New-York tribune., 1885-03-06
THE DRAMA---MUSlC.
A NIGHT OFF.

ru s.;..l cnmeay with this title, that has
.,s,neol Inv Mr. Daily. at his theatre. is work that
oannot readily DO described; for 1t exceedinsiy in
e,s in FORM and It Is made mp OF scores OF nciaens
which, though they amuse whiio tnoy arc pAS."e, a
u.ve 10 tho memory. The victorious elements OF the
,ec are Its eccentric characters and It's comca STU
ssionsthe latter being and being dispiayeo
with sprightly rapidity. The scene IS cohcgo .o"
here lives learned old Professor. whose househou III
s,udes good formidable wife, two daughters' uno
Of whom is married, and vivocous househao' in0
story twists three strands Of single co,u
Tho Professor ia the author OF tragedy, wr''on
a, MA vouth entitled "The Beautiful eaphie
and I'm the abseuce OF his wife. he makes thc hcqun
ance OF an tuerant theatrical manager u 49,. .no
niles variety by whom he Is induced 10 permit i'
tion Tho Professors married daughter is soe"n"'
sentimental beauty, and having fonhh' III "o'oi'y
pIxa tho statement that every bride would leave her
husband at the altar II only she were acquainted WIN
tho actual history OF his past lfe this lady is leu 10
tease her husband with pertnacios inquiry aDou. us
sentimental auteeedents whereupou. In order 10 SATISFY
her idle curiosity. he tells her romantic STORY vi
IN, progisacy which had just been impaired 10 hm oy
ne Of his old college friends and he hands over TO he
as evidence. various sentimental reIlc
which that friend hal intrusted to his keeping Inc
Professors unmarried daughter meets the actua neo "
this episode a scapegrace, now reformed ana no" d"
actor in the travelling company that is to perform the
Professors play. these become lovers Along he
three ues thus indicated the movement oil TINS play pro-
cees cntanglng eleven persons In ameslof cross pur
poses of most Factions and aughable description
The Professor. dismayed, at tho outset by his wires
sddcu and return from ono OF the watering
places Is afraid that sho will discover hs folly Inc
correct young husband who has humored his sentmehta
wife by telling absurd story OF prohigaie amour
ia In Consideration when he learns that she has repeated
this yarn TO her mother and that tho old lady Insists on
paying the debts he contracted in the days OF MS
ALLEGED ncontiuence The unmarried daughterleaeer 10
zee the handsome young in the Professors play
In great perplcxity to ways aud means Tor eiuhs
observation and getting TO the theatre Inc reiormoo
scapegrace is pursued by his iond iatner'
from England, who wishes 10 ioisNo
aud reclaim him. These the materials employed
during four acts with generally de skill of treatment
aud with uuvarying vvacity of language. TO make mp
this play 1t would require many wors To rehearse all
its Incidents and the recital of than would he du 10
gee them however is 10 be continually amused ~ might
be wished that old Engshman could he cut out OF
the first act whore he prepostero's rathcr han
comical Thore is a Grabbed tutor in that act also who
seems to promise something but is mover seen again
The adventures OF the torn bank-noe are not pursueu
rs Ear they might be with advantage to the comic s-
feet The invention falls of a little In the last act
Throughout the piece OF course there complete ana
reckless disregard the relation OF probable motive 10
aeouept action in the display OF the characters And
yet. at moments tho interest OF tho piece becomes
Wooing sceno in the third act-charinngy played by Mr.
John Drew and Miss Ada Rehan-all tho whlie Nus
Dream" There is a touch of something very IKE
pahos IN the character OF the cxrayagant ana grand
foaucnt theatrical manager part playea py pit
Charles Leclcrcq admirable vein OF low COMEDY
The percnra semraont o. saea man ano 5ae
manner which, at moments. is almost as touching as
fecon existing between old Professor and his wife,
and fobes of the literary temperament as they are
fily a t6onghtful as well iahghable Impression
The piece requires two 5sy Sss ana Ras Pro
yidsd stage furniture Of uncommon beauty The
boxed liz and are supplied WITH solid pracu-
and miscepeous ornaments Indeed, these rooms are
richer in effect than The actual room; ID many OF sd iae ns m
the distribution of parts aud the performance even on
sTpeeed Was Brilliant with zest and graceful with spon
taney. Mr. John Drew has character that Is gay ele-
Miss Ala Rchan has TO represent an sprgbty
happy girl and she is particularly handsome. buoyant
work MrOtis Skinner told his narrowing story to
the sentimental wife with del deligntu' waggisn ,sn
amabe vanity and the comic Ierplex'y OF NE oin Io
whose great oarnestness the pivot npon which the
whole action turns, and whose execution mas Tue urn
often before now been seen martinez wife AMI the
regulation motberinlaw and no actress could display
this ype of character of truth anu comic
gravity. Miss Virginia Dreher has to express sort Of
poutRg pelanee. and the over-anxioas soiictudc oil
xo@aS t IS easy for her 10 look the part
sod her skin n playing u was effective ana acsrfS @
the conventional English nobleman. and this is
done by him in an agreeable VEN oi graceiu uaueI anu
chuckling good kunor. fresher or more competent
OF arcal comedy has not been seen open
the local stage than is given ny Mr. Days com
pany The play contains much nonsense but with ttic
exception It's droiery amusing and he general effect
OF tits innocent cheerful aud sautary Tie f cast Ii
here recorded:
Justiniap Babbitt, Professor OF A ncsnt His
tory in the Ca8ptOwu Univeiify -.-Js sinc5 ifwis
Harry Dznask. his inaw. Oils skinner
Jack Mulberry, In pursuit OF fortune under
Lord Mulberry IN pursuit Il Jack Charles Fisher
suns ssa anasr snag
Prowi usher at the University ....-..--.-. FEond
Mia Xantippa Rabbit. Professor OF Coniuga
Management tia Pro essors household -
g. IA. Gilbert
Eisbe the youngest imp OF the household Ada Rehan
Angelica Damask. tAs eldest -Virgma Drensr
Susan, the hrassi5st ~ ey ~"
Mana, OF the Danask household. Miss Gordon