New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-14
THE DRAMA---MUSTG.
"A NOBLE SOM AT NTBro's.

There can be no question that Leonard Growers
comedy drama "A Noble Som pleased the large
audience that assembled at Niblo's last night 70
witness its first production IN this dty Not only
were laughter and applause frequent throughout the
prgress Of the acts but the end Of each greeted
WITH two or three calls. After the third act thers
were loud and repeated demands for Mr. Grover
who went before the curtain and bowed his
acknowledgements.
Tho piooe contains Of tho best humorous work,
and one or two OF the most pathetic situations thfs
fhe veteran dramatist has ever conceived To thu
critical auditor the arts defect Of tho niece n
that the comedy Is. perhaps, at times A ltttis
too arccaI to blend homogeneousy with the stroor,,
situations But as both portions arc sufficiently gooa
m please an audience, IL Is scarcely likely that ~.
defect will be generally noticeable. The Serious IN
terest turns the separation Of clergyman and NJ.
son. which brought about through the stealing a,
large sum Of money that the former had raised sor
tho payment Of a mortgage on his church Each
through a singular combination Of circumstances :,
made 10 believe the other guilty, and each contes.s.
in order that the other may be spared. In rraJ,,v
neither committed tho crime, but tho Identity a, ~.
real cuprt IS discovered only by the father som. .
after bis son has left HIS house. This son. who's
real name Is Harry Hunter, but who after the pr,ozus
Is known as Professor Fresno Daggare, goes on he
stage. fails and starts dramatic academy. He fails
in love with and marres of his pupils, q
discarded by her relatives DaggaEe and
bis wife become very poor and she is tempted by her
mother temporarily TO leave her husband In order that
their child may have proper food and s;brndsncc
The mOtho's pcrsuasi0ns reinforced by those OF
clergyman, who remains 10 tell Daggare OF bis wffe's
departure. Thus father and son meet again. and
when all should be happiness the father learns Il
his own sons wife whom he has urged 10 leave her
home. The climax of the scene. In which Daggaro
goes temporarily Insane, Is Ona Of the niOst affecting
that has been on the local stage for long Tine
Mrs DaggaFe Is subsequently trapped into applying
fer divorce, and Is about 10 marry again, when shs
is rescued BY Daggare, who finds Ia her stepather NOS
only the villain who sought 10 wreck his hsuo-
ness but also the TobbeF Of the prologue. Some
scenes which pass In the dramatic academy
OF the first act are full OF bright lines and humorous
situations and the many hits at teachers OF elOcuon
aud at the craze for society debuiantes were par
tcularIy appreciated by the frstnighters.
f. j Buckley's performance OF tho star part was
extremely effective. He has long ranked as one Of
our best serious actors, but his quick and SURF touch
in comedy must have been a pleasant surprise 10
many Of hts audience. The character runs through
nearly the whole gamut Of emotion, and Mr. Buckleys
mastery OF every situation proved that he was not
roo ambitious in seeking 10 he Acknowledged As a
star. The supporting company Is generally capable,
Pauline Markham JOhnstO Bennett and J. T. Brien
being entitled 10 special commentator. Beatrice
MOrcland who attempted the part OF the heroine
though pretty and Interesting, was lamentably weak
I'm the crucial situations and seemed more occupied
with her dress than her acting