New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-14
" SWEET LAVENDER" AT THE LYCEUM
THEATRE

the handsome and cheerful Iyceum Theatre, and Mr.
Frohman presented for the first time IN America MI
Pneros fine comedy Of sweet Lavender" Ire mousse
was crowded, and the play was received with every
mark Of interest and favor BY one OF the most ap
precative audiences that have assembled this season
sweet Lavender is one of the conspicuous hits OF
the wear in London dramatic life. 1t still holds the
stage of Terrys Theatre in the strand where II was
brought out last spring March Oh, and IL bids fair
10 endure for many months more in the English cap
iaI 1t is thoroughly good play strong In character
and dialogue noble and sweet in spirit, interesting III
story: and IL such pieces as Caste and The Two
Poses could find acceptance in America-as certainly
they did-thero should be abundant prosperity mere
for sweet Lavender" 1t is defective only In
certain awkwardness Of construction and slightly
insipid tone the close. But it made last night
most favorable impression and secured a brilliant
success
The fayoTlte membsrs OF Mr.. Frohman's company
were greeted most cordially upon their return 10
town after their travels between san Francisco anu
Boston. The warmth of welcome with Whlch MISS
Georgia Cayvan received was especially marAeu
When the greetings over the spectators seteu III
their seats for evening of enjoyment IheIr sats
faction and pleasure were Increased and mtensinea
a. the play moved on. The company contains SO many
competent actresses and actors that they coud mahe
even a dull drama endurable. But Mr. Pinelos pay
Sweet Lavender is anything but DULL IL Is 81
charming that its long London run is easily under
stood.
Here's hint Of the story Godfrey WeGderburn,
a rich banker has adopted Clement Hale, suscep-
tible Young law student of agreeable presence and
manners who occupies chambers In the Temple win
Dick Phenyl an eccentric old barrisier with sood
heart and many admirable qualities under his brusque
exterior Phenyl is confirmed old bachelor Win
weakness for strong potations, which he keeps some
what In bounds In ponse TO the appeals ana pro
tests of Clement Hale. Wedderburn expects young
hale to marry bis niece, Minnie Gllinhan, gay,
dashing, spirited girl, with whom persistent and
pushing American, Horace Bream, has fallen In love-
Meanwhile the ofheared lawstudent is overcome by
the charms Sweet Lavender, the tender, innocent,
childke daughter Of Ruth Rolf, housekeeper OF the
part of the Temple in which the rooms of Clement
Hale and Dick Phenyl Minnie Gillian is not at all
displeased by Clements alteration OF affection, as she
has taken a fancy the audacIous American, Horace
But Mrs. Gnhllian Mnnie's mether is borrorstrick'n
at the notion of Clements marrying househeepers
daughter and appeals to her brother, Mr. Wedderburn
who demonstrates forcibly with Clement But Glenn
ent is o5durate and prefers his Owy sweetheart Law
eDder TO the rich vivacious and lovely Minnie. Very
poor taste in Clement, the audience thoughtl Just
as WeddeIburn IS casting of Clement with a shilling
comes the news Of the failure Of Wedderburn's bank
In the last act there is much delightful flirting
and buoy ant rcpar,ee between Minnie GEhllian and
Horace Brean who are now both fathoms deep I'm
love. Minnie rejects Horaces proposal but recalls
him to her side by comical giriish DEVICE and all
ends happily, as WeddeIburn consents TO Clements
marriage with Sweet Lavender. In strong scene
between Ruth Rolf and wedderburn the fact Is
brought out that Wedderburn Ruth's lover IN the
country eighteen years before and that Lavender Is
the bankers natural child Dick Phenyl becomes
everybodys good angel Wedderburn's fortunes are re-
stored, and signs OF the approaching weddings Oh
Minnie and Horace and Of Lavender and Clement are
visible the curtain falls upon scene OF general
slss Georgia Cayvan acted the part of Minnie
CIGllian with all the requisite animation dash anu
words of praise even the while they aroused
the envlous admiration Of the women Mss Louise
Lavender SO touching and tender much 10 move the
audience OF the men 10 the cas- n Mr. a,ed St
If written especially to bring out MS pest quanues
and never has his hne ae,oT 5pes he part Of
Horace Dream with easy assurance. delightful com
plsee9cy and naloyed admaon Oh trom Assvrs
spoken Of In Lord Tennysons poem, Maud" AN, and
people, share the Joy you feel in the privilege Oh
henry Miller was painfully .ierhy and uneven as
Clement Hale, and did not make good impression
The other parts were well done. -, ,,.r ..,,o r,.cu
In the chambers of Hale and Phenyl In the Temple
consequently only one set IS required. Ihas was
Ingenious, elaborate and extremely pleasing ID enec"
MORlZ ROSENTHALS FIRST CONCERT.
An audience that crowded stenway Hall mot
wihstanding that the incubus known as the free hSt
had been lifted TO hear the nrst OF the Nosch'hai
Concerts under the direction OF Mr. Edmund C. Stanton
enjoyed an unwonted sensation last night Herr
Rosenthsl came this country practically unheralded
His activities since he began his as concert
performer only few years ago, have been conlhed
almost entirely to Austria and Rum8nia The musical
capitals Of Europe Vienna excepted, are yet 10 hear
him Tbs fact is cited not as bearing on his merits
in any way but simply to show that the extraordinary
IMPRESSION which be created Oh his first appearance
in the American metropolis genuine one, and
not the product OF the kind Of advertising which many
persons are in the habit Of asserting is
the condition precedent 10 success in this country.
An unadorned narration of some Of the circumstances
connected with his reception VIII to indicate
the nature AID the Magnitude Of that success
To NEWCOMERS there is nothing novel In brilliant
pianoforte playing, but 1t fairly be questioned
whether ever before an audience composed OF expert
enced and discriminating music lovers In this city were
stirred 10 such pitch Of excitement as was the case
las night This does not mean that our people have
never heard more artistic playing, but primarily that
they have never been SO amazed ana bewlIuefed IN
Liszt's fantasia on themes from Don Giovanni Herr
EosenthaI fairly intoxicated his listeners ana carried
their Judgment and even their decorum captive by
most astounding display Of technical shn. As he
approaebed The climax Of his technical feat murmur
Of delighted surprise went through the hall In another
moment scores of people began swaylng from side
to side; old concert-goefs' who prob
ably never thought that they could De
SO worried upon ngdged 1h' a,die opet
some of the musicians In the back rows OF the
orchestra rose TO their feet 10 catch sight Of the
player and thus the enthusiasm grew un'ii IL Droke
down all barriers, and more than score oi measures
before the conclusion of the music was eSehed tho
applause burst forth and overwhelmed the tones Oh
the piano forte Herr Rosentbal --~ds no fnreign