New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-12
"1HE KAFFIR DIAMOND

As the curtain fell on each act Of The Kaflr Dia
mond,7 at the Broadway Theatre last evening there
was long continued and earnest applause from tho
audience which filed every part OF this spacious
house. Recalls frequent and hearty. and afer
the third act Louis Adrch uttered a few modest
words Of thanks, and the compiler OF the play, Ed
ward J. swartz, of Philadelphia, in response to re-
peaed demands, made a brief speech of acknoweds'
ment from one OF the boxes. 1t was peasans
and prosperous first night The scenery was
elaborate, extensive and handsome. The representa-
ton OF tho gloomy ard hideous recesses of great
African swamp, called The South Devil" was re-
markedly effective, and Henry F.. Hoyt the scene
painter, was summoned upon the stage by the lively
tokens OF admiration. Mr.. Allrich acted the chief
part that OF ruined, forlorn and desperate man,
with all tho rugged strength of which he is master,
and was much commended. Altogether The kahc
Diamond" had warm and sympathetic welcome.
But It has enduring merit.
1t concerns itself chiefly with tho experiences and
fortunes of a South African farmer, Robert Douglas;
OF his wife Mlccnt, formerly united by the loose and
ties of scotch marriage with Colonel Rch'
ard Grantey, of the British Army of John Rodney,
known in the days of his dissipation and degradation II
Africa as shoulders, whose life has been wrecked
by the fight from his home of his Wife since dead OF
Rodneys daughter Alice, betiothed to Water Dousas
of Robert. Rodney believes that Colonel Granlg
IS the scoundrcl who brought dishonor and misery upo
his home, and puisues him with inplaeaole fury o.
revenge. In reality the Colonel was thr bcneiaci9f
good counsellor and friend OF the wife ana me pv
tcctOr of her daughter Alice. Robert douglas .
Jealous, cruel vindictive man. who uniustly suspects
his wife, Mlliccn of fahessncss with Colonel Hfslt
ley. and succeeds in cntappiug her AT the Coloncs
headquarters. Alice nobly tax the suspected woman:
place, thus bringing down upon herself the wlaia "
Robert Douglas VINO supposcs that she Is COl9ne
Grantlcys mistress Alice is also accused OF slcslts
an enormously valuable diamond which IS In Dou-ss
POSSESSION and ciicumSi antal evidence j. stphsl
against her. shoulders lures Grantlcy mo !no
deadly swamp where his victim Is u die IRON u2
place. But the wicked and detcstahle Robert D0uSs
Is OPPORTUNITY shot IN the Boer war Rooney esy,'sy
covers Just in the nick of time that Colonel 1rah'
had been the good angel Of his wife ana , OF ~
daughter, and rushing back to the swamp dei'ss 81
him Alice's innocence shines forth clearer than ~
at MONDAY, and her goodness Is duly n~uc.
There subordinate characters, but uey s'
only sawdus for padding. ,v
The conspicuous defects Of the play are us po'efJ
of invention, lack OF ingenuity in incident wan. IN.
skill In construction and dulness OF dialogue Va
authors vocabulary IS limited. and the talh oissS
people is dead level Of commonplace. MOI . nSa
Of Wit not touch OF humor. 4 wooden irish y"
geant tries 10 make some fun, but does n9t sa'us
word OF do thing that is really laughaoie sSt
might a. we'll be craven image But after ue n.s.
act. which until close TO IT'S conclusion, Is "es.
waste of profess pate. there is plenty OF az 49,.
situation crowds the heels of situation, cohR,s
lions occur with startling frequency, and CLIMAX
on climax. All the material Is worn TO shreus 80,
II has been used In way TO bring down me eurA
each act with rattle and bang AND an MY W M
the pay moves the vigorous, vital personally Va
Aldrlch, stirring flame from the dun embcfs PIss
life and movement and impulse into the dry "a ~ 4
any one could save such play he is the man. me ISs
taton of his art are well known lie uses u,s ~ "a
and big strcaks of colors. His effects are orpan a.
strong No microscopic lines and touches lus "a. "a
Although he may lack dellcacy and may never re-
tho clear fields OF upper air. he Is away im q
make himself felt by those who see ana near n,n xa
than The Kaiir Diamond The supporting e'"
p2ny Is not strong.