New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-04
THE DRAMA-MUSIC
DALY,S THEATRE" THE PRODIGArr

This play eXempies the first principles OF dramatic
art drama is not something that is said but soma
thing that is done. The soul Of drama is action
Words can be discarded from true drama without in
jury to its movement The first two acts of Macbeth
the whole play OF Otheo," the Library Scene in
"The School for Scanda-ll these could be acted and
would be perfectly Ineligible without one spoken
word. The faculty TO make play is the faculty to
tell story by Of deed and not by OF talk
II is special and exceptional faculty. and the reason
why many writer's often OF the highest order, do not
succeed when they try TO write drama is that this
faculty happens not TO be one OF their possessions
They can furnish abundance of language. but they
cannot furnish action. Their people talk and talk,
and talk and nothing is done except what is done in
the mind. They do not practically know that a play
should be addressed first OF all to the eye and through
that to the heart, the Imagination, the mind. Tha
ear becomes implicated later. Language. OF course,
has its value ard as remarked By Shakespeares King
Henry the Eighth 1t is q kind Of good deed to say
well.o But in work intended for the stage tA
language must be tributary TO the movement. flowing
naturally out Of it and out OF the characters participant
In the plot. Words not the first thing essential
In seeing Pierrot the PrOdigal," which last nigm
had its first representation at Days Theatre where
1t enjoyed by brilliant company OF representa-
tive people, the observer may study acting at in
source and may perceive the large possibilities tia
are inherent in pantomime when applied with IN
tcllectudl puTpUSc W uI.utuO NSi"N' ~''> NN-D
in this instance is the momentous one OF vp~a
human experience in the strife between good and
evil. The story is elemental. A pure ana amiaoie
YOUTH the child Of worthy parents, fails INTO SIN
for the sake of false woman who mas oe"itchea
him and thereafter through crime and trouble, sinks
into ruin and misery but at last he comes back re-
pentant u his home, and he Is forgiven Dy thc ldtsr
ard mother whose love for him 1t IS NOT possible possible
that ANYTHING can destroy. This thing has always
happened, and it continues To happen every aay.
No picture OF life could be more simple or more true
- "A
Ing it was cnvironed by scenery fashioned and
fitted with exquisite taste, ana II was d Maee bs,a a
The incidental music, composed by Anure Mormsa,
proved at all points opposite ana H@r o ssS
desired BY the spectators OF her graceful person. the
absence OF language passed. for once substantially un'
The experience of centuries, though must in all
things prevail at last If the best way IN 2 drama rama
been adopted. 4 play without words Is good but z
play with words is better e PRIME n sdnea ii al
gave last night eiucdaes the methods and principles
Of acting, and thus IL imparts rare dement, IL de-
rived great charm this instance from Its develop
ment of personal characteristics. some OF me best
shown on this occasion, and it was all the more
emphatic in its effect because Of its concentraaoa on;
like a woman playing a man. The abandonment TO
masculine identity was complete, yet never ndeicate,
the admirably impetuous ard comical writing Of the
love letter. in act first she completely csptvaea dns
to temptation, exemplifed in his hesitancy between
he loss Of his unhalowed love and the robbery Of
his parents she touched every heart The success OF
this bold experiment wa. no longer in doubt after
that moment aud at the fall Of the first curtain Ada
called amid plaudits that betokened genuine genuine
and loudly aPpaTsGd In act second the excellence eds
spicuously revealed she is the coguette, and when
to the gaming table 10 win money for her by cheat
ing at cards she receives me addresses OF %eait ny
society runs away from her beggaed lover The types
and the incidents steadily conventional IL no'
difficult to assume the one or to denote the other'
The difficulty is, 10 be interesting IN these tine coha
tons Miss Prince assumed the vain, shallow, IcKle,
heartlcss coquee in such way as 10 leave not one
trait unspeclfed. seldom is seen perSonauon 30
cruelty true. set off with personal beauty so exactly
harmonious with the character. There Is some clevef
pantomimc business for the parents, in the first act
father noddng over his newspaper M bSsh OF t9eh
G W Tas very re Of loneliness
and sorrow In their beeaved home at the last nag
also great felicity Of nature Ada Reas coh Ssno 3.
ment Of her command Of the resources Of dramatic arr
she was strong in the exRe'0n q ' never looks .
bleak when love awakens to The @ t ds.
Geyos na desers sRs was ann touching
her simple pathos at the a., end OF me me play vpSe
the changes are many the movement is incessan; tho
strain Of feeling is severe treat eAoeaeit arn ny
nXury TO see how penddly the reserves OF her pure
human heart her fresh humor and her innate refine
memt endured rhis exacting test At certain moments
in The scene with the Phryne TO the unpaid bills she
acted exactly in Jefferson's manner oot spohtaleonsy
and because she has, the kindred spring OF laughter
Later in The season Mr.. Daily will make revival Of
height OF its success. and he VIII revive other come
dies that have met with special faVOf al MS heauc'
The necessary preparations complete for the pro.
dmcton of Loves Labor Lost" and it is sikely that
with the Shakespeare Revival the season at TINS mouse
will lie brought 10 a dlgnifed and graceful close