New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-21
THE DRAMA---MUSIC.
THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER.

That nrcttv and Interesting child, Elsie Leshc' ~
again placed before this public last nighe "' u.
broadway Theatre, where she appeared III r" iou-
mclodrama called The Prince and the Pauper,
made BY Mrs Richardson upon the basis oi INC W.
known story by Mark Twain. Mr.. I"aihe So
is fanciful and exceedingly pretty IL makes n''"
annIication of an ancient scheme Of r0mahce-a
scheme that LongfellOw used in " King koOero Vi
scilvo a scheme that dates back at least as far is
The Arabian Nights Rational expectation nov"
ever "A, TO the originality is satisfied with mover use
of old ideas, and the story OF The Prince anu 'o
Pauper, rightfuly holds its place with the new thns'
of tie passing hour To inquire whether us houo"'
could possibly have happened to the son OF King
Henry the Eighth would be perhaps to inquire TOO
curiously. Romance has its privilege, and IL til'
instance the privilege has been literally employed
Prince Edward and Tom Canty resemble each other
SO closely that one cannot be distinguished from the
other They meet, and they exchange raiheh''
and then the Prince is thrust forth as vaSraht
while the pauper is compelled to take the place OF
the Prince, and the story recounts their several al
ventures. ImprObabllitieS which are inconSpcu-
Gus in that which Is read become prominent IN that
which is seem and although Mrs Richardson has made
sklful use of the material. her play does
not quite carry conviction. Unquestlon-
ing acceptance If impossible events IS
therefore essential to the full enjoyment of the piece
Mrs Richardson has braided into Mr. Twain
narrative few threads OF emihistorc story taken
apparently from of the novels of the German
Kaulbach. There are episodes to the Princess
Elizabeth and Seymour. which are but slcndery at
tached to fabric Of the plot and which could well
be spared. The best scene is one in which the
vagrant Prince Edward Is received, protected ana
nurscd by broken down gentleman, Miles Iiendon-
a scene that IS instinct with the sweet sentiment
which always haows manly strength when 1t Is
protecting helpless innocence and impercd weak
l. oha min
an artistic revelation Of contrasted traits
of character, and by pointed and telling
dialogue. The third act contains me
specimen Of the old fashioned device Of deadly peril
and opportune rescue, such As pervsdes Jack Shep
pardr or the Bandits Bride" The scene, IN lI'
essence and treatment. almost repeats the rookcry
p.cture i'm Mr. Daly's play Of Pquc.' II is an old
friend but with pretty little Leslie in it the visage OF
il seemed fresh Dian, and 1t elected tumult oi
applansc Much is lost in this piece from the use OF
the expeden Of doubling the parts OF the Prince ana
! the Paupcr. Two children would be better than
one admitting, of course, that perfect resemblance
| could be obtained and this would especially tell az
the conclusion Little Leslie is finely intelligent and she
EXPRESSED with really fse discrimination the difference
between the natures of the two children, especially at
the moment when tho pauper IS hailed as the King.
Her resources of preston not ample, however
and after several exhibitions Of the pretty pout inc
mperous sweetness, the tender caprice and the self
pos-csscd nonchaiauce her Representations grows Just
| Il little tiresome. such things happen even win
grown up actOrs-and the moral - that brcVly Is mo
.nul II other thing Vel oi Wit. The piece np~t
concerns itself with the adventures OF Prince EDWARD
when turned adrft In his pauprr eaFb, and lttle Les
| lie i" visible during most of three hours.
Mr. VANDERBILT gave charming performance OF INC
merry, gallant, humor>omc. good naturedy pe@1
! ant soldier Of fortune. The riian J0hh
! CAVITY was much ovcrdOnc By VT. Hll-
| feathcr-so much indeed. that hc seemed stage
property borrowed from Jack Cad". The crop earni
| maniac Of act thirl likewise made "Ace--iVc ana
| rdicuou, by Mr. TannchLl But these person, BEN ;
ont Of nature cannot and never DID. inspire haiu;.
conduct The inspiration and style u the better pos
| ZION, Of The Prince and the Pauper appear d" nave
| enr caught from the hgltc- manner # sir waiter
scott There f. considerable iteration, however oi
| .Nav nav and he like, not aud such othcr imam
hruous giving ont 81 the intention a. d. IN the Eliza
brhan vein Most of the scenery used last nlSht wa
,o,r,clv painted ana awiwartly constructed. ana th
| ,tncc management con>picuOu>h clumsy. Ihe an
dicncr welcomed Elsie Lc-nr with aH"ct"nar lnic.,.'
and received the piece with favor. chiefly on the chd
| account. II Will Lave good career