New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-07
THE ARTISTS DAUGHTER.

To open the now season 1T the Union Square rhs.1
new play. entitled The Artists Daughter" wr,ttss
Mr. Elliott Barnes. was last night presented in prsss.J
OF numerous and fervid assemb ago. and this pieoa ~
received with interested attention and frequent w.
thetic applause. In this It had a success -
Barnes II known the author OF play called On,,
Farmers Daughter where 1t Is made manifest III
Notwithstanding agricultural lineage, or perhans -
consequence OF bucolc surroundings during infancv
young woman may create immense confusion among ~
laws OF nature and the elements Of syntar-.J
observers Of that phenomenal drama might NJ
expect strictly rational production from Mr. Barnsss
eccentric and perhaps rather needless pen 1.-The Arss
Daughter is better play than it, better known pr.d.
cessor but kindred with ia reckless treatment Of IA.
rehabilitation In its first scene there Is wife ac,u,,
dying and her husband is assumed not to know il I'll ~
formed by the doctor. Many other bcmishes Ike ,hu
could be denotcd and it is certain likewise that NJ,
Barnes writes in ford and redundant style and rea,
oyerlays situation with verbiagc.
The essence OF play suppose, II will be concedA
is rational experience expressed In coherent su.s,
and propnsive action. This author incnes ra,bS
to present, instead OF this, the detausS
analysis OF fiction. His characters too often tell thu.
stories, and incidents already shown subseauenn,
rehearsed. In this piece old model has been en-
poyed with satisfactory but not with startling resusa
One man murders another, and assumes bis t.nt,,l
and this wretch is able for awhile 20 exort money from
a rich women who has adopted the daughter OF ~
murdered man. The daughter is, OF course, reared =
ignorance Of her true paternity The father supposed
have been SLAM reappearssixteen years after he wouN
naturally have returned. In actual life and there An
good theatrical compile kites thus engendered I'M
Artists Daughter" IL strictly amelodrama in the poI
ern Of that term-for IL Is drama Of situatoa
and 1t lays its emphasis upon the story al
upon occasional sharp theatrical effects IN the telling a
It. There Is not much ingenuity exhibited, however n
the exposition OF the plot. The second act which
a minuet violently ntrudcd proved cpsOdical anil
duh. Analysis often IL. " II IL like story out OF
book" says line OF the prologue. True And this q
a drama Is always fault
There are strange views Of French manner, an
there did TO be consent TO the al
crage in French pronunciation The dressing thoush
was snnptuols and the scenes were worthgO the I'D
reputation Of Mr. Marston and Of the Unor Square The
are The play Is far from being a rational cohersnN
rounded and nvulnerabe production but II Is interest
ing various ways and it contains several strong poBn
and at least one touching little that namely
the fathers recognition Of bis long lost daughter Va
John Henry Barnes the well known English comedian
acted the fathcr-wbO is an artl,t-anl his unafec4
simplicity, his manly feeling and his quiet gentle I'd
forcblc uierancc of the emotion equally with m
words made this the emphatic beauty ~ The piece and
quite turned public liking IN ITS favor. Miss Sara JeveN
lad cordial welcome and deserved It. M-, Maude UAs
~ tantalizmg yivarty and coquetl'h archnes&
4 nurlerous ruilan, spe,iou- ana qule,4
by Nj ! II stoddcri-bn, the lack Of reality IN hs char
ncief the want of adequate motive aud ~ the undercur
innly part oi me sili,tnr ~ ihr human mona p.lf
luy oh, lOus Mr Elliott Barnes hoWrret IL not yet
delineat9r oi ,mi9yef nnI ne rw. 81 human naia1
fantastic Hi new piece win have certain mea'ne X
well set, well dressed. w' arel. enl l. = nnt vithoN
Inherent mrila &c mrlpliamr nnt u Il hmlt ma'e
aunimei mp Notwithstanding Tho alwanio. and ii'ieR
lpss Vigorous uuw shan aiirl the hisi hnsi