The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-08
AMUSENENTa


At the Thalia Theatre last evening the Mein-
niger made change OF bill. which In point Of
timc kept their efforts close to tho soul-stir-
ring and portentous scenes as wildly enacted
by them In Julius Cesar" but which as re-
CARDS locality transported them to an
other world. It might almost be said.
That German chieftain by tho
namo Of A7ninius or Hermann. about the be-
ginning Of the Christian ora, attacked and do
stroyed Roman army under Va,Ns. at or near
the point In the Teutoburger forest, Ippo-
Detmold. where Banders famous statue
was erected in 1876. Is not an event
qualified to stir tho American mind
any more deeply than tho elaying Of
the famous sachem. King Philip. In the Con-
necticut swamp In the seventeenth century
would be likely to have corresponding effect
upon tho German mind Plainly put, this
drama OF "Hermann's Battle" must be
expected to appeal to our intellectual
rather than our emotional nature. No
ono ct least not native in Germany
and to the manner born. unless strongly en-
dowed with what Herbert Spencer calls the
reproductive faculty" could be expected to
grow enthusiastic over these long ago troubles
OF PARKWAY people. In other words, II was
quite necessary that oil must depend upon
the strength. scope. and sustaining power
ue' could DO mado to hold on American au-
dienco in steady and vigorous grip. Those
acquainted with the skill OF this fine company
OF players had nothing to dread. Rarely. in
decd. has there been seen upon any stage such
. vast conception so admirably carved out
to wit, the setting In strong and picturesque
contrast OF Roman pomp and magnilcence
with the wild. semi-barbaric majesty Of the
warlike Teutons and Cheruscans. In less
capable hands, with faulty impersona-
ton. or with action lacking the vigor
OF barbario temperaments. such scenes
as enacted last evening by the Meininger
might easily and readily degenerate into the
merest barn. storming: hut with such learned
and patient attention to every detail
in the matter OF national garbs. costumes
OF peace and war. arms. accoutrements. and
interior furnishings as displayed by these
earnest and conscientious actors. every scene
becomes as much delight to the eye as the
iaMtIess reading and defiamati2n d9 70 the ear;
He the a s na q
legiops under the command OF Ta,us. To &C:
Isd sens G ass, Ssn rot ii
the aSsDs tbss Of Germany mere dv tSi
il but one thing-the extermination o. his fof-
oos an He e EsF sas sf
conreges his vile to, accept the court paid her
'nS anes r sSs ne tie
saevians. decoyS the leglons 9f Ear.s
lacking them front and rear. annihllates them.
en n s II Gs cbTsn
nj m RI
Rslhaila;; H, was by turns tender
the stage like a true prince OF the wildwood.
In particular was his acting OF high order in
sss GS er s T 70 s hs
Of the Roman officer, so that Tdrus's watehiul
eyes might be closed to tho working no Of the
As Prince lNay1od. Matthew, Pfeil. achieved
in s
an exquisite S 4 .,. mingnS v; Fl Wild End
sstsis Slnssli ssss tsss IS fsa|!y re-
may really DO said to have mads' her
e'o seems az
10 the gloom OF B,1tus's garden. gave the pub
liz but little or no cppHrtTTtty t. Judge Of her
Of lack ofgallantry. that this actress is neither
any longer . young woman: Of rather large
to be capable Of any deep expression. and her
s's spite ito oi ali t these drawbaeks ANNA
AaysTand is eanabble :, actress. thor;
watchful OF the smallest matter Of detail She
most ably seconded tho eifolts of knorr to III!
in this picture OF ancient German lie and
manners with those life tnts so necessary to
keap. tho refined Imagination in continuous
activity.
Or the drama itself. 1t may be urged that the
author has done all that could be done with
the. material ut hand There is small op.
delicate shades q feeling; 1t is rather
such worthy Of high aulogium. showing
as It does such pninstaking care. such Gdmira-
BILE devotion to art, such learned research as
to provo attractive to young and old. to the
ir6elllRent pluygoer as well as to the student
oSarchRology.. Til. MeininGers have done
much to strengthen the good opinions already
drawn forth by their initial performance.
An Old Title to New show.
Little except the title was old In The City
10 porfnrp,oJ nj ;o,, nooro