New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-03
The DRAMA.
LONDON ASSURANCE REVIVED

AT WallackS Theatre, last night, revival
OF Mr. Bouccaults familiar and sparkling comedy =,
London Assurance" was effected, under agree,h. ~,
cumstanccs. and 1t received with much publc 49,
proval. This comedy has been than forty y,.,.
before the public; It has very often been ae.d v,
neither profound subtle work and its beo,,,a.
and defects well understood Yet II wonld no au
cult to say precisely what II Is that eves the piece fla
enduring and indspuable charm II Ia intensely a,,i
fetal There IA scarcely person IN II who can lao -,
garicd "a lovablc or sincere II surely cannot to 40
ceped az a representative pcture ~ English tnannar,
II Is not remarkably brilliant In dialogue tts story m
laes to nothing important than the discontinue n,
an old beau at the hands Of a good hearted, ds,hlns
bnson, bit nnfe0ned. and not o,et-srfupulous lad,
who chiefly remarkable fof hpr taste ani talent IA ha
riding Of hofsus This soty, however Ia ninnslne To-,
pie Hike to see The olh baa' made ridiculous There 4,
much fun IN the bfrasy, aiaba nsoloht aniarlly a,
pHssie There Ia a merry animal vitality IN iggs t,v
sprinkler ai several excellent farce effects hayA hean
derived from ihu management ~ rh1rifs fourth al,
hold hirpein ani humhug, AMI Mgfk Msddis a. A
thick atinnai, intrusive o0ntempthle fam nv toF
he average man ~ particular such character as tain
an AygHkfr p0ssosses irresistible attraction hun n
you would discriminate between refinement aud val.
gariiY, IN tho typo Ut nature, you have only Ia
compare her for instance with SCOTS Diaaa Vernon
Probably the farce elements of Mr. Boucicaurs peee
were It's original passport to general public acceptaton
Certainly his skill In the treatment ~ those elements re-
plays OF tho century.
Mr.. Wallack has revived "LondOn Assurance" with
careful attention to detail aud with a capital east IIe
appears himself as the mpudon frolicsOmc, cool al.
venturer Da=-e and his animal spirits his elegance OF
bearing. and his neat execution enable him. Of course
to carry the part with delightful Mr. John Gilbert
appears Sir Harcot Coury and he gives an excel.
lent embodiment of old bewggcd painted frcscoed,
almost dccrepit. and wholly heartless, vapid and de-
plOrablc Of fashion. Mr. Harry Edwards presents
the hnry, denOnsirative English country squire MAJ
HdrLdUdy aud he infused into this personality the blu
honesty of generous nature and the infectious hlarty
or genuine humOr Miss Rose Coghlan II the Lady Gay
Spdnber and better whether in beauty, vvacity
dashng re.klessness, what may be called the charm
Her delivery of the speech about the foXchass
in precisely the spirit Of scnsuous animal enjoyment
that Mr. Boucicaut imagined for her. and II awoke her
audience TO uncommon enthusiasm Grace Hdrkapiy
neatly and prettily played by Miss Meas0r; Dolly
SDGnksr lost nothing OF his comic awkwa.dncSs as
played by Mr.. Denny. Marx Meddie IA remarkably fine
low comedy performance presented by Mr.. John
IOwsOn Charles COnrtiy by Mr. Osmrnd Teare; Pet
by Miss GerInon. and cool by Mr.. g. Edwin. The re-
viya Is to be commended from theatrical point of view
IL has been well accomplished. and IL makes Mr. Wal
lacks stage brilliant and pleasing scene. The result.
ant advantage tn the spectator is spectacle OF c0mpc
tent and brilliant acting but certainly Is 20 be hoped
that observer of London Assurance will 90 away
from il with the idea that he has seen either truthful
picture Of English society and manners or deep keen
instructive portrayal OF human nature. Mr. Wallack All
nOunccs tie comedy for several rcpeiitOns.