New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-02
THE DR1MA-MUSIC.
THE BURGLAR, AT THE MADISON SQUARE.


Tho four-act play "The Burglar" by Gus
Thomas produced last night at the Madison square
Theatre IS an elaboration Of the same authors ONO
act piece "Elithas Burglar which met win 50
much favor at tho Lyceum The shorter piece lorhis
the third act of the version and 1t Is IN Cia'
the chief strength Of the piece Hes In inc precco'
ing acts It IS shown how Editha's father had been
burglar in his youth how he had reformed after h'S
marriage. and how, when threatened BY his former
associates he had been driven into ono more crime.
This latest BURGLARY IS brought homo 30 him. but aided
by his wifes relatives, he for time escapes. He
lapscs into his old llfo is imprisoned escapes, Is
fired upon by the guard and reported killed Then MS
wife marrtes a former lover, but when she learns
that her first husband Is alive, she declares her neh-
ton of returning TO him. In the temptation by ola
associates. and IN the somewhat strained views and
conduct of the wife, there IS similarity 10 jim me
Penman' "Editha's Burglars is so we'll known 10
our theatroers that II is unnecessary 10 describe tho
Incidents Of the burglars midnight meeting with MS
own child in the house 10 has come to ROD Inc
last act shows his DEATH which the only end TO
the play that the memorable logic OF tho theatre cOud
permit but the author has handled the situation cev-
crly and tho partings with wife and child are touch
ngly contrlyed.
II Is. perhaps. somewhat unfortunate that :" The
Burglar should be produced upon the Same stage as
Jim the Penman- and Captain Swift" All these
have criminals for heroes and In several other respects
here arc marked simlarities. In one OF TWO situa-
ons The Burglar Is quite strong as either OF Its
predecessors but it IS not written with equal skill and
care. An attempt at extremely conventional coheoy
between two servants which occurs in the first
act, Is Ineffective and homogeneous. and should be
cut out Other comedy relief to tho decidedly serious
main interest afforded by couple of young lovers
WI proved fairly amusing.
The principal defects of this piece tho fmproOar
Bile position Of the hero, who, after leading the Life OF
welLknown criminal Is able 70 marry into respect
able and wealthy family, and the unnatural con-
duct Of the wife in desiring 10 return to the man VINO
had dsgraced her. This situation at tho end
Of the second act. and that it dIstastefm was
proved by the almost entire absence Of applause on
that curtain The strength of the play lies in the
last two acts and these Will probably insure for it
repetition of tho favorable verdict that was generally
possess any marked literary excellence. 1t
we're many bright sayings which called
forth hearty laughter. The performance was
on the whole admirable. though several OF the actors
lary noticeable In the work OF Mr.. Thomas as inc
faier Of the Wife, with tho effect of making him ap-
near at times "woOdeny" and unieeling Mau1ce
BARRYMORE has never done better work than III ulls
Iay, and in the third and fourth acts nc shoWel
more than usual command Of pathos John T. sullivan
was manly and impressive the second husband anu
sidney Drew as the young lover was quletly ana
0unlntlv humorous. Miss Emma sheridan dld prop
ably as wei possible with the VIE. ana MISS i'n,
Dm3rce was pi0uant as her younger sister. The part
~ the child Editha was pretty and naturally played
bv Iitte Certic Holman. who speedily captured inc
affections of her audience