New-York tribune., 1885-02-05
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
A PRISONER FoR LIFE.


Under this title a new melO-drama was pra.
sented last night at the Union Square Theatre where n,
was observed with attention, and occasionally An.
Pi"udsd' Dy numerous audience. In character this
piece proved harmonious with the traditions of the sare
on which 1t was set Much done for It, further morn
py the actors concerned in Its and it had
tne advantage OF excellent scenic embellishments Tbs
acting and the scenery in fact found to constu
ts chisr value Its dramatic substance IL exceedingly
thin The stress is laid as IN melodrama 1t should
be, upon situation; and two or three Of
the situations are invested with a
iecng OF anxious suspense the surroundings OF thess
situations, likewise often picturesque There mo
import however, In the story to which they contribute
Illustration, or in the characters which they display
The person who is prisoner for life might been
committed to serve out his entire sentence without
causing the least distress In the public mind while tho
relative who effects his partial succeeds only In
arousing nomentary interest in her ingenuity. Tho
eptre picture OF the family affairs Of these individuals
is complex, irrational and tedious.
1t seems to have been forgotten by the author OF
this piece that human interest In dramatic situation
Is largely dependent upon sympathetic regard for tho
persons who implicated In It, Not the effort
has been made to render the people Of the play appec-
able by the heart even by the fancy. They tls
moro than shadows, designated by names One Of them,
wife to the prisoner and likewise wifc to the villain
nearly could be divDed and, furthermore mother to
the heroine known by three and she equally
lachrymose by either There seventeen persons in
ALL and they cooperate in endevorng tell preposer
Gus tale Of the time OF Louis XIV Their efforts afte
WHILE make it dimy visible that bad Frenchman
ceeded in getting good Frenchman incarcerated for
life in State prison of which he himself the keeper,
and. subsequently In marrying wife Of the person
thus obltersted, and that sixteen years later
after tue daughter OF the prisoner had made q
bold and ingenious but unsuccessful attempt to eject
his The King of France apprised OF these cir
cusances and personally came to the prison ana made
suitable and nnal adjustment OF this much mangied
daughter, and he villain being destroyed. This Wild
fiction, even II viewed fancy, Is spid and tedious
The Union square Theatre has had hard time tnls
render different verdict upon the
prediction; but II manager will pro-
duce weak plays ne leaves no alternative to the Observer
and as DE- johnson wisely remarked, Crtcisin should
give no offence, seeing thIt Judgment Is
not dependent on the WILL" Liberaiity and taste
prevailed IN the mounting of 81 Prisoner for
Le, and of It's incidental scenes that OF the
sye Illusion In this the heroine, dressed IN Inalo
attire, IL encountered and attacked by dumb idiot; III
by destroy Ing her assaa leaves the way clear fUf her
his character and garments and thus TO eject
entrance into her fathers prlson-where this same
dumb idiot had been expected as jailors assistant
TINS part Of the piece much assisted by the sincere, m
passlOned acting OF Miss Maude HARRISON created
favorable Impression upon the house the rest OF waa
melancholy. Mr.. Barnes lmlersonated the prisoner anu
was duly animated ana ROMANTIC, IN Home CftSt0 Gu
terprise for breaking Jail Mr. j. T. Whiting, his enemy,
presented feroclOus ami determined aspect very suit
ube 10 the prosecutor OF Miss Jewett the much
Mr. Parsele unlike all that is known OF Louis XIV.
France; Mr. StoddarL enacted cnuckiing rogue
posed be deserter, who hangs loosely upon the
story and provides few moments or amusement.
Prisoner Life apparently written tor tue sake
OF stage ehcct; IL is Impossible TO understand why
should nave been produced.