New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-29
TIE DRAHA-M USIC.
MRS. LANGTRY AS GALATEA

The most interesting dramatic incident of last
night the reeutrance of Mrs Langry who appeared
Nlbos Garden in the character of Ga0ed, In Mr.. Gil
berts admired and w6ll-known comedy. Mrs Langtry's
performance Of this part has been In NewYork be-
fore, but It is stronger ard finer performance than
It was then and In this It acc0os the public mind
as fresh creation. Viewed physical embodiment it
certainly is exquisite image Of classical beauty. The
has considered that the statuary OF Phldas
was wrought in ivory and gold, and as It long
tOmary in Greece and Italy to paint the statues IN the
coors of life, the image Of Gated may be effectively pre-
flesh and blood and marble To us IL has
always seemed principal felicity OF Giborts comedy
that retaining It's heroine the essential Characters
tic OF statue It emphasized her state OF forOrn isolation
from humanity, and thus heightened the effect Of pahOs
and OF certain bleak morality las TO the sOrrOwul
plight OF innocence misplaced in world OF sin and
troube which seems the purpose Of the piece to dse
Gaatea is a Child Of Heaven, and unlike mortal in many
ways; and to present animated marble Is 10 make
this very clear. Mrs. L9uguy, however. has formed
somewhat different ideal OF the characters and IN the
performance she gave last night the thoughtful OBJ
server this ideal firmly and evenly sustained and very
clearly expressed. Her Gaaea il, from first TO last n-
n0cen artless chldke, and simple and this Ingenious
individuality s permeated by most profound relish OF
ply existence and touched by glow OF
payuness which Is surely In the spirit OF true comedy.
certain lack OF depth, richness, and meowness In the
elOcutOn, at passages Of strong feeling, almost
the only hlemsh upon this otherwise consistent rounded
aud charming piece OF But obviously, It the In
teut OF the actress not make Gddied q passionate
woman and to freight her on with the misery OF
wasted affection. The condition at first suggested
that OF sweet and grave perpexiyi this presently be-
came diversified with fluctuations Of arOr, terror, and
dismayi and finally 1t rested mOurnfu resignation.
may well be that the IL right and that Gaea
should not De shown woman 81 strong nbre OF too
tar removed from human sympathy BY beings refined
into "A poetic abstraction.
Al ali plan and treatment OF the subject were
consistent and thorough, and they had distinct ana
pleasing effect III statue be painted however, some
OF the others the studio should also bo touched with
color Tho well supplied with adluncts or Grociau
lie. The golden tripods the furniture OF wte ANA gold,
ireglary placed, and the figures the triele, with
view OF gardens Ia tho vista, making up an animated
and characteristic picture Tho building of tue scene,
however INTENTIONAL aud the COlOfs were generally
hard. Mis- Langtrys appearance as GHdcd, apart from
her execution OF no part Is remarkably noble ~he wears
n white robe OF which the skirt preset ts SklIu lmA-
OF sculpturcd rpples, aud which displays the arms
and neck This Ia bound ut tue waist Win a gOliou
gre and there are golden ets around the head. which
appears with It's natural hair the genuine rel gold OF
Mary stuart Lresses for which this lady Ia somewhat eI
managed with marked skill, aud through.
out the performance there was repOs6 or
manner aud "a breadth OF movement which evinCos the
good results Of continued study and practice. The comic
Everl, whose facial expression unconscious humor, eK
pressve vOcalsm and natural deicaCy make him excel
lent In this pOmpously absurd chdracter-pasSed amid
low murmur OF laughter and pleased applause, and at
once established the OF the performance Miss
Katherine Rogers, appearing CiScd made that
lady very prominent figure IN the piece and brought out
Its Evolutionary effects with lire and ygor The proser
walton OF suitable resemblance between the statue and
the wife, who Pygmalians model could not fail 10
be no ed as q careful merit Mrs. Langtry was welcomed
and literally appiaudsd BY an audience tnat nllsd the