a formidable aunt. There IS a gro
tesque German apol hecary made ririIcuiOus De
tween love, jealousy and bOnbast. Miss AGA hehah
has the part of mschievOus girl. winch precisely
suits her, and Ia which she is thoroughly piquant
ana delightful Mt Fisher gives "a shgbd Dut tIi-
ing sketch of chimney corner character Inc grace
aua GOODNESS OF Mr. Drew's nonchalant style are
made tributary to sharp effects. Mr.. lie Wis, th0ugh
not English IN his delineatiOn Is iuil oi his drOii,
dry, eccentric hun0T, and most agreeably neat anu
finished ia his execution. The piece is done IN a
single set aud that fine specimen Of stage group
inR and color Our ENGLISH Friend was re-
cciyod with frequent laughter by crowded house.