New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-20
THE DRAMA-ART.
Mr.. JEFFERSON AND Mr.. FLORENCE IN
1.-THE HEIR AT LAW.1

Mr.. Jefferson and his associates, at the Card,
Theatre last night, gave representation Of the "a
comedy Of "The Heir at Law" and this was seen VITA
delight BY numerous audience. An expert oplnL.,
upon the proficiency of Mr. Jefferson as Dr. panel,-
and of Mr.. Florence as ZeleI Homespun will scsr,.
at this late day, be expected The thoughtful pubs
long ago accepted those embOdmens with bount.o,,
satisfaction recognizing them equally effective a..
correct. Every Judge OF acting knows that ~
jefferson has emphasized the humanity In the oa.,
acter Of DR.. Pangloss, and in that way has mad. Ls
Iovable in his ecoentricity well comIcal In A.
humor Every such observer also knows that n.
Florence has made Zedel Homespun almost q raDan,,
person, and entirely % pleasing one, by his M,
sincerity and simplicity, in personality and IN .,
nations that arc hisipd and conventional. Ts..
comedians are successful beyond prasc in the exep,
OF their wise and right purpose IN dealing with tAn.
characters. The thought that Is suggested hoxsy,,
by this revival Of "The Heir at Law" has retsruo.
rather to the general potenuaty of tho art Of scu,
than 10 the particular excellence OF individual ao,
That old play left TO ITSELF would inspire no fnt.r,s
IL contains, indeed, some clever equlvoke and Nan.
neat satire but 10 is antiquated, and in portions 4,
heavy Treated in an original way by Mr.. Jenex,
1t steadily pleases and this fact should Instruct as s
in acting the essential thing is not much what "a,
do rs how you do 1t.
Puriss, indeed, always declaring that the po.c
is in the writing; that the Old comedies a,
sacred; that only TO recite them is 10 enchant A.
world that no celestial comma or holy hypher an
be omitted from them without sin: and that a.
alteration of a sentence In any one Of them hde,,
scrilege Facts all the same, keep their way vikor
regard 10 mysteries and 1t is fact that most Of tho
old PLAYS owe their vitality, such nc IL Is, not b a.
writer. but to the actor No play Of the past-ss
even one OF shakespearesis ever acted with absoict
fidelity 10 the original text Not for many yeas-er
cent by way of scholastic experiment-has that ~
been accomplished. The public that sees the aHs
AZ Law in Mr.. JeffersOn's production Of IT. acos
inely. sees an amended version, animated BY Iv.,
soul OF to-day, and therefore the public Is interested
amused. and impressed. The success exempBHes IL
one thing essential on the stage-the art OF the sc1
Dir. PanQloss. as Colman drew him. IS hardly nor. a
the surface than shallow. trivial, rather vags al
certainly reprehensble advenurer; but Dr. fanglosA
mits of both moral and humorous ennchment I'd
this has been impaired TO him by Mr.. Jereroa-vs
is a philosopher as well an artist, and who kgu
that In hnTnan nature seKiustlhcation Is catts
nrincipIe To elevate the part and IN that vyn
redeem and endear it, without impalring is ntVx1
atty has been the Comedians purpose, ana h1 Er
so no fuIdIs with consummate discretion and tss
The old play-perfectly thread6are to all spesSsH
except novices-seemed last night Ike new o,s ,
cause the performance OF it, in every essential N
had all the fneness OF texture that IS IN old a N
out even the slightest hint OF a musy naVsar
obsolete style.
Mr.. Jefferson has materially improved HIS Aeha
company by adding to 1t Mr. j. II. Barnes ahh
W. +. owen. These are actors OF large eips1se
and trained ability and the finest stage buslnexs
Safe in their hands Mr.. Barnes has fine natual H.
tinction and at the same time certain robust orr
demeanor and these qualities make his enhodln1i
brings TO all representations the quanty OF ncn "
conscious humor such as readily gains the sympsT
az his auditor and long remains in his pleased nnn
brance The dense mental condition of old DOWN.
was aptly denoted by him.