New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-14
THE DRAWA-MUSIC.
MR.. CRANE IN THE SENATOR.

The play Of "The Senator is in part relic. 1t
planned. begun and partly written by inc I-tc
David Demarest LLOYD, and therefore 1t possesses
pccullar interest for the many friends In this con-
r,nnitv hv whom his noble character and fine talens
were so highly esteemed and by whom his early death
is so deeply depored Last night at the star Theatre
this piece had its first representation in Ncw-York
and the welcome accorded 10 il In the highest
degree Joyous and kind. The house was crowded, and
there frequent and vociferOus applause Much 81
this enthusiasm was obviously OF such a personal
character that il should be held 10 indicate rather
the good will of the people than the excellence Of
the play Mr.. Crane, who acted the chief
part, was repeatedly called before the
curtain, and similar tributes accorded to several
OF his associatcs-notably TO the sprighty and cV-
hilaratng Gcory1ana Drew and to Miss Jane stuart.
In all points the performance and in many respects
the piece, was ratified by the house; and as il was
house rather remarkably representative Of the multi
tide the success Of The senator docs not stand in
doubt. 1t was accepted and 1t will last.
The late Mr.. Raymond used TO declare that all he
wanted the press to say is that the theatre
crowded and the audience laughed. This could be
said with absolute truth with regard TO The sfaor'
There is, however somewhat wider field Of comment,
which certainly is suggested in presence
Of pieGc which is announced illustrative
Of social, diplomatic and political life in
Washington. A comedy should depict manners. Its
pictures may be made entertaining with humor and
cQuvohc but it must first OF all be true. The excel
lcnce of The Senator Is the intention. the plan. the
central figure, the sustained movement, and much
inci,ve and trenchant language. Its weakness is
its superabundance Of farce. The picture Of life Is
not true People do not conduct themselves in Wash
mgton as they represented a. conducting them
selves in this piece There are traits Of truth here
and there, but the essential tissue of the work far
ccal exagseration The audience
Austrian ipomatist-recognizcd as Austrian
because he speaks bad Engish-endcavor-
ing to effect an eopcmcnt with the
wife Of an American Secretary Of state and IT
this amatoy enterprise frustrated by American
ator II likewise this American senator advo-
eating the granting OF a private claim against the
United states Government. which is in the interest
Of girl whom the senator loves. but whom a. lrt
he does not expect to win. This Is the substance ol
the four acts that make tn, piece These two
threads twisted. and they are twisted wltI some
SaSng Ihe purpo,e was t. depict roash
and shrewd humor-and to Gcvove upon his rare
powers Of tax and action certain dramatic task TINT
OF Washington people to be portrayed
for a background What Mr. Lloyd would have Gouc
been anisheG BY MI nH Sidney Ho,cnfd aaI Il SGpr
To- be tho conviction OF thl, autlor-In the good OIL
ia'hloned' artificial, conventional mood of veto" CIV
cred fction-that wealth necessarily mean ra-ciIy.
that fashionable society s Of corrupt, and tf
plenty Of virtue indeed in The senator. lie vo,:cr"-
1t, and AT the last he hur, vice headlons down
mostly the pece + r"necton 81 INV person,
ana topics, greatly ana iarttdN exaggerated. There
j. touch OF sheridan In the Of the senator,
talion Of what he viii say and thcr" is touch 81
John Midway and Captain lIawR'ley i9 the veal. ard
ineffective closing act Taking the piece fOm che
farcicol point Of view, however. is ind 10 have
consistency. movement, finish and meUm"ut. And
the part Of the Senator capital part for Nr Crane.
Tho agile and decorating O. pc of orr countrvrnu
cannot indeed. be deemed the hest type. In actual
lfe he is q t~al. Hut he Is an amusing tvpc. AVID b"
+ exceedingly effective upon the stage. NJ Crane
cmb dies rsolufc. cVpod Gus. genial. energetic man.
overwhelmed with business. p"rpotuaIy in a hurry.
loud. loluaciOus. ard. above all. humorous. J. &
ncessant -pirit carried the piece lat night. a.d.
while MS Improvisation is IN no salient particular
different from other cr hodiwcnte - tI'
man of the world and OF lu-incs- tina. DE- ln-
SET before his public. The figure - ~'"a' il1n'i -
Rivers includes aYd presents al hs c rr'",i-tc, r
q compact and sufficiently ndivdullzod form. Mr.
Crano hes rne power. aC1te Euowl'Arc ~ character
greet com'c vim ard an acrot faculty. for comic in-
fiction q the voice a0d for Gu'e' ~i'" j.. N'"
wise possesses sentiment. iil those r q r"- "r"
shown IN hl, now character. and therefore %" l rr
argnel- his ru.s.'v in iic PER 90. &c. TIE ,'','r
Thc0 no need 2, hlur the 20 ? SCENE WIEN faro"
al the cl,.c. and the Death - the Old claimant ~
finely payd 10y Nj. padcctt, Us nocL >.