New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-03
THE DRAMA
PALMER'S THEATRE" ALABAMA

boHs anu Nds WclCOintu, Dy n hrse dIClthco, WIN
plaudits OF cordial good WILL The Of the piece
is pleasant sight to behold and IS suggestive Of pleas
ant thoughts. Every yeconstltu;ed mind loves to
recognize and TO praise fresh, sincere and genuine
work Of art and this is what Er Thomas has provided
for the public In his comedy OF Albania 1t came
at time when many anxious persons had been nquir-
ing for the American drama; II was found to be
American in subject well in origin it caught the
popular fancy at once and 1t has steadily prospered
In these circumstances there is not only achievement
but auspclous instruction. Mr.. Thomas has not only
written good play but has set good example-ndi-
eating the field and the direction In which 1t should
be explored and showing how other and stronger
American plays may be derived from 1t. He is not
only clever dramatist; he Is pioneer.
There many fine qualities in Alabama 1t
Its story disclosed BY deeds instead Of being
related. Its persons distinctly indivduazed. 1t
is sufused with 1t imparts the feeling OF
high ideal Of character and conduct. II Is unob-
trusivcly humorous and unaGectedly pathetic 1t does
not preach. Its style is clear and crisp. using Few
words II is not literary But perhaps the finest OF
its qualities is that Of dramatic suggestveness FOR
the purposes Of dramatic author human life Is 10 be
viewed as river that, for the most part flows under
gound-only at intervals breaking forth into the light
Every character in this world has background Every
condition Of ndividualsm and Of circumstance Is con-
sequent on long line OF anteceden facts The story
OF many persons, all implicated In one Web VIII run
silently In the dark, for long time till suddenly q
crisis reached and this declares Itself IN action The
true dramatic talent percelves the points OF contrast
the moments Of upheavaI of conflict. Of aeon-and It
can show human beings and human life as Fate shows
them It is not the talent of the novelist. which must
take mott Of every detail. 1t selects. The perfect
play may be ukened TO the new moon-a clear ana
brilliant crescent with the rest Of the orbs dark Dut
perfectly defined, In its arms Your gaze Is rive'ed
by the superb sickle Of light but at the same time you
comprehend the entire planet.
Mr. Thomas shows himself in this comedy. to be a
man whose mind IS naturally OF the dramatic order
This dramatist had story to tell about gallant
soldier whom the chance of war had separated from
his wife, and whose wife had subsequently died IN
giving birth to his chd-of whose birth, however ne
had long remained in ignorance The signal success
author consists in the fact that he has wrought
in such way to allow the essential incidents OF tins
story to reveal themselves in the liSt Of dramatic
contrast-as they would naturally do in actual life
His defect IS that he has somewhat forced the proba
binties. It was not likely that Henry Preston and
Mildred Fairfax, who loved each other and who are
strong characters, would have submitted TO be sepa
rated 1t was not likely that either Of them, when
they had been separated, would marry. IL was net
likely that Henry Preston would have remained for
Gghteen years in ignorance OF the birth Of his child
IT was not likely that,-lovng his father dearly
Henry Preston would have remained all that time in
exile from that fathers presence and from the old
home, DO matter what causes Of mere enhancement
might have existed. And yet, upon the other band
so strangely is truth ut variance with likelihood In
human lfe.-all these things remotely possible.
The author in this instance thought them essential 10
his object and he has assumed them TO be facts ard
has built upon them.
The South is the more picturesque part Of our
country. The old social order at the South
hundred times romantic. pictorial and interesting
than any social order at the North either Is
or ever has been. Mr.. Thomas chose wisely in
choosing Southern plantation home for The scene o
his play. Much is dependent upon climate. 1t affects
character and well as atmosphere and
foliage. The investlture Of this piece is delicious
You the large stars hanging In the deep dark
sky and the stu streamers Of the gray moss and the
great fans OF the palm and you almost smell the
scent Of magnolia the faint evening breeze. The
people In II also soOthe and charm You by a certain
languor which IS full Of repcse The purpose was TO
set the easy, indolcnt, drifting temperament Of the
South in sharp contrast with the more alert and
pedit!ous energy OF Northern enterprise The social
individual alterations ard the changes
and sOrrOws resultant upon the American Civil War
were wisely chosen background and setting for the
picture. The haze o. Time has sealed that
lamentable period in American history and grows
more and more interesting and be contemplated
without rancor and without wrath. This play treats
It very wsely-indcating without partisan motive and
that binds all sections OF the Republic into nation
Colonel Preston and his son Henry stand for the two
divisions Of the land and when at last they
cied their union points the obvious moral.
The piece Is full of feeling. defdy elected by the
simple expedent Of placing each Of It's chief char
acters in circumstances Of natural pathos The
spectator is conscious either OF ingenuity Of In
vention massiveness OF structure in ids play,
but he seems to be viewing actual life with
the halo OF romance upon II, and so he is
satisfied If anywhere there is n harsh II IS the
with which Henry Preston under his disguise
as Captain Davenport. Is thrust forward and made
predominant stranger would scarcely BE- permitted,
all at once in any community thus to take the man
agement Of everybody into his hand. Bat possibly
this quality OF seasserOn may proceed rather from
the actor than from the part: Mt. Maurice Barry
more's acting has not SHOWN the temperament Of sin
certify deep heart He seems content always 10 be
a tr,~er. He never strikes the authoritative note.
Neither his dignity his tenderness cOnVinces Even
the Grid WEAKNESS Of the man-oithewOrld seems
real. his expression OF IT, lie would be superb.
doubt As Dudley smooth Or as Captain Hawksley.
lie does not show either the earnestnes or the gentle
ness that are essential to give aaonai air TO the
picturesque personality and professional skill commend
the good Will Of all and last night this part OF the
acting and indeed all the acting was Ike silk.
1t needed however more emphasis n an! at times inc,
coined with enthusiasm, and who played Mrs.
Page. once again taught her audience that
slender character can be made powerful BY IN
pride grief, jOy-wst these but unless the
person who undertakes express them i noble.
nest, deep in feeling fine in fibre and substantial in
Acting would be much better. all
round the compass, II actors in general not
shallow and trivial In themselves. The impersonation
given by Agnes Booth readily conQuers. because 1t
fains a wCman's heart. Mr.. Harris repeated his eY
celleDt artistic squire Tuchera wonderful
and delightful type he makes 10, Of spontaneous
integrity, bland inertia and unconscious humOr Mr..
Holland pleased everybody with his treatment OF the
more expeditions and equally eccentric representative
SoutherIer. Colonel MOberly Mr.. stOddsrt is faithful
fine of ~
tic exclusiveness the venerable Colonel Preston Old
men love not u changes and those whom they
cherish they would keep In tie nest Of home. Agnes
Miller l. sweet girllOOd ncarnate Carey Preston.
Mr. Reuh Fax presented the old negro servant with Alb
soiue fidelity. Mr. Bel assumed the young lover With
grace tenderness and chivary II j. indeed that
an evening in the theatre is happy thus
for the people both sides OF the curtain and II Is
very seldom that any theatre places within the public
asch such opportunity Of innocent and beneficial