New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-15

DALY's THEATRE-rHE NcoNsrANr.

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In Farquhsr's comedy OF q The Jnconstants which
has been visible at Days Theatre since last Tuesday
night, representative figure reappears which gave
great and inccssant delight to our ancestors and
which for that reason alone. II for no other could
be contemplated with interest and benefit Young
Mrabel is the typical rake Of old English comedy-not
indeed as dissolute as Archer as depravod as
Atal. but like them and like all Of their kindred.
man of gailsntry, who lives in breeze Of rolIc and
whose sole purpose Is pleasure Thcstrical audiences
In old times, liked this audaclous, hotbIooded merry
reckless fellow, flashing through scens after scene
OF raDery, cquivoke and intrigue, pursuing cor
damsei who repelled his advances, or an expert
ccquette who bafiied his plots. and retreating
rom some amorous dame as expeditions IS him
self and well nigh as wanton The actor who could
lmpersonate such hero and not AFRAID to exhibit
araor became favorte with forcfathcrs and was
speedily and brightly enrolled in tho book Of famo.
Wllks and Lewis and EIiston and Hodgkinson were
men OF that kind: and Of Euston In particular II Il
tcmemDered that the rollckng animal lover. drawn
" Cohgreve and Wycherley and Farquhar. lost no
'igos 10 MS person nor any significance In his style
VI acuon. The feeling and taste Of society have
changed IN this particular among others. and eharsc-
fers such as Belmour and Scandal would not now bo
accepted at all; while 50 pure part q young
Mrabel has to be pruned little and has % be acted
with some reserve. But there Is . sparkling and
exhilarating fountain Of life In some Of those old
one well worthy to be observed.
Mr.. DAILY has adapted FsrQuhar's play In . skilhll
and tasteful manner The first act IL divided into two
and the other four are condensed into three Tho text
has been purified from want0n talnt Tho monastery
scene has been rejected, and Duretettes moment Of
explosive anger usually omitted has been restored.
oranss eontrvance of the Spanish Don and her sches
Of affected madness displayed In full; much stress
is laid upon the of danger and rescue, in ths
apdo pouu o1un has ham frfl-
vided to be spoken by orians the spirit Of which Is
thought to harmonic with the mingled frvolity and
sincerity OF her character -Four scenes have been
painted TO frame the comedy one Of which Is cor.
rect and interesting view of old Paris quaint in arch
lecture aud mellow In color, and all Of which are
marked by refinement and beauty. Every part IA the
piece likewise has been carefully dressed, the gar
mens being historically correct and IN most cases COM
posed Of delicate fabrics and In lovely and harmonious
colors Miss Rehan's dress for tho mad scene is
pecialy notable for perfection Of characteristic color
and treatment The cast includes John Drew as
young Mirabel Charles Fisher old Mirsbel George
Clark As Duretette Joseph Holland Dugsrd, Will
fam Gilbert Petit, Ada Rehau a. onsna, Miss Kitty
Chsatham as Bisarre, Jean Gordon IS Lamorco and
Louisa Smith Maid. The braves are assumed BY
Mr.. Ormond Mr. Wood Mr. Reven aud Mr. Murphy
and the four female friends OF Bsarre BY Miss KiIby,
Miss Radclif, Miss barley and Miss Herbert. II
should be mentioned that tho scenery painted by
James Roberts, Henry Hoyt and Mr.. Hsnn-ths latter
Of Londou-that the dresses were designed by Alfred
Thompson, and that music for the piece has. been
composed by Mr.. Henry Widmer.
sThe Inconstanr as now embenished and repre-
sented should of course, be by ali persons who
are interested In dramatio affairs. 1t may NOT
take a strong grip upon actual human sympathy, but
IL is vastly interesting, in various Tho char
acters arc vital and picturesque The movement IL
rapid. Tho incident Is pquant The whole scheme
of subterfuge and strife between DRAMA and Mirabcl
is frolcsome and therefore pleasing The actions arc
those Of people In life and not Of people In books ana
accordingly the limitations Of the piece those Of
human nature .rather than Of literature. shrswd
thoughts, indeed, and significant comments upon ife
are sufficiently frequent in it-as when old Mirabcl
cxclams al love be charitable TO those that dons
want it, or Duretctte observes, II ever you would
rise by a great man, DO sure to be with him In his
little actions.s But The Inconstant' is play and
not an essay in dialogue and though its social 81
mosphrre which Is the fashion Of its garb be quaint,
its spirit is fresh and nimble. Such sceLes that
of Duretettes punishment of Bisarre and that Of
DRAMAS assumed madness are no doubt fantastic but
comedy is under no obligation always to copy real
ufe the fantastic invention is justified II its effect DO
good-and in this case the effect is excellent You
perceive in The Inconstants something moro than
picture Of the manners of past age.
and something better than image Of
a lady's innocent stratagcm to win lovers hand
for it shows you kind hearts under the veil Of rcck
less fippancy, and 1t displays the triumph Of love
through simple fidelity and intrepid conduct.
This sprghtly old piece is acted In manner
worthy Of its bright traditions. The rare buoyancy
and the almost tragic force of It not indeed, fully
liberated in the actingfor she that Mr. Drew
does not embody Mirabel with quite as much breadth
aud glitter and abandonment the part viii bear,
make him In the bravo scens quite as formidable
as he really is or quite sufficiently an image of sup
I-tf-4- rrt-
% this being
somewhat Enthusiastically overdressed and BY ccrrdn
Pistol and their menace which, while jocular should
be deadly, does not create absolute apprehension.
sroasS earlier sae Sr s ss bright
bodiment OF light heart and FREQ mind fuI
Tho performances would have snap. and sparkle
Il Miss Kitty cheatham were possessed Of more Of tho
t ana rs sss c 81 an
that Miss chesthsm has introduced lis need is thss
Of spontaneous impersonation- the freedom nom az
Excellent example e tbs Charming
The modest captain at once loyabls and udcrous and
81 second nature. Charles Fisher embodied od
npoas sSs Rsas and
could mistake his humanity or help loving MN =.
remarkable Value for Is one tia, Satisfies the mss
nation when you look back upon e even more tnss
present. In each scene she would furnish theme
Tor the painter. Her raillery. is keen and piercing
without ever once lapsng from refinement Her
transitions from demure composurc % resenuu yex-
alton are made with bewtching. spirit Her digni,
certain scenes are in the best school OF oldoomedy
acting. Her uterance OF the text is perfect music.
And In the mad she assumed piteous and for
0rn yacuity commingled with Wild and desperate ex
whole being swathed with sweet dis,
order Of exquisite lovelness,qulte on the high leyd
81 shakespeare's opheh Fortunately, therc can
be but slight touch Of thismore Of Il had been PAID
hl or else ludcrous. The work showed dramatic
ability Of superb order and great depth OF feeling
YESTERDAYS MUSIC.
cor.erts ~ rh.rher music were given yesterday