The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-08
NEW DRAMATIC DIVERSION.
7UO ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS AND A
I'RETENTIOUS REYIVAL.

Two ORIOINAL PRODUCTIONS AND A
PRETENT1OUs REVIvAL
Marie wainwright and "Amy Robsart" at
Paimer's-Frederick Pauldlne and " Tao
struggle OF Life" Mt tho standard
Eight Bells" at tho Union Square.
Gravity and levity were evenly balanced in
the schemes OF the two new plays produced in
this city last night. for Tho Struggle OF Life I"
was in earnest at tho Standard. while Eight
Bells" was In fun at the Union Square. But 1t
was at Palmer's. in revival OF Amy Rob-
sart." that really artistic purpose enjoyed an
agreeable realization. Tho season at this
house was begun with Marie Wainwright rs
the heroine OF Sir Walter SCOTS tale OF Queen
Elzabeth's lovc for the Earl OF Leicester, and
tho Earrs secret marriage to poor Amy
Robsart. The play used was tho old
one made by Andtcw Halliday. In which
Adelaide Nelson is stu remembered by older
attendants at theatres: but 1t had been newly
penncd in some passages probably by Julian
Magnus. with the result OF Improvement.
1t remained drama nj disconnected
Interest. however, and too eplsodic to
hold un audiences attention closely
by means OF any firm or continuous hold on
the sympnthies But 1t was placed on the
stage in n seninly and slightly manner and
although 1t was on tho whole. more
pleasing to look at than to listen to. 1t
generallv. Most OF tho scenery was
excellent. Illuminated Wentworth. where
Amy aud Eiiznbsti met and Leicester was con-
founded. was n truly impressive view. and tho
groupings OF psople in IT were very effective.
sspeciaily in tho final tableau OF tho EdrfS
arrest.
Marie wainwright was fully the gentle
pathetic. and sorrowfnl h"p Hobsdrt which
she was bound to b.. considering her suitable
apI nlinirnhtn talents. Her
performance reached tho limit OF her
power. and oven strained it \ little. in
tho scono OF her revelation to her
sovereign and Ter involuntary runation, q;
her husband; hut even then nor ror,Tny y II, "l
0ccompls sled, 10, WITH, II historical yyiolsnye
Shicl did not iall into theatris rant lo Miss
great ns her most hopeful admirers could have
anticirnted within reason.
But it Is an unexpected triumph on the stage
prise OF this occnsion was the Queen ti,aobst.
9, nnnSns YET M1f Viii, re- "sssaf facility
In the ANY nso sybe nS,Hly shs made he
vocal transi;s between, vehement anger;
passionate love. :, ouerulons vexntion' an h
si S''ss Sn ss,s sHSsFh nTS
dignity had momentary ianseS into awKw wf1
SGis Sasss0P snc TaH Should get /"
sG Hsnry M fes" Wae Gr sno1sh
ter to Iava inspirod n royal love. and there
TO- 9s s0G
ic use. but he did MT Use it. He made few OF
ih s T t"n rows dis.a" He should speak out
q That he can do. But whether he can ms:
the free rom nc,o AR an
Eliza ethan hero must do IS nncsr uncertain - s
sRennx nc With and
efiectval performance was the OLD. iasllinnedly,
hor n q
size manner Of Wallace Bruce a" ,h ho.r
ton Of Amy Robsart.' and we should not dis
courage further use Of romants dramas Inn 6 y;
this one. Miss WanwriGhts own achievement
was quite sufficient to enhance her "wn fame anne
aud to deserve SUCCESS for hor whole venture.
"The Struggle Of Life" MT the Standard.
The history Of melodrama in Broadway
theatres Is not radiant. as almost everybody
knows. Within decade there has been no
triumph worthy to chronicle among proud
nchieveme nts Of the native stage. 20 far as
concerns the sensational drama. when Broad
way audiences solely have been appealed to in
its behalf. Yet there are. presumably. inteli-
gent and assuredly courageous persons
who have not been wise enough to learn the
lesson that the vast public long ago committed
for there are still. it seems, vain hopes that
nelodrama may flourish with select audiences.
and there still are mon who are not afraid 10
back their belief extravagantly
Tho Struggle OF Life" which was act
cd for the first time at the stand
ard last night. Is clear case In
point j. vas written years nsI by WILLIAM m
d1 i1as 10 his Nephew. Fredsrick Paudns for
brought forward last night with a In,ishness
OF detail and pre- lsa,y OF sSpGhIit lure te
id ohs r y. the dead authors eSecuiors They
saw 10 it that the scenic e1uipment was me
hsy d n@ s ta s1aes
cry man. musician. nor, mechanics; and
money w soa naturally rr sa9ut deal Of
uicto.inl excc!lrnre IN modern theatrics-
s,us4s 81 s crsa,sa som1 bs1nS
and end q in admiration "i Us picture The
story 1t tx etched VAS tho old old one OF the
Ihe paths it Tod Tho spectator lnto we're
the dnrksomc ones Of lin snrrw anh o vlo in
the heart OF the . regions. and the culors t. ey
sprenl uron the stannnra'. tirons ant wings
10 be accurate also 10 be generous in this
ease. Nothing better than the scenic outfit 4, Of
tied bs it !. Broalway theatre audience.
Tnose wizards ., no brush those mMasleians
s S3ss' All i IN. sSSs th n a;ashsa 70
Of th.. ra,itry ,Go harpor; The dives; and ~
NNuries OF tho ciy ind all we're painted I,'; with
With this one excellence OF pictorial effect.
praise OF The struggle. OF Life stops short.
The play in itself ], tho rnnke-t bpsh. De;
void OF literary quality or smoothness. absurd
in Its construction, distorted IN its charac-
TOR drawings ana feeble in it's eli.
makes Il is as weak an example OF
i,erver. cd ambition as this stage has witnessed
In years. sever before. perhaps. has 30 much
badness Of matter been arrayed In attire so
me Z Was Of h a' Wekea
Giiy.' or >" The Gr!mes. Of The lire.
trieyab!o Meiropoiis. ut which Bowery
gatherings have hitherto howled with
delight. a bad man, has wrongly
convicted his rival in love OF the double crime
OF forgery aud unfair. card playing. The suf-
ierns hero has Go,e West and returned ned viii,
a search Tor his onemios. INSPECTOR Byrnes
IL the nns NsTSbo ysup news ns Siss
Arc The uete,tive,. aud their clues lead
them from the font q st. pat.sks Cathedral ;n
it Is wild. weird tale. iiors00th. It is Christ Christ