National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-09-19
BEFORE THE FooTL1eurs.

Poor Ada Gray has been rather hardly dealt
with this week. EAST Lynne" is ono ofthe
most dismal dramas that was ever put upon
the stage, and II requires the genius ofa wo-
man like the late Lucille Western to make 1t Mt
all endurable. Miss Western raised the foolish
Lady Isabel into On ideal character, while her
forceful and natural acting rs Mme. Vine,
especially In the death scene Of tho child and
in her own death scene, commanded admird-
tlon. Yet even with her rendition II was
play Of weeps, and think the best description
ever heard oft was by q little girl who
when she came home from the matinee, said
"Oh, mamma, had such q splendid time.
cried from the time went in until the play
was over" The mantle of Lucille Western
did not fall upon Miss Ada Gray's shoulders
even II the latter does play EAST Lynne" for
she hGsncither beauty norgcnius, both of which
Miss Western possessed. Still, Miss Gray has
been successful in some cities, and has made
money with the dramatlzation OF Mrs Henry
Woods story.
She evidently feels that East Lynne" will
mo- draw much longer, md is seeking for a
new play in which her peculiar talents will
have full play. This probably induced her to
accept "Hortense," which had Its first repro
sentation on any stage at Albaugh's on Thurs
u
ability to write good play with tho power to
properly interpretive creations of Others This
play has a good and interesting plot and some
very forclble situations. There Is a good deal
of sentiment in the dialogue, much Of which
Is strained to make way for the sentences
about wifely duty, noble trust, and all that sort
OF thing which is supposed to catch the up
plause; but there is some good work, and the
play, by judiclous reconstruction can be made
good one. The last act was surprise I'm that
where 1t should have been strong, II was tame
and weak. The obligng sheriff, who feels that
he must arrest some ono for murder, gets 50
puzzled and mixed Us TO tho proper culprlt that
he is really In danger OF cheating the law, for
though he tells IIortenso she must go with him
no one believes that she WILL when he Is re.
lieved from his dilemma by the confession Of
the real murderer and then, for the third time,
he says, 'You are my prisoner" This act could
could be made very effective with more action
and less talk, and the author. probably, By this
time has seen the weakness Of the picco,
and will make the necessary Improvements.
-.
With all Its imperfections, 'Hortenso'' Is
preferable to Fast Lynne" and afler It shall
be rearrangcd and tho company become better
acquainted with their parts It may prove
the author, need not feel discouraged because
his piece don't achieve an instantaneous sue.
cess. BARLEY Campbell, who is now the most
successful OF American paywrlghts, worked
for years to obtain recognition, which he felt
was his due. They say he used to walk up and
down The smoky streets of Pittsburg, with q
roll OF manuscript under each arm, hunting
for manager who would listen TO his plays
Now ho can snap his fingers at the world, or at
least he thinks he can.
-
Speaking of Barley Campbell, q friend of
mine who had just returned from New York
told me that the impression there Is that tho
tall young dramatlst has, In western parlance,
bit off more than he can chew" this season.
He has so many companies on his hands that
1t is extremely unlikely that all will succeed,
and If disaster should should befnll any num-
Der of them IL would make n big hole in his
bank accounts. I admire Bartley's energy and
pluck, and hope he will not only keep what
money he has already made, but add to his
stock of ducats during the present season,
~
"Clio," which is to be the attraction at Al
baueh's next week, Is said to be tho best effort
in the spectacular line that Campbell has
made 1t will introduce an effective ballet,
with lovely and graceful prcmieres and at
trnctiye coryphees, and a novelty in the way
OF scenic and mechanical effects in the shape
OF an earthquake, which is said to be wonder
fully realistic. This straining after novel
effects by man who started out with so good
drama as my Partner reminds me of a
speech made by the late L. l.. Davenport at
Wallis Opera House several years ago. He and
Jas. W. Wallack had been playing a round OF
those characters in which both were unslir.
passed, to very poor houses while the sprightly
Lolita was crowdng the National Theater. on
Friday night which, though announced rs
benefit, was about the same, so far as the re.
ceipts were concerned,as the nights which had
preceded it, Mr.. Davenport was called before
the curtain, and speech demanded. He said
that he and Mr. Walack had endeavorcd to
present the legitimate drama, but he was sat
isfed some innovation was necessary, so that
in their next engagement Mr. Wallack would
sing comic song as Macbeth, whilo he
would introduce banjo solo into the part oil
| Sir Giles Ovorrcach. JOHN MIDWAY.