New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-15
JEFFERSoN-FLoRENCE: THE RIVALS

FFERSON-FLORENCE: THE RIVALS
great and iubIlant audience greeted the Jefferson.
Florence Comedy Company at the Star Theatre last
evening. Seldom indeed, have such a combination Of
talents and such demons tTaton of personal affection
contributed make dramatic performance delightful
and memorable. The series Of representations thus
auspiciousy begun has been long anticipated
tain bring pure happiness and rereshment Of spirit
to all who have. kept their hearts and minds uncor
rpted by the feeble and frivolous antics 10 which tho
stage is now largely given How many such
there was indicated for our consolation by the
throng which a stormy and clustering night filled
a great theatre from footlighs TO lobby. 1t was an
audience to which the greatest actor in the world
might have been proud to play, and TO which, In
truth, of the greatest actors in the world did play
with consummate skill and mastery.
The Rivalso is familiar and delightful TO all the
intelligent play-goers of this CITY, They have seen
1t again and again under varied conditions and many
times with Mr.. Joseph Jefferson Acres. OF THAI
impersonation nothing new can now be said The
same individuality Of conception embodied In the same
perfect FORM exercised last night the same
potent fascination upon all who saw IT, And. II
possible, the whole was more exquisitely and
completely transhsed with the lovely spirit OF tho
actor than before. Many of those present must
have recalled with pain and regtful fondness the %
operation which only year ago in the same play MI
John Gilbert lent Sir Anthony Absolute to the Acs
of Mr.. jefferson and tho Mrs Malaprop Of Mrs.
John Drew. 1t will be long before this or any other
community will his place filed or will lose the
recollection Of all that he was to successive genera
tiOns The elevation the equipoise the benevolencs
which shone through auste1ty, the repose which was
felt beneath turbulence missed last night In the
assumption of Mr. Edwin Varrey. But that actor is
a man of too much sincerity and sagacity TO
resent the confession that he is not
a Gilbert and that acknowledgment having been
made it is a pleasure to add that his performance
nd
easy command of many excellent resources. Mrs
Drew, dear to the hearts OF thousands made good the
vivid recollection of her past triumphs as Mrs.
Maaprop. No other embodiment so true and SO Sas-
quae has been seen within the memory of those now
I'm middle life and else has denoted the harn-
less selfsuilciency Of ignorance with so fine an ar
Of decorous authority. That is and of right ought
be the dominating Characteristic of the mpersonasa
and the eager response the expression Of tbis pa
pose whenever Mrs. Drew the stage was y
once a proof of the discrimination Of the audencs
and worthy tribute TO the admirable sldn OF t0s
actress.
Mr.. Florence received the cordial and
HEARTFELT welcome from a host Of friends
which he long ago earned and has never
failed to enjoy. His association with Mr.. Jefferson
for the production Of the masterpieces Of comedy 10
one of the most salutary and interesting incidents
in the annals Of the American stage bust Of
applause greeted his entrance and jealous attentics
and appreciation followed him to the end. He
appeared as Sir Lucius o'Trgger, charscta
which he has not assumed for many years. and which.
therefore, possessed for the audience an element Of
novelty which had been eagerly anticipated. Hs
rlayed the part with much reserve, but his drolep
was less broad and unctuous than lovers OF "Ths
Rivals have been accustomed to expect It was not
on that account less consistent and sustained Miss
viola Allen lately seen and admired the Southern
maiden in shenandoah" charmed her audience
last night with a def and winning exhibition Of the
ardent petusnce and and romantic affection Of lydia
Iangulsh; and, since everybody loves that beauty
should 70 beautifully 1t is proper add that she ws
exquisite in person and raiment word OF com
incubation should be frankly spoken for the per
formance Of Mr.. George W. Denham, who a Jaw
won for that loyal retainer hearty nfests OF "a
mirauon, aud for the unobtrusivs sincerity Vi N.
Frederick Paulding Captain Absolute: ~. Iny M
of Faulkand Of Fag and Of Lucy were tsn0a "a Mss
George Frederick Nash, Mr. Joseph warren TEL where
Agnes MiRr. In comedy like The nv br,nrs
every word Is point, and every ~. Sd vociferous
situation there is time for prolonges any last TIA
applause but nom the FIRST moment 20 "a" a.a sppN
house was 6ill Of that ripping Laughter A0 A'<'A