New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-15
A SOCIAL FANTASY~ AT THE LYCEUM

| Merry Gotham at the Lyceum Theatre last even
ing left confused and unsatisfactory impression on
tie audience. From the bill Of the play the reader
learns That this Is social Fantasy. IN Four Parts,
adapted and arranged from the French for this theatre
! By Miss Ellzaoeth Marbury. II Is well 10 call Ii
fantasy. for lacks construction and Conference. IL
! Is almost feess far as action is concerned and
with the slowest OF gates, but tlere plenty
Of talk and much OF the dialogue Is both pointed and
pleasing. Indeed the conversation is often full Of
| vivacty. and many Of the lines glitter and fash.
But there Is painful lack Of sharply defined char
acierizaon, and some OF the persoDages too pre-
posterOus for farce. Merry Gotham" Is In.
tended to reflect TO some extent at least tracts and
types OF Newlorb social life: but in no city, least OF
all Now York. be found any person who at all re-
| sembles the ridiculous John Randolph De Ruyter who
| i called "a banker and newspaper backer.' but
who Is rprescntcd debating impossible editorials I'd
| a crotcSlue private secretary.
The cast is long but not that will dwell In
| the memory. Few Of Sir. Frohman's company seemed
at In their posts. The one conspicuous success
OF the evening the acting Of Fritz Williams as
Arthur Decker. a cotilonlcader. who. when the play
opens. Is tO marry In few days n New York school
girl whom lie has never seen. In fact he has never
had even a photograph Of her to gaze upon. That
Is Of the fantastic devices OF this strangely
trived a" fantasy Mr. Williamss scenes with Miss
Ee shannon and Miss Bessie Tyree pleased the house
much that he received Nearly all OF the really hearty
favor OF the audience Sylvia Cameron Miss Georgia
Cayvan was suffering from a cold that she
was any thing but the dashing young widow that the
play called for and her efforts TO do Justice to her
part In these circumstances must have been pain
full an ailicon to herself they
TO the audience. Herbert Kelley Jasper
Ronalds' had very little to do and apparently took
very little Interest In the affair any way. such
peculiarly strcaked " black Sheep Eugene ormonde
made OF Harvey Gregory could never in any condition
OF affairs have obtained admission 10 societys sheep
folds W. J. Lo Moyne, gay and gallant Wall
street broker OF advanced years. a married man. but
carried away by irrcpressble devotion TO charming
women in general. was diverting, he always is in
light comedy playing and ii. Bayntun merits . word
OF praise for his neat and finished work as Tom
Clyde.
As a matter Of course the piece was well set and
the scenery called out applause. But the canvas Is
not worthy OF the frame. Here is the cast:
Jasper nonads. country gentleman, serious
Arthur Decker. a6orer sooie,ys vineyard A~''"
Fritz Williams
ThSoiOGS Forst t. ioo Muswump in politics
Harvey gregory. black sheep in socetys '"'
John Randolph BE- Ru,te ter banker and Is'' 0'''"a'
Amory Stargis a broker beau and utterly -'''
Duncan Scott a tourist Ia search Of topics ''''"'
No.. c,n,, ...,.,.., .., ......., Charles Harbury
Eugene valuable addition any family August Cook
William Mills, De Nuyters secretary aud
socetys reporter Walter Bellows
Footman John Iamersly
Mice Darlington, young widow Mas Cayvan
sylvia Cameron, q Western flower trunsplanted
IN society's conservatory Ellie Shannon
Miriam De Ruyter. a youthful exponent OF mod.
ern educate Bessie Tyrse
MIS-. J. Il. De Ruyter always with society
but without memory Mrs Charles Wacos
Ms. Amory Stuggs, famous for balls and
bon mots Mrs. Thomas Whfen
Miss Livingston, "bnhy" OF age.
but u certain Intentions Miss Elliott Page
Mrs ~ phcn Clyde sOcicys auhorcss Josephne Forest
julie Of varied accomplishments Ada Curry
Nine IarOi.nes Albertna Bcrtran