New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-22
CLAUDIUS NERO" AT NIBIOS.

II the protectors of "Claudius Nero which was
produced for the first time at Nlbo's Garden last night
had announced it simply @ spectacle they would
not have laid their attraction open to vast deal OF
criticism 70 which is subj by its pretensOnS
drama 1t is called "a historical dramatic pageant
and this title exposes 1t to the comment that It's
historical vane Is infntesmal and its dramatic quality
impercepttbe. As pageant, II II were offered g.
nothing else, it would be worthy Of respect. What
credit Is due ~ the piece is due To This feature OF II
and the thanks Of those who Interested in ii should
be paid 10 Max Freeman stage manager more than
10 any else for smooth performance Oh the first
night. performance that pleased the large audience
gathered to it, in spite Of the inherent weakness
Of the fabric that the stage manager and the actors
had TO adOrn.
There not enough ballets In Nero to make the
spectators tired of them, and what there well
arranged and happily executed The procession at the
end Of the second oct is gorgeous display Of costumes
and armor and standards and the groupings ore str
ing and effective. The Roman mob is well-trained
and spirited in Its action. The burning of Rome is
not ridiculous stage fires often and the dis
play of the in the shy end Of the last
though in questionable taste the climax OF psece
Of this character was well accomplished. assuming
that IL should be accomplished at ALI All these things
reflect credit the mechanical arrangements and the
bestowed the rehearsas, and the ringing down
Of the last curtain at half-past 10 O'Clock is rare
occurrence On nleHt Vi plerc
elaborate scenic display and many people But, if
the mob did It's duty we'll, II is not TO be assumed it
looked all like crowd Of the Roman populace. and
the statement that the procession moved smoothly
and without blocking the Stage and getting in its own
way no implication that such procession ever
existed could exist of the stage OF theatre. The
people rushed from their houses and filled the public
square, shouting about the wrongs OF the poor and
crying for vengeance but they looked sS If they were
ready for fancy dress-bal. and II they should be
ware OF struggle with their OppressorS lest they
should soil their bright costumes The band that
walled 10 front OF Nero played instruments Of the
latest model the quartet attached to the German en-
basy sang q song Arranged for the modern concert
platform and the bGl1t introduced without al
tempt at appropriateness in any essential respect.
The writer Of the spoken parts OF the piece is not
named and IL is well for his reputation that he Is
not. Dramatic force and situation are conspicuous
by their absence appear only in such forms have
in trade of writer's for the stage through
long years and the language Is trivial and common
The actiDg of Wilton Larkaye In the title part Wa,
place, like the wor. that he had 10 say, and
in what supposed to be the passages
il had Of coar>eness about II than OF
tragic power Miss Carrie Turner, as Acte, laoored
under same disadvantage as the rest OF the actor
things with much show Of reAs0n rs
she could assume The most worthy performance
was that Of Miss Alice Fisher as Agrip
nina the mother OF Nero, and Miss Blanche Weaver
AZ Poppaea Sabina played a little part carefully.
A Spanish dancer called Roslta was introduced. and
danced prcttily and pleased the audience Ihe non
that were lie exhibited the stage arrived In his
should be seen tonight Mr.. Darling their trainer
was introduced to the audience a. evidence that
lis pets were really at hand.