New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-07
THE DRAMA---MUSIC.
THE NEW NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


conditions must of be regarded as an nryr,,n
public event Such institution. should IL pre.rs.
Will afford honorable employment many perssns a,s
will exert educational influence In o.,
suits. The stage H. power upon the mind O, the .o
munity and the whole public Ia concerned TO knog th.
theatres are managed by persons capable dIrcstp,
this power Alright, and wisnfu that the stage shall ~
pure, Intellectual. wholesome. and refined. The Va.
Lyoeum Theatre, which was brilliantly opened ls,s
night, has started with proclamation full OF yoldar
PROMISE and. certainly 1t bids fair to Justify at no d.
tant day. its claim to rank with the leading heatre ~
the age Everything about the building handsome And
tasteful. The various mechanic arts have been e,,
poyed with excellent results Much might be said ana
no doubt from time to time will be said about IA.
spacious avenues Of mgess and egress the commodios
arrangement OF seats, the admirable facilities for
ventilation, tho soft and pleasant lights the luxurious
upholstery. the elaborate, costly and often beautiful
decoratons-all combining IN general result OF magna-
cence and comfort All these attributes however are
expected in theatre Of the frat class built no wadaysn
great and wealthy metropolis They are essential 10
success but 1t should be that any specu
ator who embarks in theatrical business with suf
hcent capital. would make point OF nring these an
planes Much stress has been laid upon these matters
during the progress OF preparation at the Lyceam
Theatre, and 1t may with perfect truth, be said that
alike In its auditorium, and beneath and around ia
stage this is already Of the best appointed theatres
for true and lasting Unless the work thash
done upon the stage freignted with power and mada
potent with grace and charm, handsome playhouse will
avail but litte This truth; but the state
ment Of It becomes appropriate whenever much en-
phass is laid upon the trappings and the suits of art
Fortunately In the MANAGEMENT OF tho Lyceum Theatrs
there element which ustIes eager anticipated
OF true dramatic and literary excellence With refer.
TO Mr. Wesley Sisson. who stands forward the
director OF this theatre the public has no knowledge
and OF him 1t may be said as Cassias says OF young
antony that" the posture Of his blows is yet unknown"
long Mr. Steele Mackaye is associated tho
fortunes OF the New Lyeeum it will be served with su-
ard resolute devotion to high ideals Of art This
present the chief sugury of Its useful and brilliant
future. 1t Mr.. Mackaye who invented and estab-
ished almost all that best the Madison square
Theatre, and 1t is to the same inventive indomtabs
and perhaps somewhat visionary tut orginaye and
thusastc mind that this theatre tho Lyceun. owes
its existence and Its many merits.
1t was opened last night with q play from Nh.
Mackayes PEN To this only passing consideration
just be accorded. But there need be hesta-
in saying that the piece contains strong pathetic
and significant plot, several characters essentially
citing suspense and almost tragic force and Thoughtful
ard affecting study Of human nature The subject Is not
Mr. Mackaye has told over again the story OF The
Forgemaster." He has told It, however In way OF his
own The novelty of his piece resides in his invention
and OF motives in his arrangement OF Incidents aud
in his language. lie makes the marry from
pque bat he contrves free her lover from eprOsch
and he then provides surprising scene,-iinplicatng
herself her newlywedded husband her discarded lover,
and her female frfend,-which eliminates in what ap
pears to be fatal accident and terminates in her partial
arrangements These incidents occupy the first half
the play the other nalf being devoted to delicate por
ray Of her return TO reason OF the growth or love 30.
tween the husband aud wife, Of still another amaory
episode, between the discarded lover aud the comedy
lady 1t not be in nature that lovers can par Oh In
the convenient manner that is intimaied in Mr. Mao
81 es s s s Oa that Ss
speak positively upon such point. Dakolar'
Is necessarily interesting and all its accessories are
picturesque 1t was acted with uncommon smoothneS;
II followed with interest; and IL was received with
frequent applause. The ingenious use OF tne curtains
before the play began ha particularly pleas ng effect
These curtains move ateray disclosing the band seated
disappears with the musicians upon It, and the stage
revealed. There are but few Important characters In
Miss sadie Martinez, Mr.. J. Mason present thu
chief parts DaOLar is this authors favorte idealne
remarkable IN ali the relations OF life for the courage and
probity of bis conduct: This part was ably represented
Allen. In the earlier scenes she is proud and brant
but after the climax Of act second she falls into the pg
the elimination she has to represent condition OF dazd
and PIE sa MISS M Aens
natural sensibity. Upon the details OF the representa-
veaed more than beginner who destined public
favor Miss s. blanche Gray, young actress from
Louisville made her first appearance, and pleased By
personal dignity and beauty. refinement OF manner. and
discreet we'll balanced treatment OF minor incidents and
likewise made this occasion, and observed with
interest Force of character sprghtly temperament
and various accomplishments will doubtless win for this
aspirant useful place In the dramatic profession.
Miss Mary Saunders also showed talent aud promise.
There was much applause f9r scene in which certain
fsher-women are displayed. with dance aud music.
upon the moon-it shore OF Brittany Mr. Steele Mac
kaye called before the curtain and his address to the
public expressed a sincere ambition IN earnest woids
Dakoar is not great play nor will u confer upon ~
author the laurels OF marked originality; but In the
opening OF the New Lyceum Theatre Mr.: Mackaye has
before the NewYork public strong domestic piece
acted and that way he reenters the dramatic field
good hope of continued prosperity and good reason
to be satisfied with the first step in field Of action