New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-04
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
THE ROAD TO RUIN.

The ROAD ~ KUHN
A revival of Thomas Holcrofts comedy of
The Road TO Ruin i" was made at Wallaeks Theatre,
last night, and II pleasure to numerous company
Of the steadfast adherens of this house. In this old play
the spectator gets illuminave glimpse of the people
and manners Of past age, In English society; views the
contrast diversified and strongly drawn characters Is
tenderly affected by touching story OF domestic life;
and feels again the strength and beauty Of paterna and
ia affection The piece has held its place the stage
for nearly century, having been first published in 1892
1t is therefore, tale that told" Yet, often rs
is revived it charms all thoughtful judges equally with
its truthful painting OF human nature and the homey
sincerity and solid worth of its literature. Its author was
man matured by rough experience. lie had seen the
world with his eyes, and through veil OF Illusion.
and he thoroughly knew mankind. "The Road 10 Rum
was written at his meridian. and, evidently nc arc"
from his own personal observation and experience WHICH,
as youth he served sporting gentleman ana roue 'ho
racehorses at Newmarket His Go'dfhch is an ac'uai
representative person. and his portrayal OF the via ana
dssipated career of Harry Dora'on tells no doubt inc
story NJ many oeuerous young fellow, who
carried away honor and rectude by the wes Oh
mschievous sharpers goodnaured prodigas anu sc'n'
wanton women Holcrofts sympathy with the isoor-
ing of which he rose s father having oeen
shoemaker and very poor) and his simple and sensible
ideals Of manly worth and the soldy ana sancny OF
homo life and of mercantile honor likewise apparent
IN this play and they deepen its vitality Out OF thty
one plays that he contributed to the British stage this Is
the best almost the only that has survived the
rayagos OF time. .-
For stage purposes "The Road to Ruin" seems
tally more plant than many other Of the old comedies
the reason being that 1t is human and ess artificial
than most of them. Such comedies Love for Love-
"The Wonder" The Busybody and Tho Clandestino
Marriage" for example, exact certain almost indie
Unable manner-an airy elegance and dashing impeu-
osity which alone vitsze their gossamcr fabric ana
which what may be called the fragrance OF
their time and OF the fancy OF their authors suoh
comedies on the other hand The Road to Ruin and
She St00ps to Conquer seem to be moro actual anu
therefore responsive to efforts that proceed out
of the simple feelings OF humanity. DIM Fsfr ana Vde|
tine must be played In the spirit of longago and played
too IN the rosy gancing lights of volatile fancy Hb
Dor7,ton Goldfnch. May%0we and Tony Lnnn'H'n ""eh
the earth, actually upon It, and can DC paye
to some extent, in the spirit OF To-Day Inc
Road to RUM" mean to say, Is play
easier to handle than. certain Others in Mr.
Wallasks brilliant repertory. No actor but MIN
self, that we have ever seen, could play Do't
FsiLr Harry Do,ton may well enough be intrnsteu
TO an actor OF the more prOsac order OF Mr. OSmond
Teare; and Goldfneh Is not appropriately undertaken
by an actor Of the whimsical strain of Mr. John Howson
In fact Mr. wallack has cast the piece with excellent
Judgment we may venture to remark on such matter
and the performance last nghtwhile not comparable
with certain former ones in which Mr. Walack himself
took part together with Holland Seton Woco Fisher
Blake, Mary Cannon and Mrs. Vernon-was compact
smooh ALWAYS credabs sometimes brilliant, and stead
iy enjoyable The most difficult character to hll-0ld
Dornto of the greatest characters OF Munden-wa
again taken as so often It has before by the only
actor of this period Is entirely competent TO sustain
IT, John Gilbert The oldtme British merchant-the
opulent civilian of whom Macauay has left 40 striking
picture in the teeming and splendid third chapter OF
his great history-lves again in John Giberts imper-
sonatiOn. This image OF character and HE tha
constantly suggested its background Of boundless wealth
and almost lordly station. But, also. 1t the living
type OF fathers pride affection The struggle between
love and lust resentment in the fond fathers heart Is
beautifully expressed by this noble artist and at the TO
Cancellation between DOrnton and Harry the actors we'll
smuated emotion became 80 and real that cOntem
plat0n OF 1t seemed almost like an intrusion upon the
sancty of personal and private feelings. Mr. Gilbert
had cordial welcome and abundant plaudits. Mme
Ponisi as the wheedng and corrupt Widow Warren de-
noted with ability painful force the enormty OF
artificial existence low deSre. vanity and heartless
and fippant RIGHTEOUSNESS Dan Lesson is faithful and
fine In Sky Mr. Howson, in comedy part requiring nc
feeling and susceptible OF broad effects entirely ut
trance OF Fife Germon always sprgntly and pquant
hailed with general satisfaction and OF course gave
peasurible sest To- this performance Mr. rssrS
earnesness OF his acting In Harry Dorno' Inc scene
of hysterioa ntoxication carried with admirable ds
erection and force but the character Should possess III
and picturesque beauty. Miss Adela measor eau,E'
bewitching performance OF S0phia. ana IN mr.
will he repeated at Wallacks Theatre for time The
mounting this old comedy superb Al the star dur
Mr. Iryings recent useful lesson was taught
as to the use Of color OF scenery but In stage
mounting the American theatre and especially Mr.
Walacks Theatre, has nothing to learn from the usage
of the Old World. comedy drana-JudgeG T. BaIrttt
"watchword." believe--is in preparation at TIL
house upon certain aspects OF the question
marriage and divorce.