National Republican., 1883-01-19
DRAMA AND NusIC,

DRAMA AND MUSIC.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS AT THE NATIONAL
Messrs Robson and Crane appeared last
evening at the National theater in q" The
Comedy Of Errors" Their Judgment in re-
storing this play to their repertory is TO be
highly commended. 1t was creditable sue
cess with them from tho FIRST and they are
not like to find anything else in which they
will be better able to attract and please
the people. They have made no material
changes in their version of tiff in
deed they have made any changes
ut all. The most possible is gotten out
of tho Dromio scenes several transposi-
tions of incident are made, and two or three
scenes that Shakespeare never thought of are
put in by way of welding, or to round out
acts. The situation of affairs at the close of
the second act was (if memory serves) devised
by Mr.. Joseph jefferson. 1t is furiously
funny, though, perhaps, little aside from
the main current Of tho play. Interest in
the performance is, of course, conferred in
the Dromios The manner in which these
characters are presented challenges admira-
tion for both comedians. Mr.. Robson gives
free play to his humor, and leaves Crane to
follow him as best he may. The marvel in
the case is that Crane follows him for so long
n time without break or flaw. SO perfect is
the imitation that the identity of the Dromios
is frequently mixed, not only to the other char
acters, but TO the people in the audience.
In scenes where they appear in quick alter
nation IL is quite impossible to distinguish
any difference between them. As an exam
pie of high humor on one hand, and extraor-
dinary mimotic power on the other, nothing
better has been seen for many day.
The Antipholi were well imperSonated, as,
indeed, were all the characters. The enter
tainmcnt was singularly even and well sus-
tanned.
THE IDEAL OPERA COMPANY.
"Patiencc" was performed by tho Boston
Ideal Opera company last evening before the
largest audience of the week. Mr., Barnabee's
Bunthorne, tho most noticeable feature of the
performance was much more temperate than
past observation of that gentleman might have
led anyone to expect. 1t was apart from any
thing else he has ever done in respect of its
being as much the authors as his own. Mr.,
Barnabee treated Mr.. Gilbert with degree of
respect he has never accorded to any other
writer. He was funny, but in the
right vein. lie fell in with the OBJ
vious intent Of the character, and
gave it representation so thoroughly in its
own humor that nobody who saw it and who
knows the difference between mere funny
work and good acting will ever again doubt
that Mr.. Barnabee can really act Marie
Stone, who had the title-character, got
through tho evening creditably, notwith-
standing her voice was slightly under the
weather. Mr.. Karl was the Grosvenor, Miss
Phillips the Lady Jane, Mr.. Morsell the Duke,
Mr.. Macdonald the Colonel, and Mr.. Froth-
ingham the Major-and not good one. Mr..
Frothingham's difficulty is that he cannot be
satisfied with less than square foot of acting
to the square inch of opportunity. He is quito
in earnest about all he has to do, and to that
extent, as well as for decided turn for broad
Characterization, he is entitled to credit. But
his over-acting is forever throwing him out of
his place in the perspective of any perform
ance in which he is concerned. 1t would
have proiltcd last evenings entertainment If
he had taken to heart and governed himself
by what Hamlet says in contempt of those
who speak more than is set down for them, in
the unworthy hope to scta quantity of barren
spectators laughing. The Sapphir and Angola
were frequently at fault in their singing,
though both were very pleasing to the eye,
The chorus was satisfactory, the music Of the
Dragons being especially well sung. No
piece in the compauy's list has been better
costumed. The groupings were gracefully
picturesque.