Morning journal and courier., 1885-11-25
Entertainments.


 Frank Mayo, whose 'tDavy Crockett" is almost as familiar to old theater-goers as Jefferson's s'Rip Van Wrinkle" appeared at Carll's Opera House last evening in 8 bran new play collaborated by himself and John G. Wilson entitled "Nordeck"
 The piece is founded on Werner's novel of "Vineta." The events are supposed to have transpired one hundred years ago in the an cient Kingdom of Poland ere that country lost her liberty and succumbed to the tyran- nical rule of the Gear of all the Russias. :" The story concerns the family of the Princess Zulieski, an intriguing Polish noble woman, the mother of two sons, Waldemar and Leo. The former, the issue of Der first mar riage, she despises quite thoroughly as she idolizes the latter. Reared by his uncle,- bluff yet good-hearted plebean, Waldemar is devoid of culture or refinement and his uncouth bearing is perpetual eyesofe to his aristocratic mere. While on visit to the latter, who is endeavoring to acquire his es- tate, he meets the Countess Wanda, of whom he becomes passionately enamored His wild nature yields to her benign influence, but on learning that she is already betrothed to his brother leaves his home to acquire that learn ing and polish that distinguish his more for tunate half brother. After lapse of years he returns cultivated gentleman. He be- came concerned in suppressing insurrec- tion of the people instigated by his mother and after series of exciting events, during which his life is threat ened, learns of Lso's death, who had been plotting for his own. The Princess, perceiving in Waldemar those qualities which she had never dreamed of his possessing, acquires true maternal af- lection for him, and the curtain falls as to Waldemar is disclosed the fact that his love for Wanda is reciproeated
 This is in brief the story of the best melo- drama thus far presented here this season. The situations are natural and lack the de- fects so common to modern productions of this character, namely, strained effect. They graduate one into the other with excellent continuity and the climaxes are telling and dramatic, especially the fnales of acts sec ond, third and fourth. The dialogue is terse and interspersed with bits of sentiment and truisms hardly to be found in plays far more pretentious.
 Frank Mayo as Waldemar Nordeck gave a manly and picturesque rendering of role which fits him we'll. The cool, executing, determined gentleman in the later acts con wasted strongly with the impetuous, self trilled barbarian in the earlier, and his ina pressive bearing and correct elocution gave him the admiration of pleased audience. He has play and role in which he is des- tined to repeat his former successes.
 His support was exceptionally good. Kath- ryn Kidder, who played the part of Wanda, is a new face to New Haveners and in view of the fact that she has been on the stage but eight months, her success is most marked. Her impersonation was artistic and thorough and manifested the fact that she is no mean acquisition to the stage. Her manner is occasionally stiff, but this defect will doubtless be cured by time. A little more range of tone in the heavier passages will a1so add to the finish of her otherwise excellent performance.
 Eunice Wilmot played the part of the Princess with good taste. The Tigidness of the mother stood in bold contrast to the fervor of the patriot, and in the scene with her son was admirable.
 Fabian, the simple professor, was reasona- ply well done by " A. M!I,r!dock, yet he ly real comedy role in the play.
 J. N Taylor was effective as Witold, the uncle, and was heartily applauded
 E. F. Mayo took the part of Prince Leo commendably, and Edwin Frank that of Sadislaw. A large audience should be pres ent this evening when the play will be re peated.
 AMERICAN THEATER.
 II 4 -S .