New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-12
THE DRAMA.
ADA REHAN,s FAREWELL.

ADA REHAN'S FAREWELL.
The end Of the dramatic season at DaIy,s Theatre
marks the withdrawal from this community for long
time of of its principal sources Of intellectual edit
cation and refined PLEASURE In particular IL means
the temporary oss-which yet is serious,of the best
actress of this period the American STAGE Miss Ada
Rehan. Gravity may smile at this statement hut the
loss is nevertheless considerable one, and life will be
more dull for many persons when that graceful figure
and that gentle face are seen no more. An actress
who is really brillant-who possesses heart and mind
and personal CHARM and professional eQupment-lends
grace to common life, far greater than is commonly
understood and appreciated. The presence Of such a
fountain Of enjoyment is usually taken matter Of
course. Nature makes such persons, now and then.
and ordinary people take them for granted and accept
them as matter Of desert with very little with no
idea of their exceptional worth 1t is only when they
absent themselves that their intrinsic value Is sur
missed.
Miss Ada Relan is almost alone upon the American
stage at this time wholly authoritative and fas-
cnating personality in the art Of acting Iu whatever
character she appears she instantly arrests attention.
when she is never forgotten The number
of persons who produce that effect is small number
and this fact is not to ignored by the observer OF the
contemporary stage. If Miss Ada Rehan is not an
actress of the first order In the art OF comedy then
there is no actress of the first order in the art OF
comedy ON the American stage at this time. No other
actress Of this PERIOD with the sole exception OF MISS
Ellen Terry, exercises anything like the same degree
Of fascination upon the public mind. Detracuon can
not affect that result 1t is established. And when
she has left us the fact will be realized, more
and more Within the season that ended last
night, Miss Ada Rehan has, among other things, SET
before this public two OF the most Important
elemental identities that are existent In the universal
drama. She has embodied Lady Teazle and she mas
embodied the Italian Pierrot. The former she made
than has hppn
name ON any stage within the memory of this genera
ton. Her Lady Teazle was an actual woman and no'
stage puppet decorated with courtplaster. DIG
presented woman who had only recently been counr
ry girl and who was become fine lady, on wnom
the garb of afectatlon did not hang with perfect
fitness howsoever gracefully worn. She mane HUI
human and good, and she made her brilliant ANei'
NAV be observers Iextant who have seen truer per
Torrance of Lady Teezle. 1t is easy to tax aoou.
Mrs Arlington and Mrs. Jordan and Nine. Ves'rN anu
Ellen Tree But, with distinct recolecuon on eVeiy
representative of Lady Teazle within the iaso .if%
years IL is not possible TO doubt that Miss ADA hea
performance Of the part is as near TO nature US any
Woman ever came and is unique in personal charm
When she played Pierrot she sounded the whole scale
of human feeling. 1t simply marvellous feVe@
ton of personal and artistic resources. NO suc wofh
had been done by any other woman on our stage ~
our time. Every note was struck ana every hovo
that WAS struck was sounded true That this fact was
not appreciated goes for nothing Fine things seldom
are appreciated at FIRST and they never are 49,
Sy cRawbscons who so to the theatre in order thsi
they may indulge in the national gufsw Pierrot nac
to be withdrawn because the public old not vail nh ~,
csprice and il survives public Ignorance Few nonons
are sillier more pernicious tlan inc h9ton p a
PUBIC Sn wise and true the case would be changed
but seeing that they are born nothing Oh ue MIN INV
thinker win waste his time with botherng about teir
views one way or another when the question is one OF
artA o,.o,,oonts .bo. Mics Rehan has set before us
this season are entirely out of the common course OF
things and such they prove her to be an exraOe
thaS she disappears from our stage Yesterday after
noon she enscted the Princess m Loves Lab0rs
Valentine OSPREY in The Railroad Of Love" and 50
true admirers of the dramatic art sincerely feel TO-
ward the one American actress Of the dsS VINO e
Ada Rehan win be greatly missed and when she comes
The representation Of The Railroad Of Love- passed
brilliantly and an enthusiasts ana aiecone wen en-
this occasion after a considerable absence from the
bill. MIR. Drew and Mr.. Lewis shared In the cordial
favor OF the house. At the close of the fine scene in
which Miss 2ehan Valentine depicts with such
splendid woman's resentment OF wnat she
the company were twice called before the curtain and
there was vOciferOus call for MI DAILY, VINO came
forward amid friendly cheers, and delivered the follow
Although our season ends earlier than usual this
year Ladies n sna Seore We come bo you % again.
assure you that we are not going 70 pvo ourselves
up z ben Very fortunate to secure Oh extended
lease of this theatre and II will take all the time we
shan be away from New 70 carry out the plans
we may count also upon an extended lease OF your
favor as qnvarylng and as generous as II has been
heretofore. -. - - ..,.our
As you viii from the programme and itinerary cg
mora going 10 seek an Endorsement of the friendly
verdict You have passed upon us from our fTencn
and German as well as from our Ehghsh irleiiu'
abroad +, ..., .ou..u. o., oorrrino
psri,n and our French adaptations in Parls-but am
shall as we have had anS always way rn IN 4e
PI, The nam Therefore, OF my entire company-es-
pecay Lewis Mr. dprs% F' e SofT n S Soa
Seersi wish YOU good night until next Thanksgiving