New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-11
THE DRAMA.
A TEST CASE.


In Days Theatre last night the third r,., a, -,
season at this house had its first representation :,
is called A Test Case; 1t was neatly and hr,gh.,
acted by the principal members Of Mr. DaIv,s COM
pany and was welcomed with laughter bv a crowd q,
gay persons, partly Of the fashionable class II &c
fragile piece, farclcal in plan and In Incident and nm,
for It's frequent pquancy OF froicsome device and
tho generally sparkling manner in which II was acted
IT would have made no impression. II lacks tbs
essential fibre Of character-thc substance ard si,
nihcance that dignihed Little Miss Million: but
on Inc other hand 1t possesses certain concentration
Of comic purpose, together with n continuity q,
sprghtly movement that commend /; to the nconls
who laugh but never think. Thought, indeed. pauses
In the presence Of PLAYS OF this kind with sense q,
being ridiculous. They are not for thought bur for
the pas Ing glance OF careless mirh. Test Caser is
sklt upon the tedious dulnes Of life I'm n countrv
town. A rich old man has allowed his daughter n
marry, but has stipulated that his sonIn-law shall
reside with his bride in the counry-in place named
East Lemons. There the young husband and
wife bored by village nspldity and
nearly allenaled by village tattlc ard gossip.
rowing husband tries the patience OF his fargiyng
spouse that at last she leaves him, but in the end
she is lured back. These two threads OF story are
woven together, and the twisted strand shows some
colors that bright. In so far the piece has
any meaning that memory can treasure. II means TO
say that men and better and happier In
metropolitan life than they in seclusion
IL needs farce come from the Gaul-
or from the TcGton-to tell that.
Man is social animal and he thrives best in com
pany-Only 1t must be company OF the right kni
Mere gregariousness Is not only not a b'essng-it Is
a blight and way in which it blshts Is by making
people all alike, after the manner Of candles In box
American life has especially been injured in that way,
and that is reason why so muoh Of 1t lacks
plquancy variety and interest. However. this piece
has been presented for It's fun and for its les
son. There IS one capital scene in 1t, in which the
truant husband endeavoring TO placate his Offended
wife, and not knowing Of what particular sin he has
been guilty. blunders into the confession Of one that
had not been suspected. Ada Rehan and George
Clark acted in a vein Of natural feeling and With
very fine and delicate coi2lc transparency In
this episode The part allotted TO Miss
Rchan IS far beneath her powers but it affords two
or three opportunities Of effective banter. and Of I'M
prcssive admonitlon, and these the actress In
proved 50 as 10 point a convincing. Il somewhat
tritc moral Mr. Bourcher WAS very admirable rs
the young misunderstanding sentiment piquant by
playful humor and winning sympathy BY an under
tone Of grave sweetness and manly good
nature His bearing is distinguished: his
manner r. that Of innate refinement; his
dramatic method Is honest, hrm ana thorough. IN
every scene upon wlc! he enters be is "A conspicuous
figure and the more he is sccn the more he Is liked.
Mr. DAILY surely has been fortunate In the choice OF
Such an actor. The purposeh revival Of the unch-
back, with ADA Rehan Julia will show Mr. BOurcher
As Clifford and this should prove IN Image OF true sen
mont and natural grace. Mr.. William Gilbert as
Doctor Tinkey, good old fellow who has been al
most ruined by rural stagnation and conventional
wife made a brilliant hit. IT, makeup, I'm action,
AID In revelation OF character under the pressure
Of circumstances. and Also In comic delivery, this
sketch was joyful thing 10 see, and IT will be
Measure I'm memory. Mr.. Lewis has the part Of
the wagdsh obstreperous old martine whom
he impersonates often and always 50 well
Mrs. Gilbert gave A perfect sh't,H VI
comcal female Inul Iry. Mr.. Gresham pre-
sented type OF bland, innocuou' foppery,
ond dd mis- ta,tefully and without excess. Miss
Isabel Irving was In the cast pretty and ardent
yOur.g wife. and entirely pleasing IN that
character THE Test Case Is not an Important play
but II is merry and 1t will please.