National Republican., 1883-10-10
ADJUSTMENTS.
TIE NATIONAL.

Augustin Daly's comedy Of "7-o0S; Or
Casting the Boomerang" has been presented
for two nights this week at tho National to
crowded houses. Tho comedy itself is n
breezy, graceful one, sparkling with mirthful
scenes and fairly overlowing with humor
The situations are all easy and natural and
the ludicrous turns flow without effort or
straining. Tho plot is very simple, the
handling fresh and artistic. Thoro is
nothing forced, nothing artificial while
the company is thoroughly disciplined
to the requirements of the play. The only
dra wbacl is the tendency TO ovordo, to ex-
aggerate that which is ludiorous enough
without exaggcration. The temptation to
do this is strong and well-ngh irresistible to an
actor who is not % great artist. This exagger-
alton tends to convert comedy into buiioonery
and to place the play in rivalry with a circus.
This tendency was not strongly marked, but
actors so natural, conscientious, aud capable
as Messrs. Frank Hardonberg and Henry
Miller should avoid what is simply botch
upon an otherwise artistic rendering of their
parts.
The comedy synopsizod runs thus: Mr..
Courtney Coriss (Mr Fulton Russoll), gen
boomorangs, dovotes his time to hunting
face that has struck his fancy. Mr.. Lance
lot Bargss Frank Hardenberg), u jolly old
gentleman, without grain of poetry about
him. comes to Now York with his family for
u winters visit, and, TO hoodwinlS his wiio,
pretends to engage in literary, work. He is
aided and abetted by Prof. Gaseigh (Mr.
Harry Rainforth), who shows Mr.. Barglss
around town. and makes him "pay" for the
instruction. Paul Hollyhock (Mr. Henry
Miller), tho husband of Dora Hattie
RussolD MIR. Bargiss's daughter, becomes
possessed with desire to SEQ life
also, and joins his father in law in that
amusement Sig. Palmiro Tamborino Mr. ID.
| q. Longworth), an Italian dancing master, on
mission for an carl, falls in with the Bargss
party, and persuades Mrs. Bargiss that his
principal has fallen in love with photograph
of her daughter Flos (Ielen Bijou Heron)
tho much sought 7-20.s. The Bargiss party
have servant Jessie Florence Barrett), "a very
pretty and piquaut specimen of Servant girl
hood" Last not least, is Mrs. Hypatia Bar
giss (Jennie Reifiarth), a lady possessed of
ancestors aspirations, and o hobby. Kind
hearted, loving, and imperious Mrs. Bargiss
has literary ambition and social vanity, aud,
while essayiug to rule her household, includ-
ing son in law, is divided in sentiment be-
tween the desire of seeing her husband u dis
tinguished poet, and her youngest daughter
! the wife of an earl. Out of this simple plot
flow many very laughablo mistakes, intensely
funny scenes, growing out of the course of
the play as naturally as boughs upon a tree or
| buds upon bush,
| The acting is commendable The company
is a very strong one, thoroughly at home in
their parts. and as rule present their roles in
as natural manner as they would pass
through similer scenes in real life. The
| hearty mirth which the comical situations of
! the play excite led Mr.. Hardenberg to slightly
ovordo his part on Monday night. Mr.. Har-
| denberg should repress, not cxaggerate the
laughable scenes he passes through. With
this exception his acting was capital. Such
indeed, must be tho criticism on the
rest of tho company. This tendency to
oxaggerate was noticeable in Mr.. Miller and
! Mr.. I,ongworth. IL the latter would study
q Italian pronunciation for month or two with
I a competent instructor he would improve his
rendition of the part materially. Miss Biou
Heron comes legtimately by her dramatic
ability, being a daughter of Matilda Heron
A little less abruptness Of movement is all
that is necessary to make her very satisfac.
tory actress. Jennie Relflarth as Mrs. Bargiss
was exceedingly good and correct, and Miss
Florence Barretts pretty face, no less than
with the audience.