New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-05
MIrSJC AND THE DRAMA.
vALLACK'S NEW THEATRE.

he IT.
mem -. ond Affection. dignifed by associa-
,,tb shining professional names. ana WIN 'no
- ,t,lj,ctual ideas that are eXemp 'ie' ;" '"N
- of modern times and now Ianhch'u anew
-, everything in its favor the UNI az"
.,,,,e og thar voyage can "d'n' "'
Long after the present genei"''oN 100 m IN -,
ualIac{, : tn. atre. in its new NOME, VII, ''''
-, On i,st,,ution of this great cltN' i"o """'-
- bhelJ last night what may DC resd'"ou
:; ope sense q creation OF It's own 'as'c
q o,l.,,,, and reflex OF us own chalac'ef'
1T. and luxury in theatres eau only eAis' III
D''''s t,. wherein beauty and luxury have become
tbe desired. the appreciated and the piocuI"o'1 az
- IS If life. 10 a large section of the public
q, ,iiopce saw Hkewise--and, perhaps, its pride
'l..srrc may herein have been tempered with
80" .;.rt al sadnesS-One Of the results OF our
.a,bicb is destined TO outlive us all, happiness
.,r descendants and legacy TO the new age
H. t,s view of the subject, the responsibility that
49,, ,v.llack has assumed to bear-a responsibility
~ Involves likewise the whole body OF ms
',,,ro,tcrs-is assuredly felt TO be OF the highest
ord grayest character The permanence, such as 1t
= Of what we establish, may but serve to point the
orol of our own eyanescence. but at least we can
.,,Inre in a high and noble purpose, earnestly
s,ndorad For the shrine of such purpose
tLo new Wallack's Theatre Is fifty fashioned,
a,dIaS night il received an appropriate dedication
hofo,a on asSembage Representatives, few audi
,oees have ever becn-Of the best mind and taste,
,bo be,uty and the wealth of New-YOrk.
In tho construction of the theatre MIR. Wallack
h NOT ahmed at surprises INDUCED the taste for
ayt-ava,anca. A sense Of refined simplicity has
a,..iisd throuchout every part of the structure.
r.. entrance hail is like that of private Dlau-
sion ami The auditorium possesses all the charac-
ti,tics nj a drqving-room. The wainscot is OF |
cbarry wool The walls are decorated with dark
col ,,ar,ot The Two galleries and the six
nrosc.ui,un boxes are faced with gold. Inc
doors are masked inside with heavy curtains of
rich fabric OF plush and enbr ilery. The boxes are
lined with velvet. The ToOi, which is made OF ron
and contains a DOME is painted in hues OF dead gold
and re,nish blue \ few flower pictures. painted on
q Golden gro md aud covered with glass, adoIn the
walls The drop Is painted, with great SKILL 10
tPorescut q curtain OF blue satin, ornanent'd win
hang d. .aIauds of roses. just below the celung
and 80 dispo.ed rs to make a border around the
walls are sixteen hemlspherical panels, each con-
lsiniug an cIublcmatic picture From the centre ol
HE done hangs a massive chandelier designed by
Mr. WaIachl. made of porcelain and brass and
having an effect. quite indoscribable. OF massive
and vet airy cluster of golden drops. The pro-
sceDium arch is a pictuTe-rame, OF g1ided carved
good relieved by lines OF dark RED velvet. Inc
balcouy-rai, is very delicate modification oil the
horseshoe line but the auditorium IS, III shape,
tectgnc,c The stage is low, and can Toe seen WIN
ST. from every part Of che house. The seats are
dark I'd arm-chairs softly cushioned ana very |
rou,for.ablc There are scouccs, for lights |
at due intervals along the gallery honts
and the side walls The floors are covered
with thick carpets, of soft, neutral coiors.
The band is lodged in sunken chamber
beneath the front OF the stage. There are seats LOT
over 800 pelsous-the upper gallery alone con-
tanning 40 chairs The stage is wide but not deep
and there is abundant space both above and be-
neathit. Tn. theatre is heated by steam, and the
ventilation Of it is perfect. Everything in the way
Of decoration is easily seen to be OF costly beauty
Net eyerythiagi is chaste and quiet. SOliIity and
grace prevail in all parts of the work. lovely |
theatre!-tbat was the Judgment OF the audience, |
and that Judgment found expression on all Sides II
would not lie incorrect to say that the house re- |
eeIved more attention than the inaugural perform |
nnce that opened il. In fact, this was a night OF
public fc>tivitv-an occasion of cOngratuaj0n over
an suspicious work well accomplished and the be-
ginning Of long line of exalted pleasures The |
majority OF the audience was in evening dress and
the aspect Of the place that Of STATE reception
No spectacle of the kind, more luxurious and brli-
liant III m this has ever been seen i'll this city.
winch was acted on this occasion, there is no need
Of particular remark. A. sparkling picture of
manners and as the terse and treachant exposition
of story that possesses lasting and universal IL
terest and significance ii has held the stage for
century and doubtless, will hold il for century
more. N.Y. Wallacks choice Of il as an opening
piece is readily understood HIS theatre is a comedy
Theatre and the keynote that he strikes is that of
tie oll-couedy style Of acting whereof the ira
diron is preserved here and exists nowhere else.
That style smarkcd Ivy clear intellect elegance o.
manners grace without languor. dash without vul-
Var;tv correctness without pedantry polished wit,
tine light suggestive touch OF sentiment and The
si.ken embroidery of article. Ii Is realm OF
bright c~cs and white bOs0mS, of supple figures
and ringing tones Of musical laughter and
nimble est. of linking fountains and halm-breath-
iug rose, that tins fine old manner of the English
comedy opens before us; and II is realm of great
light 70 such as have the right feeling for what is
Quaint and stately, sweet and mournfu drea mike
and eva Icsc.nt in mood and in art. Nr. Wallack !
alone 0. all the dramatic leaders, has strYen 10
preserve il. There was abundant evidence III the |
bright novelty and in the bright performance OF
The school for Scandal, last nlgIt, that he pos
sa,se3 alike the power and the purpose to preserve 1t
still On Che qualities OF the acting II will b prop
CT 70 reserve rejection for calmer moment. ais was
merry ma;ingand the spirit Of it tinged the entire
Each OF the players had a well !
come-tna OF john Gilbert being perfect storm of
demou,r tive kindneSs that OF Miss Rose COghian
being iuj, OF the chiyary of the golden youth, and
those Of Nr. rcarlc and Mr.. Edwards being partic-
nlarly cordial. Here the full cast of the parts
record that becomes historic now for all lovers of
the stage -
Sir Peter Toe 10000. John Gilbert
Charlie. -uila OsnOnd TcaTle
Joseph ~lrfIoe ..................-.. Gerald Eye
81 Ben. amin lacgbite ........... T.. V. Sinclair
NrabtIee ID. Lesson