The Sunday herald., 1886-11-28

son Square Theatre. II Is Just possible that this ln
cdent suggested to MIR. Palmer the Inauguration Of
the special and seml-occasional matinecs for the
production OF new plays for authors. The frst one
given was on last Thursday for the benent OF Mr..
William Dean ilowells's play ot"A Forgone Conclu-
son." Some Of the scenes, set vs. they were for
only this occasion, were beautiful ever seen In
this country, and demonstrated the great resources
Of the Madison Square Theatre Tho cast, too, was
an admirable one; and had the play been less intel
lectua and moro dramatic the success would have
been very great But tho MAY Is not good acting
play. II demands too much thought and intelligence
In an audience, and does not excite Its Sympathy.
Either the demand or the omission is fatsl In dra
matte construction, and when they are combinejk
as IN this case, lessen the chances OF popular sue
cess. I suggested the defects TO Mr. Iiowells and
Mr. Joseph w. Harper OF Harper n Brothers, dur.
ing the performance, but l doubt II either agreed
with me then. Nevertheless, Mr.. Howeil's playwas
an intellectual success, II mol a popular One. MI.
Alexander Salvni, as an italian Priest created all
the sympathy any audience could feel for one OF his
calling, madly In love- Agcnune hit OF the perform
ancc was made by very young actress, Miss May
Robson, In the part OF very old woman, described
In the text as old and dccrcpt. She had but eight
lines to speak, and yet by their effective delivery
and her wonderful makeup she excited the audi
ence to recall. Mr.. Palmer, the manager. told me
afterward that II was "a most remarkable makeup
Mr.. Howes, after the performance, asked to be IN
troduced TO the young lady, and waited until she had
changed her costume for her street dress. Then he
declared he could not believe II was the same person
he had seen In the character.
l understand, though not from MIR. Palmer him
sell, that the conditions on which he produces plays
for authors at these "authors matinees" are about
fnllOwe. In wi nnt mi s, vx,,ta
which he does not personally approve. 1.-The decides
to produce 1t on trial he Ia to have the selection Of
the cast from his own company, or otherwise, as he
chooses, or he may select some persons from his
company and specially engage others not of his
company. The scenery and costumes, music, ana
theatre he supplies, as indeed he does the company
also, at his own expense. He takes all the receipts
at the door, as he takes all the risks. He may play
the piece second or third time, II the first trial he
not satisfactory. II, after the trial, the author
wishes to dispose Of 1t or TO produce 1t fer run, MIR.
Palmer Is to have the refusal of It on the terms
offered by the highest bidder. These seem reason.
able enough MIR. Palmer ought to have great
deal OF matter submitted to him, some OF It, posi-
bly,, good material for acting plays.
The benefit on Monday night for the Roman Cath
Ollie orphan Asylum, ,goitenupby Augus,in Daly was
the biggest affair OF the Kind ever here, with
the exception OF the benent given In the same house
metropolitan Opera IIouse) TO Mr. Henry E. Abbey.
There were two performances, afternoon and even.
ing 1t rained in torrents yet at both performances
the immense building was filled, and thousands who
had purchased tickets were unable to get inside the
building, and had TO go away unsatisned, except
that they had the consciousness OF having paid thei
dollar for Sweet Charity's sake. There were no re
served seats, and the first to arrive got the best
Over II 200 lollar.ckpts were sold, md tho I'M q,
netted 10000 more There were twenty.oue dlstlnc
features on the bill, and only one of the volunteer
actors failed TO appear at the moment set down fol
him In the bill.
| Rosina Volkes has not yet appeared with her com
pany here, but may next Monday, though 1 all
| sorry to say that her doctor has warned her tina
| she must never attempt again the graceful an,
entlcing dances with which she formerly enlivenet
| her performances. WILLIAM L. q. SmANKs.