New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-15
THE DRAMA.
The Hon. r.
Desert Island.

4 NEW PLAY AT TIE MADISON SQUARE.
William Gillette has been sngularly successful In
his not very long drama'st' and his latest
play. a Legal Wreck" produced last night at the
Madison Square TheaT did HOt prove an exception 10
his good fortune. Although the piece IS called
comedy, II IS really more domestic drama Wild
strong comic vein running through it. and IS modelled
somewhat closely after tho early successes OF this
theatre. Tho story opens IN the house OF captain
Ed'ad smith, a retired skipper who has as attendant
and almost shadow his retired mate Macy, an in
dividual whose Bunsby-lite sententlousneSs
is decidedly lauehablc Tho captain has
an adopted child, Olive Cray, who has
been with him for fifteen years. She had come there
with her father, whose mind was evidently affected.
and who finally committed suicide. Nothing had been
discovered to show who he vas OF where he came
from. The Captains son, Edward, coarse, rough
and brutal fellow, has fallen In love with Edith Her
affections are, however given 10 a young yachtsman'
Henry Levcrett Ills vessel IS reported to be upon
the rocks with scarcely any chance Of saving his life.
Edward offers 10 try II Edith Will promise 10 marry
him should he succeed. She consents aud Of course
ho his rival In the second act the inevitable
meeting and quarrel between tho two lovers occurs.
A fight follows. Edward cndeay0rs TO stab Lcyerett'
but in struggle is thrown over a clf,
and IS supposed 10 have been dashed TO
pieces. But the good genius Of the play
4 young lawyer named Merriam rcscues Edward.
ard making him believe that he has seriously wounded
Leverett, Induces him 10 give UP his claim to olVo
and fly the country Merriam also allows Levcrctt
to remain under the impression that Edward IS dead.
Olives mother aud sister, Edith arc Introduced into
the third act, and then tho audience learns
that fl tho mothers hcaress condnct that drove
her husband insane. 1t is also discovered that owe
and Edith while absolutely ignorant of their relation
ship, had been schoolfcows and great friends, and
that Leverctt had at time been engaged 10 Edith
and had only obtained his release after meeting
olive. At this stage the story becomes slightly IN
volved and lIltlc painful but everything IS salts
factOrly arranged in the last act, principally through
the assistance Of Merriam and Olive and Leverett
arc left at the final fail OF the curtain as happy
lovers.
The incidents are at tines rather strained. and it
seems unnatural ard heartless that Merriam should
for weeks allow his friend TO remain under arrest
assassin, and perm poor Cal tain Smith to think or
the same space of time that his is dead But a
CERTAIN license must be allowed the playwright and
when tale Is ia rly interesting and seems to run
smoothly, audiences are not prone 10 reason closely
There is much originality in ENDS Of the acts, not ono
OF VIII ch includes w.rh The accustomed tablcau. Tho
! llay may b. set down a. having made decided hit
| with the audience. which lare ly composed Of
Merriam had much to do with the achievement OF thS
! result
Considerable Interest attached to the first appear
ancc In this country of Ms Nina BOnclcauit, she
S I Sce gse" Wiz are aS nsrS ep ah%
satisfactory In many or the lighter passages, she Wa,
not equal TO the stronger scenes. Passion and force
| she cannot yet command 10 any marked extent. but
| these viii probably come with age and oNper ence
Alfred Hudson gave quiet, Artistic ard genial por
traiturc Of the Old captain, and hs mate was cap
| italy played by sidney smith. George Fawcett WAS
| somewhat too noisy and vigorous a. the villain but
his were such "a will probably disappear viii
| more irelu. at repetitons EOyd Putnam did moi
succeed IN making Leycrct particularly interesting
| character In tho extremely difficult and unsym "a
thetc part OF thu mother. Miss Ida Vernon bore her
| self with dignity and discretion The others in III;
| cast were Frances Grahame, MS. Fanny Donham
Rouse and Elsie Lombard. The scenery " As eNcelon
! throughout \ clii and ocean set In the second &C
remarkably beautiful and realistic aud grcctc(
| with prolonged applause.