The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13
Special Correspondence of The Appeal.

Special Correspondence Of The Appeal
NEW YoRK, May lO,--After being clevcrly
advertised and judiciously pulled in advance,
"The Lady or the Tiger was presented at
Wallack's Monday night before a large and
brilliant audience. 1t is to be regretted that
there is absolutely nothing in the work to
defend IL against the bittcrcst bolts of crfti-
cism. In word II is the vericst trash from
beginning to end, and had it not been for the
desperate efforts of the usually side-spltting
Mr.. Hopper, the audience would have either
hissed or left the theatcr at the conclusion
of the second act when the question as to
which one will come into the arena, is prac-
tically decided. The music is utterly worth
less, there being nothing original, or even
Catchy" in the whole score. Once in
while there Is the usual attempts
to plagiarize Gilbert and sullivan, but the
results are SO weak and yalueless that they
do not merit consideration. The libretto
was altogether fiat and stupid, and y roycd a
greater. disappointmcnt than the music,
With the excellent basis of Mr.. Stockton's
fascinating story, q wcllConstructed and in.
terest exciting shook" should have been
made. Sydney Roscnicld-the comedians
friend--the author Of innumemblc success
full stage gags, ought at least to have made il
funny, This he did not do and "Thc Lady
or the Tiger" may be set down as compare
tive failure. Caterina Marco, new prima
donna, made her first appearance as Irene,
the daughter OF the Spartan King. She
should have come TO us years ago, before the
yibrato had assumed such prominence In
her singing. Miss Marco is the sister OF
Mark smith, the popular baritone, and has
been for long time before the audiences of
smaller Italian cities whore she appeared In
grand opera. IL may he interesting to know
how the question OF THE Lady or the Tiger"
is disposed OF In the present work. To
punish Menauder periidious court
prophet 1.-THE gentleman who is supposed
70 work the oraclc'L pansanias, the
King Of Sparta. determines on giving
him over 10 the tender mcrcics of the infuri-
ated and only partially satisfied tiger after
Lamachus, the principal victim, has been
devoured. Pansanas thinks he has every
thing arranged beyond tire possibility of his
plans being upset, and in frenzy Of satisfied
vindictveness he lays before Mcnauder the
novel program he has arranged for him, ut
the same time ycritably standing ON the
neck Of his diminutiyc sooth SLAYER. The
prospect Of certain death Is too much for the
willy prophet who poisons the tiger at an
oppoftune moment when no one Is looking,
and as that Is the only available tiger Ia
unh INV lVNllNlAl'H fNilllhl VT post
poncd an Athcnian old maid is put in the
cage which was 10 have been occupied by
the tiger. lAmachus enters the arena and
Mt n signal from Irene opens the door OF the
cage TO the left OF the royal box. The multi
tude, ignorant OF the tigers death, are breath.
less with anxiety, awaiting either the bcauti-
full Persian captive or the savage spring Of
the fcrocious beast. TO their asionish-
mcnt neither appears, but instead Polyxcna,
the ancient but risky Athenian maiden skips
gayly forth. Lamachus claims that this Is
unfair for he was either 10 confront the tiger
or meet the beautiful Persian captive whom
he was going to marry. As Polyxcna could
hardly be described n Persian or beautiful,
aud as justice must be done nt all events,
Pansanas magnanimpusly bcstows his dough.
tcr's hand ON Lamachus, thus rcuniting the
lovers, rowarding his fayoritc general. aud
putting an end TO the interminable discus
sion. Mcnaudcr's sentence Is oommutcd.
Instead of being eaten up by the tiger he has
TO marry folyXcna, The upcrctin ~ staged
with great taste and careful attention TO de-
tail.