New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-26
mansion and fingered long while around the dining
room.
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
THE NEW EMPIRE THEATRE.


The opening OF the Empire Theatre was pleasantly
accomplished last night, and another commodous
play house Is within the public reach An eager and
kindly audience attended. and a new play. by Mr..
David Belasco and Mr.. Franklin Fyles, called "The
Girl Left Behind Me-" observed with interested
attention and welcomed with friendly zeal. It Is an
excellent piece Of romantic mclodrama, and there Is
every reason to anticipate that 1t will hold the taes
and have O successful career. II belongs to
the class Of dramatic compositions repre-.
sented by Doucicaultss "Jessie Brown ana
Augustin Days IIorizon' 1t portrays military life
on the Western frontier and II duplicates Indians and
soldiers In the United States service. Much Of It's
spirit and color have been derived from Coopers LAST
OF the Mohicans." The scene Is an army post. and
the environment OF the sentimental story Is revolt
Of the Indians and an impending peril for garrison
almost defenceless. That situation has long been
familiar. 1t Is, however, used In this new play
with felIcitous ingenuity, and 1t Is decorated
with incidents o. exciting interest. The preliminary
proceedings Of the lady who Is It's heroine and whose
conduct has paved the way for its action Is inex.
plcable but they answer their design. This lady
loves one OF her two lovers but, without cause or
reason or sense, and against nature and probability,
she has engaged herself TO marry the other. me
man chosen Is scoundrel. lie has seduced and
abandoned the wife of an officer in whose regiment
he IS now enrolled. Retrbution Is coming to him
In this Army Post on the frontier, and amid ali the
horrors of an Indian mutny.
Like many other plays OF open-air life this one
Is heavily laden with triyiaes. 1t opens for
example, with the arrival OF a young doctor from
Quebec $50 that he may be English, who proceeds
Immediately to confde all his affairs to pert, hoyden
country girl with basket OF berries. These two
battle their hands and dry them the
girls understands, which she conveniently
be hmor. There Is speech. likewise. In act first
delivered by general to file OF soldiers. All such
frank and stern judgment SHOULD exirpate and
at once 10 IIecuba. The relations between the two
lovers are managed with expert skill. and the treat
ment OF the wronged and suffering officer whose wife
has been lured from him Is still more felcitous.
The Indian episode has been tudiciousy devised
and deity handled. In the second act even-as at
Belgium before Water0O-a ball Is I'm progress while
the cloud of danger and death draws ever nearer.
The element OF suspense IS sustained In way to
arouse an almost breathless interest but the movement
should 10 much quicker; and indeed the pervadng de-
feet Of the piece Is lack OF concentration. Mr.. Belasco
tends much to chdisllness, and overlays all hk
work with frppery. such he supposes will please
desuitory audience. Into a capital scene. accord
ingly, which ought 10 be cumulative with serious
interest comes q sudden Eruption OF BOBBY who has
burnt hole in the top OF his hat and stuck talow
| candle through 1t. 1t Is incredible that anybody
can be so foolish with pen in his hand.
1t would require many words to rehearse all the
relations of the chief characters. Kate kennion loves
Lieutenant Iawksworth, but has promised TO marry
Lieutenant Parlow. The latter will not release her
| from her engagement. Lieutenant Parlow has Sc
duced and abandoned, before coming to General
Kennion's post. the wife Of Major Burlegh. who has
sought thus far in vain, TO discover his wronger.
Lieutenant Parlow IS guilty OF cowardce In the face
OF the enemy, and is spared by Lieutenant Hawks
worth, whom he then privately accuses OF his own
| crime. Festivities In progress at the post An
| Indian mutny occurs. The identity OF Parlow, as
the scoundrel Is discovered by Major Burlegh. ana
the fate persons Is wrought out to Just closs
The play was set In handsome scenery, but not Wen
| managed. 4 remarkably artistic performance was
given By Theodore Robcits-certainy the gem OF .hs
occaslon-s an Indian chief The obnoxious character
OF Priow allotted to Nelson Wheatcroft. Is one mat
requires fine order of dramatic talent for It's adequate
representation, aud the requirement was enuIey iu
| filled This scoundrel Is exceedingly well dramauLe9
and Mr.. Wheacroft played Lin so as 10 WIN ply. ins
situation at the end OF act second Is one OF the pes
| that are remembered. Miss Sidney Armstrong acDeo
with splendid feeling. free. and many an eye must
have grown suddenly dim In looking on tnat patneqo
| climax. Mr.. w. H. Thompson. rs MAJOR bunem
caired great admiration. II natural method be nne ~
Foreigners so II Is In nativesand IL was very samar
anIe In that manly embodiment. The ful cast OF IN
| cha racters should be preserved.
| General Kenni0n.