New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-23
THE DRAMA,
DALYs THEATRE-THE GREAT UNKNOWN

Another turn Of Fortunes Wheel was mads A
! DAYS Theatre last night, and the Of the new
prl1e IS The Great Unknown. 10 Is a good name and
INC comedy that It deslgnates is a good comedy:
soou' because It IS copousy fraught with action and
'noushI' interesting IN story abundant In diversified
char@ter' cheerful with humorous traits and with
amusing dialogue, and punycnt with playful satire
upon bVlhs theme. The foible against which its
merry warfare chiefly IS directed IA that of rostre
IN the literary Character and the literary lfe In
c'd'htihy also II casts rosy raw of truth upon
VIC vanity ana Jolly Of age that affects the Ievics
ana iremors OF sentimental yot frolicsome, youth
ana ~ SHOWS The mcnding OF the manners Of Q
Dhui'uous ana slang smitten Girl, under the refn-
ing Influence Of love. 1t begins with the picture.
half revealed and half suggested NJ
family that has been disr,,n,ed th-o,h
the operation Of literary folly IN the wife ard
mother who should be its central bond and II closes
after various comic episodes touched here and ,hsrs
with tenderness In the restoration OF happiness m
tho 1resde Of home There IS slight tone Of farce
in it. and the picture Of manners Is much exaggerated
The spirit Of 10, however is continuously sparkling
and the final effect + that of happy pleasure At only
one point does IFS essentially dramatic method weaken
where the discontinue o. the amorOus Mr. Jarraway
IS accomplished by verbal explanation rather than
by something done.
This new piece has been adapted by Mr. DAILY
from the German Of Frau sconttsn and Gustsve
kadelburg. The first and second ac;s follow quito
closely the plan Of the original although the language
has been considerably changed. The last act devoted
to the Great Unknownby which title the literary lady,
negectfu of her family and mindful solely OF the
MUSES.. Is desgnaed-hss been entirely reconstructed
and In this Mrs. Yeamans; playing Mrs. Arabells
Jarraway, Is enabled 10 give free rein to her broad
humor and vigorous style with a porsonifcation Of
windy ambition bIumagem talent and social folly.
Mrs. Yeamans elected hearty laughter and vehement
from ~ IN in.
telllgent playg going people of New-York It IS not
easily possible for refined taste to find unqualified
pleasure In either the personality the style Of
this actress; yet 1t Will not be denied
that she adds broad color TO the picture and provides
the freshness and Zest Of uproarlous froc Another
first appearance made here. and another type OF
Irish character presented, by Mr.. Wilton Lackaye,
who had hearty welcome and who impersonated Tho
oDonneil Don. This is an Irishman who has
audacy, and yet is modest; intrusiyeness, and yea
a relied nature and well-bred manners. He enters
tho piece the expeditions wooer and ne prevails
by his pertinaclty and his charm. Mr.. Lackaye made
him modification OF OCallaghan and Dazzle, blended
In one person, and by grace case. an msinuating
address and genuine humor, together with slight
and pretty brogue, made positive hit and easily
gained and held the favor Of his audience.
Mr. James Lewis Mrs Gilbert and Mr. Drew, under
new names and conditions, are provided with chaI-
acters such they have often portrayed before nov"
Mr. Lewis is the elderly husband who possesses
Temporary liberty from the matrimonial shacNes ana
who rejoices in it and merrily frisks after pretty
widow. and comes to the grief Of riiculs In the
prcposerous chase This ripe and quzzlcal come
diam with his quaint and dry manner, his acute
knowledge of The world and Of human character.
has never expressed almost senlle vanity ID
more amusing strain. Every infection Oh MS VoNe
gave crisp effect TO to the significance OF MS woNS,
and every time he spoke during some portions OF
the play there a ripple Of laughter. MT Dre"
impersonated the highsprtcd, ardent, true ana en'
der young lover, who yet IS amably qulzzcai ana
mildly cynical, and he displayed this type IN abso-
lutte perfection Of repose and grace. The touch OF
passion in the really lovely between Mr. Drew
and Miss Rehan in act second had the finest enect OF
truth. Mrs. Gilbert again displayed, as Only MIS-
Gilbert can, the sIvergray lady OF domestic life.
wise and swectly grave, yet pquant with satirica
humor and keen common sense.
The essential victory and the crowning charm OF
this representation however Is the embodiment OF the
Wild and sweet and pquant American girl, Etna by
Miss Ada Rehan. Such girl I'm real life might be .
trial. IL is not every girl who utter slang and
bounce as Miss Rehan did. without even once los
ing the irresistible sweetness and rest of artiess
Of of'''' the play in which this hOydan girl
conters with her male cousin as to what report Of her
Len mother; apd there is subsequent scene In which
sssr with ssos Snd IT %o h' not S Posc
recognize with too much sympathy or TO sxtol with
too candid praise the astonishing fidelity 10 giriie
that Miss Rehan herein manifeSted-the radiant glee
the light and shadow of caprice the
alienation of interest and Indifference,
the wild tmult of animal spirits,
the swift pang of Jealousy and the rapture OF con-
scious love 1t is full and fine image of girl
hood budding into woman dramatic art has given
in our time. 1t is animated by the most exhlarang
spOntaneity and it is environed With every physical
charm and every artificial adoTment Its effect upon
the audience prodgious. Miss Rehan has done
many fire things I'm Ibis vein and many noble things IN
a higher vein but she never gave more convincing
evi of her elemental powerand truth as an actress
or of her absolute command Of her remarkable dramatic
ia ulties the resources If her ART and the winning
charm OF her sympathetic temperament. tbs single
embodiment would male the success OF the piece
remarkably substantial and Opulcnt scene has been
set for THE Great Unknown and the piece han
RE beartest Endorsement that public enthusiasm can
express. Mr.. DAY. however has underlined As You
Lille It,, which may be expected about the Christmas
HOLIDAYS with Ada Rchan as Rosalind.