New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-01
MUSIC AND DRAMA
CHARLES wYNDHAM.

MI NVDQDam was WeiCOucus i"0' i'Ac'-.'
the Union Square Theatre by an uncommoniy Drli"n'
anaiepce that crowded the house every part He ap
peared in a comedy entitled Fourteen Days" Wmoh
originated in the French, but which Mr. ii. j. Byron
that sparkling and pungent dramatic auInor anu
prince Of wits has translated into Ehgnsn' ~
much changing IL In the adap'auoh '""
hs niece ia almost a new one. The plot OIL
Fourteen DAYS" given in this Journal some n"o
Since and 1t need not be repeated In driit anu pun
nose the play somewhat resembles that other cieNei
farce OF French extraction. MI. Boueioaults " For
Fruit -; but that piece IL tainted, or gamey WINE ~
pure and pleasant. The object that mas oeen So7
the present composition il merely mirth; Dul'
ally a lesson Of practical sense is suggested ~ "
conduct Of married life while the lash OF
satire is wbimsically laid upon amorous
The husband who has been lodged IN J'-
for fourteen days, for having commlI1eu 49,. no
the peace while In q frolie and who tells MS W. on
must be absent on journey, Is the huiiotou che
that Mr.. Wyndham rcpresentsi anu L.. rstttnte
successive scenes Of comic entanglemenl 'na' 80,
az ,lov 4l,,s comedian exercises an afiuence Vi
spirtts and On incessant spontaneous - ,t,r
ore deliclous The peculiarues OF thlS Alhu Va 49,.
are far more easily appreciated than oescrioeu' ~ ~
narticular branch OF the art French actors are
wonderfully and Acomparany prouc'en'' ~ ..Atoh
as requires a background Of perfect repose' o'er w.
ha,l GLANCE and CLEAN the ever-changtng lights OF quiz
zca droery and comic perplexty, and u e1acts ere"
nimbleness of execution and gossaner oencac5 VI
touch. -. a,s,a,+
Among the Engllsh-speaking actors OF no'-ulsp'n'
mast who were excellent in this field, the experienced
playgoer will recall Charles Mathews, ana hu"aru a.
sotbern Its chief representative in the present perou
Is Lester Waack-whose slightly farecal treatment VI
comedy has long been famous for mingled elegance eI
riment and seemingly artless grace Ihls is inc Scoo
TO which Mr.. Wyndham belongs, and In whcn ho mas
attained TO high rank-not less in force precision anu
graceful skill as an actor than the public acceptance
and admiration While however, he resembles his prede
cessors I'm method. he Is entirely distinct rom
them in personality. There Is certain
thoughtful. almost ruminant gravity IN ~, NE
counenance and demeanor, AMIDST III H
fun, that mpresses observation as whoAy uhl"' n"1
Characteristic attribute This is not the Opaque WOODEN
decorurn that was so comca in Artemus Ward neither
is it the stony gterng compOsure OF dense impehe
trabe dulpess that was 81 Overwhelmingly HUMOROUS
when assumed by SOthern 1t is drol set-centreu'
demure calmness in all his rapid mechanism throngh
which one may detect deep sensbilty Dom seIioV'
and mirtnful; and it invests the comedians manner
with peculiarly winning charm. Added to this he mas
ease in doing unexpected actions anda dry
and crisp uterance for telling lines, While MS Douly
carriage Is usually graceful, and his executive style
marked by amusing nonchalanee and arusuo PIE
eision such q comedian must always prove charming
TO persons who can appreciate the high and rare intel
ectua force which interprets human character thouB
sprigtlness and which sheds the light of kindly
and cheer nj numor the barren tameness OF every
dav life In our day one Of the most mischlevous per
vicious and altogether offensive influences Which nave
attacked the stage is that of hypocrcai speculation III
r,oraIitv-the base mercantile suDterfuge which de
grades and defeats virtue by making II hs'Wu
Mn. Wyndham brings style OF comedy that stands
body forth in refreshing contrast to this, and Is as
welcome as the west wind of morning in June, when
the brooks sparkle and the roses are shining IN me sun
:. Fourteen Days" affords an entertainment without
beInish. The performance was invariably deAshuul'
There was not duh person IN the east And the entire
effect-norally physically, and In point OF art-Was
beautiful cheerful, and benehcent Mr.. Wyndham has
coma al good time alike for conveyance OF the lesson
that he and the pleasure that ne
imparts.
In Mr. Wvndhan's acting last night. there was some
excess OF and gesture, an occasional harsh
ness Of tone and OF anxiety to enforce the comic
effects. but these trhng blemls1es doubt due
in part 10 extreme nervous excitement. The comedian
need not have been in doubt to his audience Inc
performance was accepted with quick and keen appre
citation and 1t went through with kndng velocity and
eyer-increasing merriment. Mr.. Wyndham Is sur
rounded with players who exactly harmonic win
his style and who augment the sparkle OF his method
Willie making bright and frequent points OF their own
Mr. Blakeley who comes with him. has been seen mere
bcfore-an actor whose waggsh ways and seniIemlnne
Establishments are exceedingly drolL Mr. Hamilton
Ashley Is both humorist and comedian, ana aDle as
an artist, 10 give bold expression to true and well
emphasized traits Of character. He acted the
artistic governor of the prison, and was OF
the utmost service TO the central figure OF the
piece Mr. George Giddens and Mr.. Wiltred Draycott
shared likewise in the success OF the night Ihere were
two recalls for Mr. Wyndam at the end Of each act ana
he responled to them By bringing forward all his assoc
cate players The ladies' Of his company who appeared
last night are Miss Rose Saker Miss Norreys Miss T.
yIning and Miss NJ. ROrke. They are all competent
actresses but the distinctly brilliant hit was made
bv Miss Rose saker IN Ruths Romance, by which
Fourteen Days was preceded This is neat
fouclful. pretty little Ouc-act piece. quite IaI-
cca yet only delicatey extrayagant and written with
pleaslg sharpness and playful Wit. Miss Rose Hhker
fnnrta In n a city belle who is living rural life, ana
teasing a brohef-inaw ana lover. The personality
has he charm Of ripe, luXurant wOmaDhood healthIu
honest hearted and merry she seems the incarnation
of gee and her sweet English voice and ripping action
created the effect Of perfect pleasure she VIII nave
wide popularity on the American stage, and Will de-