New-York tribune., 1882-09-29
THE DRAMA.
VIVA.

tins journal of Mr. Leonard Growers drama of
Viva" which was produced last Monday night at
Nbo's, by the Hauisols, and in which those actors
will make professional tour of the country. 1t is
a rough piece, somewhat specifically executed as
10 jonture character aad language and its texture
is sometimes coarse but III point Of invention 1t
is play OF unusual merit aud for that reason,it de-
serves thoughtful notice.
OF the Spontaneous dramatic impuse-thc impulse
that prompts author to dramatic expression
for its own slke-thcre is but little ev-
idence in Mr.. Growers composition; but
j, aboands with evidence of practical busi-
ness-lile dramatic purpose. Its first and second
acts have been devised wish view to Introduce
the specaics of the HarrsOns, in farce and music
Its three subsequent acts contain serious story oi
a highly romantic and effective kind The complete
work, accordingly, commingies the elements OF mu-
scal variety. comedy, and melodrama. AT tho end
Of the second act the heroine an Italian street
singer. has accepted an Offer of marriage from
wealthy gentleman, who has promised 10 give her
an educ ton IN music, but whose intention Is 10
make her his mistress The third act shows her de-
serton by this elegant rascal involves the fact OF
his assassination by her uncle-an Itaiah
outlaw and ends with the seizure
OF her innocent brother. as the mnr-
dercr Act fourth indicates the trial and con
demnation Of this innocent youth, and reaches the
climax of the parting between the brother ana
sister. Also IL begins the DEVELOPMENT OF the real
murderer scheme to eXOncrate his nephew, ana, "I
the same time. to keep his own secret Inc last ac1
shows the success of that scheme. Tie sister III
order to save her brothers life, declares that she
herself murdered her betrayer. The uncle, mean-
time. has administered 70 her-wlth her own khoWl-
edge certain mysterious drug winch be declares
and which she lelicvcs TO be poison; bHt MS
drug is such a medicine as Olt fnar Lawrence
vould havs rcvellcd in-for its function Is merely
to produce the sembance of death, after pcloH
of wasting illness and then recovery. Inc
plan 81 eds. Tie innocent brother d liberated
The supposed murderer dies. The resusciiation is
accomplished The heroine nnds a true lover
III place o. the false one who has suffered
death. And the ayeugcr escapes uns"athed' an
nounciug his intention to return 10 Italy ana tAe
congeuial life of a briEand. Last OF ALL the
scene Is changed to what it was in act ir, ana the
heroine who had suddenly tainted there, reVNes
to find that all has been dream
To the experienced eve tue dramatic values III
volved III this production are obvious. Inc nitro
ductIon of the Italian singers and the escape
Of the Italian bugand from BIacNweIls
Island make "A highly spirited beginning, with
out any distortion of probability. The sentimental
portion of the ensuing story while not novel, Is al
least rational. and II rs carried onward with pleas
ing rapidity. The Italian avcnser is a probable,
picturcsquc ana au impressive rutlian. The result
aut situations are dramatic and toucnug, and the
elimination II both romantic IN atmosphere and
effective in picture. Having planned medley OF
high am low life, gyp~yiug and Italian vengeance,
the author found inevitable difficulty As to the Sc
lection Of the passages in hls herone's experience
best fitted for theatrical illustration. That diff
Guilty he has not sarmounted with an entirely
iehcitous skill. The whole four,h act could be
spared, and certainly all that relates 10 the
conspiracy of Mrs. Eice AMI the Her from ought 10
be omitted from it, Foo much fine language l. al
lotted 10 ira both at Wrenmere and ConeJ Island.
The speeches about famous ltalan- and tine homily
on buttoubole bouquets come perlon~y near the
ridiculous; and z RI who Is to Dee arle,-ly simple
i'm act third mus, not be prodigy OF sapruce IN act
frt But i i, m hi, ire; 'meut of the hIgA comedy
characters and manners that the author has been
most ruthless. Hrs. Id1 Nch0ick and .Hr. NcdaBeT
are impossbitIcs both to language and CON
duct; while the Rer. Broicn Nrs Rice and Gutcricre
are mere caricalures The ra-cal is feenly
drawn. and. especially in act third, Is hand cd
with deplOrable irre>0utlon; Wme tne
genuine lover made conlemptihle nouentlty
through being neeIle,sly burlened with knowledge
of the yillauy that he ought 10 oppose, but which
he base,y permits Th- close Of the third act is cut
"
much Of the slck-room business in act NTH; the
uurse's exit speech is needless; the kiss your
father" and the Yankee Doodle aiu5Ion, II act
third. are Objectionable because puerile; and the
antecedeuts of Gianefh, the outlaw are moi made
absolutely clear, while lis escape is an
offence TO sound morality. These things
couplcd with samouess and redundancy OF
style denote the lack Of thorough,
stern. critical labor over the play, alter
its completion. But these defects do not defeat its
purpOs. Ii sill d., The practical, elective Vehicic
of strong DIR .lG1t.c sjoIy.
Miss alice Harrison, VINO acts ira has long been
a prominent ana excellent actre~a ll musical cA-
travagauZa and, oi course sine j. az some dsICydu-
tage wien suddenly called 20 rally her
serious feelings ana powers. Her success however,
/, the more remarkable Tor that reason. \ more
thorough and consistent preservation OF aitlessne,-,
enable hrr 10 strengthen the touching effect OF the
injured girls Remuneration OF beg beir"tcr, Ill tne
su u1,equcut scene with tnls Inhumiu mother. Miss
HARRISON, In tnls eXactng scene sustained herself
with admirable skill, the quiet OF intense feeling,
and the broken ut,craacr OF rue grci. Tie par ing
from tbe urothcT ana the de h-bcd scene were Like
wise trra ed ry her with deep tlnOuOn, well eX-
4 blt OF simple, pathetic balad-sInHug might Wise
ly be intro Creu ia the beach scene 20 contrast with
tne more sparkling, hard ana tdIclcd efforts. Inc
low and SOFT tone OF the voice shOad likewise De
more generally uacd. ic first Urc5 IL OytrUpnc as
to color. There Is wise discretion ia rdclucihB
beauty to accuracy auI here thc actr"s. hda Drth
too n,eral. tier success III tue part, however Is
signal ana uncQulyOcai.