New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-06

. AN INTERNATIONAL MATCHs

Days Theatre last night was the. animated and
cheerful of yet another conspicuous IN
the field Of light comedy. IAN International MstchS
as the title implies, is at contest and ALL
ance The contest is wagcd between pompous diplo-
matist, who constantly and comically trips himself
up with his own red tape, and q sptghty young
farceur who has fallen in love and wishes to guard
the secret Of his Identity and condition The ALL
ance is gradually approached, and finally concluded
end consummated, between this vfvacious lovers
nobleman from England,-aad brilliant, ingenious
American girl, who impulsvely loves him, and b.
whom he is fascinated and completely subdued. Tho
piece ia four acts It duplicates ten characters hros
Of which women; and deity Is 1t contrved thai
Its action passes entirely In one and the same scene
which is the handsome drawingroonn of New-Yorh
mansion one Of tho most opulent and tasteful scenes
that Mr. DAILY has ever set The story, which con-
talns double plot is slight in texture, but It is pretty
and pleasing; tho style IS necessarily buoyant ard
crisp and while the piece Is literally sufused with the
glow Of farce the substantial fabric is that of pure
comedyfor this is play that rehects with absolute
fidelity of the most serious aspects Of human NE
incidentally affords picture of manners; and
Is made steadily entertaining with eQuiyoke
and comic perplexlty the original is German
comedy III Franz Won schonthan, but Mr.. DAILY has
made such radical changes In IT. besides writing It's
English dialogue entirely afresh from beginning to end.
that 1t may properly enough be regarded . now
work. And It is one of more than usual refinement,
pungeney and significance.
One Of the most sagacious observers that lived
1.-THE poet Emerson) remarks that all love lovers
1t is from this truth that the present play derives
most OF its force and to this, in the main, that 1t VIII
owe its acceptance. It's whole substance is love. Two
young people meet in IT, and attracted oard each
other ard are perplexed by obstacles and then are
made 10 understand their hearts, and finally arc
plghted for the journey Of life. Two rather elderly
people likewise meet r st, and after considerable dis
play of eccsntricity of character and an amiabie
agency, voluntary and accidental. In promoting the
happiness of the young couple they likewise yield to
tho tender passion and mated for tho rest of their
way.
Two or three facts will sufficiently indicate the
structure Of the piece. Lord Ravenstoke Mr. Drcwj
is In America and has led a gay life, but he IL
good fellow. His uncle, the Duke OF
Portsmouth (Mr. Fisher wishes him to marry his
cousin Lady Guinevere and has commissioned Sir John
Smith Chumley Or. Charles Wheateighl, who does
not know the youth personally to find him and bring
him back to England for the purpose OF this marriage
Doris ada Rehan), niece Of Sir john has met Lord
Ravenstoke, in the Adirondacks, and that merry
gentleman, assuming the name of Mlddleview, an
artist who Is one Of his friends orr. Ormond), has
addressed her in strain OF banter 10 which he seems
generally addicted. The aunt of Doris, Mrs Merriday
NIrs Gilbert), is of Lord Ravenstokes friends,
and when his lordshp calls 10 her he meets Doris
agaln-and so the play begins. The necessity OF
deceiving tho pompous Sir John-aD amable donkey
who Is used fail Of satire upon the alleged folly
of astute dipIomatists-provde occasion for setting
people at cross purposes, and much mirh Is derived
from this posture OF affairs. But the beauty Of the
piece IT'S exposition Of the character Of Doris, and
of the manner In which the love blossoms and
natures between her and Lord Ravenstoke. There
is a dainty scene between them In act second,
uvhtr Sha of
signals, which he straiehtway proceeds to put into
practice and there Is another and still moro richly
humorous and touching scene between them In act
third, when each Is trying TO hide secret from tho
other, and when their efforts end In IN avowal OF
love on both Sides Comic business and serious scnt
ment are here blended with rare skill Miss Rehan
gaze Enoroughly delicious portrayal Of The typical
American girl-lmretous. frank, truthful tender not
lacking In a SORT OF innocent guile that makes her
pquant and charming, but honest the sun and pr
fectly innocent and pure The felcitous outburst OF
almost fearful glee with which this actress with such
fine intuition and such airy grace, expressed the emo
ton Of young girl who loves and Is aware that she
Is loved IN return. could not have been better MAIDS
and could not be too much commended The per-
formance, along its whole extent, presented many
subtle touches of Enc observation Of character and life.
together with the stl more rare aud exquisite facul
ties Of expressing and Of being the ideal OF grhood
thrilled and sublimated by noble passion
Mt. Drew has character 10 WHICH ne - pcriccLy
suiIel-an elegant young fellow. sound a. heart,
though wild his ways who likes TO quE prosy people
and to make light of many things. He acted in
mood Of capital banter and his moments OF sentiment
were manly and 1ne and distinctly potent There
were two calls after the second curtain and there can
be no possible doubt of the Of the play Mr.
Lewis has to impersonate what he never did oefore)
comic bore; but even 9 this bis dron
humor made welcome and delightful
presence for his audIence-whatever he may have
been the lovers whom he perplexed and bothered
Mrs Gilbert enaets a sweet kindly woman In middle
life, who chiefly finds her happiness IN promoting tina.
Of others and II is needless TO at she is perfect
In the part Mr. Wheatlegh presented the fussy. self
,omplacent amable diplomat with complete
fidelity TO nature carefully avoiding carl.
,aturp and impartng probability TO
an impossible parsonage and extravagani circum-
stances. There was needless ghsstliness IN Mr.
Bonds assumption of the private secretary but per
haIs this make-upp IS a hit at real life The piece
closes with touching scene-nade so by the sweet
spirit and simple tenderness OF Miss Ada hehans
a serious old man is shown by Q
grave young girl that tho primrose path OF love Is
stll open for his wandering footsteps There Is much
leyity and SATIRE and Mr. Daly's actors appear In II
10 brilliant advantage, and aS the final curtain hdes
the gay picture and the bright faces from your view
yol Will murmur perhaps the haLsad, haicheer.
iu words Of Praed-whlch may well express iH sig
Then let me live one long romance
And learn trihe well