New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-01
NOBES AT THE BIJOU.

play with a plot drawn from the conception Of
statue endowed with life must suggest "Pygmalion
and Galatca." For a arises in which
little comparison need not be odious, and it may
to explain as well any other method, the character
Of Niobe,7 the comedy by Harry and Edward P5ultn
which seen for the first time in this city at tho
Bjou Theatre last night. The value of "NiObe' as
dramatic work equa, TO that Of Pygmaon
and Galatea' than Ermnie7 is equal to Tho
NiAado.7 Bat II was not the purpose Of the authors
10 produce work of the kind prctensions.
In Mr. Glbe's play the animation OF the statue leads
TO serious and tragic results in Niobe' it pro-
motes only comic perplexity and merrlment. The
authors have also anticipated any charge Of plagiarism
and gracefully acknowledged their debt to Mr. Gilbert
by reference to his play by name In the first act OF
their
As the present writers aimed to weave lighter
web than the earlier one, the difficulties In their
way less. Many an admlrer of Galatca must
nave wondered how she could know so much without
knowing more-why the gods should have given her
lie and language without giving her knowledge Of the
meaning Of the words she was using. But Nobe is
DO; supposed 10 be a statue carved with hands. She
Is that verable NiObc who from living human flesh
was stfenod into stone. in the Gays when she dared
70 boast herself more blessed than Latona, and who
now comes again breathing woman beginning her
knowledge and her thought Just where they frozen
"lth her Of old. She knows what love is. Of course
10 one could know better than she-but she does not
10 i'Ve-she' que.n-cannOt kill any other woman
Or man VINO piesume5 10 stand In her way. Even tho
apparent Inconsistency Of her speaking gish Ia
ceVey disposed Of by showing that the electric wires
uht rave brought back her animation have given her
modern tongue, while she thinks til she Is told Of
her mistake, that she Is still talking Greek.
>she language OF the play Is bright fresh and clean
fhe nearer can be interested and amused by It and
cen laugh at II long and heartily, without feeling
ashamed Of himself aitefward. This should be true,
no doubt Of every play intended TO be OF the light
mirthful SORT but alas the tlmesl Even the early
weeks Ct the new theatrical season have brought forth
so much THAT was dull, nane and coarse that little
wit with the true sparkle and little English clear and
undenled are like wells OF water In a thirsty land
Tie faults OF the play are structural More men
can write good dialogue than can build good stories
there are more god wall painters than good
architects. There is place In the second act where
the aggfeved wife finds her husband holding Eobe in
his Niobe is then supposed 10 be a governess
and little later she examined IN certain branches
Of learning, that pIetext may be found for her dis
mlssal Surely a wife would not wait Ia ask questions
in geography of already detected rival In her hus
bands affections This may be called the license OF
tsrce but consistency is Jewel Ia farce as much as
anywhere else. and rs tho very spirit Of whimsical