New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-21
THE DRAMA--MUSIC
THE NEW PLAY AT WALLACKs
A new play bearing tho title Of" DAbbc CONSTANT

new play bearing tho titie OF LSDpc Constantine
was presented last night at Waliacks Theatre. It
comes from French original, made by Messrs. Hector
Cremieux and Pierre Do Courcee upon the basis
OF novel by NJ Halcvy. IL has been adapted to tho
American stage by Clinton Stuart, an adro, consc-
entous and graceful st In work Of this description
1t was followed with sympathetic interest by Bumer
Gus and brilliant audience In spirit characters and
incidents this now piece Is much stronger than 1t il
In plot action dramatic Significance but its senti
ment delicate its treatment of tho passion OF love
Is sweet and pure Its art Is refined and Intellectual
and 1t deals fairly and sensbly with human nature
The spectator Is not required to believe that people
necessarily virtuous because they poor
necessarily vicious because they rich. Liberty
of selection has been exercised in favor Of wholesome
and pleasing types Of humanity and not las the usual
French custom Isl in favor OF loathsome persons
a nasty theme No single situation OF much strength
has been devised; but natural, probable and touch
Ing little story OF actual life has been told with SIN
cere feeling and with ripple of movement, nces-
SAINT and evenly sustained Such pieces never hit the
fancy Of the mob and those selfdeludng or muddle-
headed observers who think that dramatic literature,
or literature Of any Sort IS authentic only when APP
proved by the multitude must Of necessity reject this
gracious work. "EAbbe CONSTANTLY" Will
never please the coarse herd that after Tho
CorsaIr' outlaws at tho incredible nanty of Check
ar
The chief figure in THIS piece is liable Constantn,
q French Roman Catholic priest, sweet tempered,
bengnant, noble minded old gentleman who possesses
characteristics kindred with those Of the Vicar OF
Wakefield, Parson Adams, Sir Roger de COverey, and
Jesse Rural Unlike tho most Of Catholic clergymen
In actual life, this priest presents neither a furtlve
manner nor aspect Of ndrectIon-but Is open, like
the sunshine and straightforward, like the day No
impulse OF his heart is selfish and no purpose OF his
mind IS crafty He lives for Others-as a minister
of God ought to do, and as every man does who pos
sesses wisdom. The play which Is simply dome>
drama has n a
quarrel first In its strife and hen in It's rectifeaton,
and to depict the gentle yet pquant Character OF this
old priest accordingly that character IS impressed
cOnvused and compelled into expression by contact
with the sentiment, romance, passion, impetuosity
and folly of two pairs Of young lovers with whom the
worthy man becomes complicated. This purpose has
been accomplished thoroughly we'll for while slender
I'm story, "LAbbe Constantine IS genuine in every
fibre and steadily interesting; and the personality of
the priest is delightful.
Tho text IS fluent and melodous prose, and there
three acts for the telling of the story. The time
the present day and the scene IS L0ngueval pleas
ant village OF France In that village dwells the Abbo
with MS beloved nephew gallant fellow named Jean
Daubray. Near them dwell the mercenary Countess
dc Lavardens aud her Wild son, Count Paul de Lavar-
dens. great estate In the neghborhood Is for sale
and presently it is purchased by Mrs. Scott, rich
American lady, who comes to Longueval and settles
there with her sister, Cynthia an hciress The Coun-
tess cndeavors to make a match between Cynthia and
her son, Paul, but Cynthia has lost her heart to
Jean Daubray, and Paul is transently snitten with
Mrs. Scott Jean Is enamored Of Cynthia, but, being
only poor lieutenant, he considers himself bound
20 conceal his love and to avoid her. Paul, I'm a
furry of tlpsy insolence, utters mpernence toward
the Abhe COnstantin and this Is resented by jean
Hard words lead to blows, and a duel IS arranged
between these young men. The affair comes to tho
knowledge Of the Able, and the good man IS there
upon cast into great perpexity and distress. There
flo at Inf
priest and the boy. Tho Able find no refuge save
IN prayer. Cynthia finds him praying and gradually
entces from him the secret of the duel and then these
two set forth in night and storm TO learn the result
of encounter which BODIES much to them both,
and which neither OF them can prevent. Here the
tones becomes serlocomlc. Jean has dis
armed Paul, and neither Is hurt. Tho
march Of jeans regiment IS a eliminating
incident, and of Cynhia's sultors paul being
the other IS temporarily removed Two acts Of tho
piece have displayed the characters, have depicted
truthful and charming in French life and have
thus far advanced the action. The rest Is recOnclia
ton. Jean returns, TO mature plan for his own moro
effectual Punishment. Paul shows himself to be a
gentleman and a better fellow than he supposed
to be for he warns Cynthia that her happiness Is
endangered and bids her to defend It. The Able, who
was before distressed, is now much mystifed Jean
confesses to him his love for Cynthia, and his honor
able resolve to depart but the lady herself settles
the affair by confcssing her reciprocal affection and
dismlsslng all the scrupes equally of the sensitive
soldier and the high minded priest. Over this tan
gle of sentiment the arch spirit of the American lady,
Mrs. scott, casts glamor of vivacity and kindness.
One OF her schemes is to surprise the venerable priest
with the gift Of an organ for his chapel and this Is
made tributary to pleasant effect at the close Of
the drama
In tho last analysis of this play IT, of course, be-
comes apparent that the charm OF IL consists In a
tender and touching beauty of contrast between wise
noble, virtuous, chasened age and ardent impulslve
happy, tUmuuous youth. No contrast afforded in
human experience is more significant Longfeow
somewhere touches upon this point in his customary
sweet way, saying that While youth does not UNDER
stand the old know what the young feel becau
they havo been young themselves. 1t IS all In that
The Abbe COnstantn, aged and venerable priest
has the heart to understand tho heart OF youth
know the rapture the glory and the grief Of youthful
love that docs not dare to hope This part is played by
John Gilbert, and It becomes under his noble aud
simple treatment the perfect image OF
tender bengnity. 1t is with Characters
which implicate salient qualities of strength and
tricty that the name and memory of John Gilbert
will always be Observation-Disclosures such as Old
Dornton, Sir Robert Bramble, Sir Sampson Legend,
Sir Anthony Absolute, Sir Peter Tcaze, Kit Cosey
and Lord ogebey lie Is actor Of mind, character
manners, strong emotions, graphic traits, cholerIo
passion and rich humOr; not merely def representa-
two OF sweet paerna feeling and benevolent decrep
tude An actor whose range Includes Mr.. Hardcas-
tie, Lord Duberly, Polonius, Master Walter and
justice Greedy must not be supposed
incapable Of transcendng the narrow limit of Jesse
Rural and DR.. Sutclife. II seems to have crossed
the mind OF somebody, in the management OF
Waacks Theatre. that, possessing the best actor Of
old men, new living Il might be well to place him.
once In while, In evidence The Able Constantine
is good beginning; but 1t shows Mr. Gilbert In but
aspect OF his temperament and talents and that
by no moaDs the most important the )st brilllan,
In the scene of the struggle between religious feeling
and the sense of worldly honorthe turmoil of startled
affection, pious duty, human impulse, and helpless
submsston-this superb artist put forth his power
with splendid hrmness and pathetic effect At every
point efficient he WAS here supreme The embodtment