New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-16
THE DR1MA-NUSIG
WALLLACKs THEATRE-HOyE.


Mr.. RJbcrtsOnS delicate comedy OF "Uomos
was revived last night at Waack's Theatre with II,
Waack In the character Of COioHe White ana with NJ
Sophie Eyre IN tho character OF Mrs. PHcLIscE and :,
was received With uncommon favor by an uudemou.ra
tive but apprcciatve audience. This piece It Will be re-
membcred. written for MI Jefferson. but tina,
comedian did not fancy it FOR his own Use and 40 4,
presently fell INTO The hands OF Mr. sothern In England
and Of Mr.. Wal!ack ia America The latter
! named 1t Hone" It has often been seen nc
! local playgoers and Is familiar TO them liza
all tho works OF IT'S closely ob,eryant. KIND.
hearted, slightly satirca yet deeply saldeneI antor
1t paints the characters and manners OF actual Fnxb
life. truthfuy, yet with almost ideal touch IL usc,
suggestion and contrast with delightful skill and It /,
written in terse, pure aud pointed EnEisn. Tho
dramatist worked upon the basis OF French original
but he contributed much that his own Tho atmOs.
phere, the fine feeling and the exquisite style possess
the unmisaklble quality Of his individual mind.
Robertson writer who IN especial sense. felt
the Influence OF Thackeray. lie did not iced. display
either tho lion-hearted nanncss. the Infinite tender
charity, the deep. rich humor. the afllurnt
and superb literary skill OF that great author;
but he one OF those writer's who "look quite
through the deeds OF mem; he the contrasts that
exist human life he felt the pathos Of them; he
with conscience. purpose feeling TASTE and Dau.
uful precision, and in every Of his play, he gave his
auditors something that might well cngrOss their serou,
thoughts. In IIome" he has truthfuly AID dccateIy
portrayed the character OF adventurous declining
woman, in whom. however, the original attributes
Of goodness not destroyed. she Is repre-.
scented schemins to cntrap am,ao.e.
confding, rather weak-mntcd old gentleman
into a marriage with herself, which to him
night prove injurious and which certainly provo
socially dsCredable. In this en- ledyOr she opposed
and thwar,ed by his sOu-an experienced maA Of Tho
world, who has lived In Am rca ami who retdrns As
English to fnd bis father IN the tolls OF this al
ventures, and to release HIM from hs peril The tAano
il. obviously, simple; /, Mr. RpbcTttons fine jr-at.
urut OF It that makes the play. Mr. Wa3ck, likewise
has added dI amatlc touches to the O1Elud. work
The revival last night chiefly interesting from ths
fact hat 1t presented Mss sophie Eyre 10 = caltc,er
well htcd to her physical attributes and professional
abilities MS Ptachbect must De handsome ana win.
mag; she must suggest mature and somewhat tJTm-
able character; sac must indicate that condition self
ppise and Of latent sadness which results only from
ar-lce In her mauncIn-tOr these are as-uucu; Jacr3
subtle distinction between attributes which
character and are 70 hum IA ing what fa:rmre j. 10
. flower It VIII be observed that hrs Phchbsct Is not
cii- 'i"t' tIe I'I' an" c>''l % 1T NvrI'"'c anu
hrr fate would thus De sacrificed. MS Eyre
ID uncommon advantage III ms Pef,oI'Lance NJ ""-
lack, II J. hee' IS 10 remark lhds IN t9"'t" h"hf
personality to which he Is easily equal, aud which Do
represents Aim.y srhceiuy win 1ohSAtil ohshaaaS
ct~e, ana Win an uu'tJOhe OF strong ice.hS'
The passages OF CONFLICT between these TWO
performers we're given with impressive earnest,
ness and artistic felicity Al the hnal
exit Of the discounted woman the effect that OF deep
sOeunity. Few thin-s more sigDic mt Oh In to
spectacle Of distorted wasted mop ie,3y perverted
life, wuch perhaps would right Itself If IL could, lat
which the adverse influences OF me world seem % no
driving further ana further aStIdy Mss LJrr "s 70
cal ed uuon thu scene with .ectei applause. Mr. joan
Gilbert gave ms perfectly balanced !mprr-onaton
OF The diSule! gentle, somewhat h0lpual hn eh,l. "
rlght-iuudrd English gentleman, III. Do,Teon. 1ue
cas-; included Mss Helen Russell, a. L.cg DoniS,";
Miss Kate Bartlett as D9ra; .ir Henry EDWARDS ~
CaDt0iD M9HVuDr; and Mr. Ivan shirley, as Bc'J
thompson" The tasteful revival Of Home and he tx
rrtnt performance Of IL may well Ice recorded IS WORTHY
OF the best days or " dll3ch', Theatre.