New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-04
TIE e DRAMA.
MIR. DREW

company especially organized for his professional sup
port appeared at Pamer's Theatre last night in
iarccal piece called The Masked Eal,' and was re-
:eivcd with unbounded favor Mr.. Drew, for long
time and for many welcome upon our stage
Is especially welcome he represents In the art
OF comedy the spirit OF youth and hope and Joy.
In our utilitarian civilization there is need OF the joy
ous element and men and women bW whom 1t is i'm
parted are public benefactcrs The ministration OF
mere hlarity. indeed, is an influence that
has been pushed to excess, and IT ought TO be
pressed Itther Qan invigorated-for it promotes
vacuity of mind. pertness. slang. and a and
common strain Of manners. The ministration OF
joy on the contrary, is a sweet and gentle influence
dhlsing rehnem Mt. humor and kindness. and It's
augmcnteO prosperity must be deemed public
benefit In each successive theatrical generation this
spirit has lad its representltlyes-actOrs who have
gained tfe affection well as the admiration OF the
people by contributing TO make them happy
Estcourt and Wilks and Lee Lewis and
Bannlster the ate Charles Mathews and the late
Lester WALLACE were artists OF that kind and John
Drew comes OF that lineage, and surely has earned
rank in that onorable company.
The An srcal audience OF this day Is not prone to
the prciptate recognition of fine abilities in persons
who dc not clfim prominence Amid the strife and
tumut and a. Of the passing hour you must blow Il
trumpet II wish to be heard. The actor who
has proved h right should not be hastily censured
for wishing &c his printed in capital letters
at re head OF the bill. Many spectators will discern
virtues In hin, when that is DONE which they
perceived Def re- 1t is the way of the world. And
yet. In the case of Mr.. Drew. liberal measure of
popular apr eciation might well be assumed His
presence las for years been delightfully."- familiar lie
Is ar Image OF grace. He possesses rcpose, indi-
vduaty, cOolness drollcry, the talent of apparent
spon aneiy, and the faculty Of crisp execution His
temperament, indeed. seems TO lack the irradant
power Of emotion his countenance is not mobile his
style is not distinctly flexible; and lie has never vet
fyppe tbo
the ag" Of such fne old comedy actors rs Fred
ericks and v rdock and Mathews and Wallack ut
their best. notably fell OF their standard for
instance, IN Mrabel lie has yet to win heir laurel I'm
such oharaottrs Harry Dornton and Dorcourt and
Don Felix IN the other hand he gained admirable
eminence as Charles surface. and he has surpassed
all the young of his day the gay cavalier and
the bauternt farceur Of the drawing room drama Of
modern soca life. His grace, person and tcmpera-
adj rably harmonious with characters OF the
strain den q by Sir Charles COldstrcam and by
Jasper-sppo~ltes yet participants in the DELE
mental qualities His vein of gu zzca wonder Is natural
and Is unoommOnly rich and deep lie alternate
bland compospre with playful CELEBRITY. and he can
create effects OF perfect miIh with both. lie speaks
the la igage clearly, swectly and with fine precision.
He kn,ws the full value OF the pause the glance the
infect on. the sapient look and the demure
He is delightful in the vein Of equivoke and has
absolute command OF il. lie l. thorou -hly In
and his attitude toward his is that Of Intellectual
purpos, and authority. Mr.. Drews acting further
more. Dlumined with the lustre OF high principle,
personal purity and life OF thought ard refinement.
NOblensss and grace In art are absolutely dependent
nObeness and grace IN liie and no ACTOR reaches
the stineton to which Mr. Drew has attaue1 without
deserving 1t.
Ar actor thus predestined to art and thus equipped
for IL night well be expected TO attempt the achieve
rnent Of hieh things. The comedy that duplicates
deep feelnc t. OF course. the highest kind Of comedy,
and humor paikles best when it sparhleS over tears
CODtemps eous taste, however. an0d> but hilc en-
cOur gem to serious endCavOr. The tendency oi
the age live for the ,enscs and 10 exclude from
the pros everything that even resembles adInJ-
nitiof a. the gravity Of life Everybody wishes
TO have loOd Time. and nobody wishes To De re
minded the best Of cd times must come 10
S wi maxi ope laugh oO and the bet Of diem deem
This end f- does not involve the complete abandon
ment Of # and heart Mr.. Drew is an artist. and
he ghtt slss on maintaining that posture before i
be den0.es discreet consideration for the popular
appetite together with thrifty disposition to profit
three act roughly adapted-whout either ingenuity
Of mssh, N or saee o; p9nseng , Of re o 1
the siiuai becomes "quyoca In the adspta0 0,
L eb Of adrfous ind S n.ctiy impos ibc
maxi The nbstanee Of the play. such Component
part> ciIfl.i b. viewed graVe!s. 10 c"h7lcef lh'n
thus weulc be to see vulgar and Jealous teTInavant
who bats Ter foolish spouse; a lady WIG, never
masquerade oal and who finds it cxredent to pretend
TO be drunk when She comes hone; ana hn1nnd
= and who propose, f,ticuifs cXpcdeni
Of ageance. The morals in short. would then be
anu aS h uep" ncnc in 5nes WOOL The story relates
the efforts Of Dr. Biaude-who has married Susanna
Der amei. and In - doing has acted unfairly ~ ms
ined Louis ,SI yNar ,cr rdm mren 3a coming
10 IN explanation. Those efforts result In sehdihg
lie, is 70 aland and thus melting The fury Of Nine.
7 lar and the comic frenzy OF Dr. Bandei. 10
en tT !G me e fooery 10 momen"ry
and III is the only way IN which TN, piece can on D
upon ; ne OF the expcdcnts, alike OF business ana
q aa age, the moss haS gathered in paresga as
dnftec into compromising circumstances and
who must run the gauntlet t,s no OF r.. m ntnna
been Nc IN theatrical service. Iie still pleases how
ever nd he would always please whg embodied 80
=. character Of susanna was very tascfuly Guided
siiy BY Miss Maude Adams. All the PLAYERS seemed
srd Mr. DIeW-nanaly mTGn enoton
INTO h@rshness and eNtnvaganee was ei'S nUw
ever. T his audience OF friends to make al neediu
by VI Drew was In no way stronger 'lian hi,e ,ll
PR. he has often created before nownhelther was
corde IN T h1s nvor Iro can va" dignity arcca sa
tons BY comedy treatment and this he did ~ certain
from his shrewish part ner-with cOnsummae skill and
sddress lie brilliant amid common surrouhaihgS Is.
not vet in absolute harmony. and the pee is very
Soan egel%s r OF very common n E Yac G
and was repeatedly recalled and at the fal Of the
second curtain he delivered. with earnest feeling.
graceful speech. in which he Offered tribute OF
fiendshp appreciation and gratitude 10 his old mana
FER. Aucustn DAILY. "Thc Masked Ball" was prctillY
set by Mr.. T.. W. Tresbrey, and 1t acted with the
Following cast:
paul HOndet John Drw
Jo.cDs roaiard ii. partner HarSoca
LOUIS MhrthOt...
Npls"ur BefROmat y. IInliic ann
'Rsnr Frank f. IaTb
fIrthne HiOn1'. NI'r,'
Nadine Poulard virginia Iucl anan
Madame Bergomat. ann, huims
hose lima" fiD'''''