New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-14
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
THEODORE AT NfBLO'S.

An English version Of SardOus drama OF
Theodore" was presented last night at Nbios Gar
den for the first time in America, and It was observed
with interest by great multitude Of spectators Inc
French original dates back December 81 1884, when
It was produced at tho Porto St. Martin Theatre under
tho management of NJ Duquesnel with Sara Bernhards
as its heroine. "TheodOra written expressly FOR
Mile Bcrnhard and the famous Fren CHI actress has pre-
scented 1t in London well In Paris. aud she VIII
offer 1t In New-York whom she hero next spring TO
fill an engagement at the Star Theatre II Is very
long piece, and portions OF 1t are extremely du put
1t contains several dramatic situations and
IN depicting tho semi opuencs and the brawny'
seething physical vitality OF predominant hlo under
the old Eastern empire gives expression to the csrnai
voluptuous spirit which Is latent IN all human society
and continually struggling against the curbs OF reii9-
ion, morality and oil other soenng and sweetenlng 10
nuences OF purer aud wiser civilization.
The scene Is laid In tho time Of the Emperor Justnian
H. who, the reader Of Gibbon is aware. was famous
for cruelty and dobauchery and who was murdered In
I'll. This choice OF place, Time persons
and adjuncts, gives occasion for an exceedingly
picturesque stsge-settlng and for magniacenee OF
scenes and pageans in the treatment OF the play Tho
story is doriferous OF lust. filth and carnage Tho
central theme is tho safety Of tho Empress 1heodora
wife OF Jstinidn, who from being lewd performer 10
q circus has risen to be the joint ruler OF an empire
and who 10 shown weary OF domestic restraints and
court shackles and participants in an amatory In
lover Andreas. ana to her own death by tho hdeous
process OF stranguatior. Tho chet persons I'M
plicated In the pece ara unlovey ana
unsavory. while tho subsidiaries, ssi6e irom
atrocty OF conduct, arc commonplace. The dramatic
appeal is made to sympathy with . beautiful, nerce
feline woman who hates her cruel husband but pas
sionacey and sincerely loves another man. Entwined
with this there another appeal to sympathy with the
spirit of against tyrannicai government Andreds
Is . patriot, and one OF those patriots who talk He
particularly RACES against the Empress Theodore, not
knowing that She under the name OF Ayra. is his own
mistress One Of the strongest scenes in the piece Is
that Of colloquy between these lovers. in which
Andreas deuounces Theodore, and says such brutal
words about her that Myrta Is at last stung
into defence OF the Empress from which
she lapses into Q siren-lke beguilement OF
abe belicose rebel. Another strong scene
ensues upon tho capture of one Of the comrades OF
Andreds, IN attempt to assassnate JuSttRfd This
poor wretch by far tho nobest person In the whole
viii be tortured mi he bstrays friend begs death at
the hands or 1heodord and thereupon this expeditions
csngst suddenly " oa. her Sill another pow
erfu scene Is In which Theodora standing st bay,
pours tho vocal fury OF revolt upon her imperial
husband and overwhelms him with the vgor and tumut
OF her petuOus spirit In the second act Of the drama
the royal crcusgr makes furtve visit to the hippo
drome this incident gves for the display
OF cage OF wild beasts, and Of leopard-like womans
morseless feeling shadowed forth by Shakes
pcare his Cleopatra and finely expressed by William
".
especially strong with horrOrslnce 10 that
TheOdOrd seized and strangled while caressing the
dead BODY Of her lover the curtain falling just as tho
execution 10 to be accomplished
perneveI that the story OF Thcodor when Invested
embellishments. trite In its hackneysi simplicity An
unfaitnful wife, engaged In anat0ry intrigue with
deceived lover is detected by Jealous husband, who
saughters both her paramount and herself This story
mas been told many times The novelty must or course
be sought In the treatment The essential strength OF
this play will he found IN character and incidnnt but
play goers remember Gennaro and Lucrtzd Borgd
are not likely be startled by freshness in the theme
The character OF The0dora presents an appalling.
but doubtless truthful and certainly subtle and wise
study OF sensual depravity in woman. made aurDg by
beauty, respectable by courage. and mournfo, almost
pathetic by sincerity OF love- and by the final retribu-
live sufferngs OF tragic fate. Sara Bernhard 10
wonderfully fine In certain situations OF this piece
Last night Theodore undertaken by an mex
perenced Miss Lillian Ocott who looked well In
her attire and struggled bravey with over
wheming difficulties. The first presentation In the
United states OF a drama 80 famous ~ Theodora Is.
of course an important dramatic Undertaking. lt mas
been accomplished by giving the piece rs spectacle
Tie house was well filed and the play kindly received