New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-31
THE DRAMA,
MADISON SQUARE THEATRE" AUNT JACK.

MADISON SQUARE THEATRE" AUNT JACK
In the play of Aunt Jack,' with which last night
Mr. Palmer began the regular season at the Madison
square Theatre those persons who are interested in
theatrical affairs will 6ni much Amusement. IL D an
elaborate farce Its persons and ifs story swathed
in the atmosphere OF comic exaggeration. Its sole
purpose is to impart innocent pleasure, and It begins
and ends In happy laugh. The expertness Of the
work, which is the only element OF IL that awskens
thoughtful admiration, consists in IT'S preservation Of
plausible resemblance to nature and probability
Although written In spirit OF reckless mrth
them is within its glancng medley of froicsome in
cidcnts and absurd situations coherent structure OF
rational narrative II is extremely fragile, but It IS not
altogether Hmsy With serious twist is characters
would become substantial and would bear mOmentOus
relations to each other In this respect IL has been
makers mind earnest and then made
humorous by being completely capsized. The mind
Of the observer accordingly follows its current with
interest eager to know how II will end. The actors
who participate in the performance OF IL able 10
play their parts seriously, and they derive abundance
and variety Of comic effect from playing them in this
The author Of the piece Mr. Ralph Lumley,
is worker among the London playwrghts but
whether experienced or not, he shows that he has
studied his art and that he possesses dramatic faculty,
He has indeed taken his materials from the works
Of others; from the Pickwick Papers, from Mr..
Cilberps Trial by jury and from several French
that comically exploit the escapades Of French
husbands. But he has used these materials In a def
and sprighty way, and his piece IS brilliantly Ia.
dicrOus trial upon the stage has been shown
In long experience be a most unsafe expedient; bu,
in this play the trial scene Is tributary to mer-
rlment. Such a result denotes good means well
ployed
Some account OF this farce has already been given
IN this Journal in London letter descriptive Of its
successful representation at the Court Theatre in that
city where It IS still current, with Mrs. John Wood
and Mr.. Arthur Cecil in the chief parts. detailed
account Of its plot would be frivolous and tiresOme.
The duty of critical record IS fulfilled in an nmaon
OF its character and its merit, and in cordial
avowal that 1t is worthy Of its place at the
Madison Square Theatre and Will reward the attention
Of all who see it there Mr. Palmer has dressed and
mounted It with thoroughly good TASTE and he has cast
its parts with his customary sagacity. Agnes Booth
mpersODates Joan BrysoD, whose nickname is Aunt
Jack This is the preposerous plaintiff in an absurd
action for breach Of promise Of marriage The
essential essence, the animatng soul OF this CHAR
acter is the cheerful selfconfdence Of strong con-
vctiOn in just cause. The lady IS an eccentric
being-whom 10 look at is 10 laugh at-who deeply
feels that she has been wroDged. and who Is bent
upon damages. No spectator who ever saw Agnes
Rooth in the comedy OF Engaged needs to be told
how proficient she Is in the unconscious comcaty OF
grave and eccentric absurdity. Her ample resources
of spontaneous humor revealed with demure sincerity
and reinforced with splendid animal spirits, admirably
sustain her in this new part, ana enable
her 10 fulfil with consummae amplitude and precision
her purpose OF comic effect. The audience was de-
lighted and It's response ought to have delighted the
actrcss-and probably did She made, at any rate. a
nerfect Success She Is not funny as Mrs. John
Wood-no other woman is-but she Is quite funny
eno,,,h. and she makes the production as greaV
success here as It is in London The dressing Oh tn'
part Is admirable.
Mr.. E. NJ. Holland, as Berkeley Brue, cooperates
with her in precisely the right spirit. His mpersona
ton is absolutely correct in It's structure FORM sua
tone but It blazes with the rich interior lustre OF
Involuntary humor Tho amusing dilemma Oh inc
sincere and ardent Brue arises from MS Deihs' w
hdcrous caprice Of chance, at once inc acccP'o'
sritcr of Aunt Jack and the barrister retained !"
defend Colonel Tavenor, the respondent against hof
suit for breach Of promise. To the comic per
rioxitv of this situation Mr.. Holland did
ar,irs iustice-so that his hearers were III
on ecstasy of laughter. Much mrth is derived IRON
ITO exnedent of placing the characters al crosspur
poses with ree TaIeb Cornish and Mildred his wife,
whom he has secretly married, fearing MS aInts aus
still another rivulet Of fun flows out
of the proceedings OF Aunt JACKS "Ooaon s salt
rompacency and likewise from the mingieu MosTs
and pleasantly of the Judge, MI. Jus'no ~. -
sSueu condsscenson by Mr. Stoddart. lesson Of
tbe beauty of simplicity in domestic manners anu ~
official life is to be derived from this peeepy
Tho have the wit to see meaning under smne,
Eut the Obvious drift of 1t is enjoyment IL "~
warmly welcomed by brilliant audience. .
Mr Palmer was called before the curtain az the emu
NJ The second act and cordially GIeered. Kndly re-
certon was given to brief colloquy caled ' ~
Of rSc World which preceded Aunt jack and IN mo
.coni.c of which Tr Maurice, Barrymore managed 70
nIeserve his gravity while uttering an edmonton -
negectful husbands and the intrusive lovers OF mar
riod women The value OF this production IS not
dramatic value but its morality IS unimpeachaoe
would be Improved by the omission OF its alusloLS 70
rcd noses and brandy and soda It would be more I'M
prcssve likewise IL its preceptor were aoe 70 caiy
rcnrvirtion sincerity OF voice. in these cases. u
c9naily To- DO desired with gravity OF manner me
asscm6age specially welcomed Mss Maude Iarrls I'm
deed had reason to feel that it was encompass Wild
friends.
IBSEN'S 4" A DOLLS HOME"