New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
DOLLARS AND SENSE. =

1t was festival night at Days Theatre. Fisher.
Lewis. Leclercq, Drew, Ada Rehan, Mrs. Gilbert,
May Fielding, and Virginia Dreher we're among
the favorlte players to be welcomed, and ne w
piece by Mr.. DAILY was the theme Of professional
enort and public attention. The play has capital
Title, and its three acts suggest a salutary moral I'M
manner that Is equally cogent and sprightly. Mr.
DAILY has taken the plot Of German farccal COM
edy for basis. and on that has reared theatrical
structure which is, In some few particulars perth
nent to American life, among the wealthy classes
of our people at the present hour. The is laid
in Washington. Fourteen persons are implicated in
the conduct OF the plOt-seven being men. and
seven women. Diversified types OF character have
been chosen for portrayal. The story depicts thu
relations Of three prominent families. Of q suli-
GENTLY eccentric pattern to be piquant and, though
trte enough in ITSELF it Is conducted, In lively
spirit to farce effects that are vastly hilarious and
to happy contamination which implies ITS own
sufficient lesson The production. last night, was
distinct and oven brilliant success; but this re-
sult was far less the consequence of the play than
of the acting In the former there are several
capital characters, all ancient In one form or an
other and there are many lines of pungent pleas
anUry but nothing Is done, and vast deal of prep
aratiOn and Of diminishing about Iriles, proceeds
without once creating situation ofpOwer, and ends
at last IN smuke. In the other there were achieve
meuts of delightful vlVacity, naturalness and artis-
tic fnish
Mr. Drew and Miss Rehan, as the lovers who begin
with piquant contention and end with honied
reconciliation, acted IN the true vein of comedy
vibrant with restrained feeling and sparkling with
the lustre of external leyity. Mr.. Lewis, as the
frisky old gentleman who would like to escape for
a while from the restraints of domestic government
and have little frolic was in his happlest vein
and almost every line be spoke elected responsive
laughter. There is rowing husband in the play,
who is matched with an aliectiOnate orderly, COM
monplacs wife, and who becomes aenated from
her, through the destinations of brilliant. tan
talzing sensual mercenary, heartless, but ably de-
ceitful coauette and adventures Mr.. Yorke
stephens enacts the husband; Miss Virginia Dreher
the dangerous and bewitching siren. This latter
performance only needed rerose of manner to make
it superlatvely good, while the former displayed
intelligent design and ardent feeling often defeated
for lack OF seli-contrOl and grace. Mrs. Gilbert
appeared in her usual capacty,-as the personitca-
ton of downright eccentric virtue and humorous
common sense,-and with her usual sprightliness
and unconscious humOr and tenderness made this
one of the most charming individuals in the drama.
A remarkable sketch Of an old servant perfect IN
every detail-was set forth by Alr. W. IL. lhomp'
son. Mr. Fishers share IN the piece Is shgnt-Io
portray a kindly, uXorious old gentleman, IN en-
barrassed circumstances, keeping up the appearance
of luxury, and opuent style. Needless to say this
was perfectly performed. As portralture Of man
ners IN the City OF Washington, or anTwhere else'
this piece is gravely incorrect. The OBVIOUS,
transparent pair OF swndlers who quarrel IN TURK,
ish gibbersh In a drawing room. and the rascal
who walks about with red fsz upon his head, are
simply impossibilites in the situation supposed OY
fine dramatist That quarrel (which should be an
aside spells the act, too, by dspelng ali Illusion
of suspense But It Is not for the serious weight OK
the niece that Dollars and sense " has been de-
yisod and represented. 1t is the mirhiul character
OF the complications. clustered around central
idea of domestic danger, that attracted tue uL",
carry the play, and with such players as Mr. Day
80 fortunately has gathered, It will easily nave
career The scenery, especially the hrst SET y eA-
ceptlnually tasteful and rich. There was large
audience aud 1t received the new piece WIN Ire
Quent laughter and many plaudits.