National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-08
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE NATIoNhL-"TuE RIyy

One hundred and nine years ago this month
Sheridsn's comedy Of 1.-THE Rivals" was first
presented to the public of the Covent Garden
theater, and scored a decided failure. re.
cast of the dramatis persona was had, tho
play remounted, and on its second presenta-
ton 1t achieved remarkable success.
1t took front rank in English stand
ard comedy, which it has maintained
ever since. To analyze tho play, and upon it's
own merits satisfactorily account for the
strong hold it has upon both popular and
critical estimation is problem elevated into
the regions of tho conundrum-onc, in fact,
which, with Dundroary in the play, mo
fellow will ever find out"
For it lacks originality, spontaneity, fresh
ness. 1t is artificial and tawdry. Its
characters are caricatures Its wit is
stolen, and badly damaged in the
stealing. 1t is neither satire upon society
nor faithful portraiture thereof. 1t gilt
tiers, undoubtedly. 1t is polished to its high
est capacity, and shines with glazing splen-
dor. But its splendor is but q glare after all.
Its characters are not what they appear to be,
but are protested wits lying in wait for a
brilliant antithesis or pointed retort. Mrs.
htihpTOp "a Wchh EcpTOuuCblOu VI
Fielding's Mrs. Slipslop, with too
suspicious touches of Tabitha Bramblo
in Humphrey Clinker." Sir Anthony
Absolute is modelled upon Smollett's Matthew
Bramble, with gestures, phrases, and bearing
stolen without art from the erascible sea dogs
of the earlier comic dramatists. Lydia is
commonplace to inanity. Capt Absolute Is
a very weak dilution Of Sir Harry Wildair
and fifty other portraitures Of Congreve
Wycherly, and Vanburgh. Bob Acres him
self is but caricature of the Freeloves and
Belmours of the earlier day wearing their
garments awkwardly, clumsily initial.
ing their dullnesses and shining in
the reflected splendors of their wi /.
Its plot is common with a hundred
other dramas. its dialogue is stilted, and
through it runs in stream that saturates it
the sefsh spirit of its author, till the i'm
preston it produces is unpleasant and dis
satisfying. So much for the play. II
the acting with which it was presented
last night is fair type of the man
ner in which it has been generally
presented, then the reason for its success is
plain. Bad in itself, it was redeemed by the
superb manner in which tho company ut the
National last night presented it. Costuned
with fidelity to the era of its date, it was rem
| dered all through with n vivacity, strict at
tention to DETAIL a thorough Identification OF
tho actor with the part, which deserves the
highest commendation. Not tho least test OF
an actors merit Is his ability to render the
characters of "Tho Rivals" with satisfaction tc
the audience. Tho company last night, from
David to Bob Acres, carried the house with
them at once. The audience was an un.
usually critical one, and their plaudits wore
tho moro valuable, because intelligcntly
given.
Mrs. John Drew as Mrs. Malaprop made one
forget that the character was impossible, be
cause artificial and unnatural. What the
author failed to do was accomplished by Mrs
Drew last night, in creating veritablo flesl
and blood Mrs. Malaprop, in whose occontrici
ties, both of language and of character, thu
audience took personal interest. Mr.. Fred
erick Robinsons Sir Anthony was, in makeup
in gesture, tone, and facial expression, an idea
Sir Anthony. Ills merit as an actor was illus
trated by his not OVERRIDING the part merit tn,
more remarkable in that it is seldom seen IL
the presentation of this character. Mr.. II. l.
| Downing as Capt, ADbOluto was Jhroughou
the play, except perhaps in the beginning
the scene with Sir Anthony, when the latte
proposes tho taking of wife, thorough.
identified with the requirements of the part
He gives a promise of future greatness o
which his friends may we'll be proud. Mr.
Charles Plunkett as Sir Lucius was equal!
good. Miss Rand as Lydia was perfectly
satisfactory. The rest of the cast were fully
up to the needs of the play.
Mr.. Jefferson played Bob Acres with hi
highest ability. This character is perhap
his favorite and no rendered it with a success
that left nothing to be desired. In Jefferson
hands Acres is dignifcd aud 'idealized. Th
character is caricature, but as Jefferson
} plays it it becomes one for whom We hav
personal affection. Not even as Rip VA
Wrinkle does this actor show more power tina
in Bob Acres.
Tonight the company will render 9Th
Cricket on the Hearth" and Lend M
Five Shillines," with Jefferson as Mr.. &c
lightly in the latter piece.
: FoRD's-"THE BEGGAR STUDENT"
Millocker's "Beggar Student" was PR
! sented at Ford's opera house to crowde
audience by Ford's Comic Opera company laI