New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-16
THE DRAMA.
LOVE ON CRUTCHES.

The comedians at Days Theatre obey the genial
Injunction Of Shakespeare and cultivate that merri-
ment which soothes a thousand cares and lenstnehs
life. They do this however. in a spirit OF renhe-
ment. and not with vacuous lev,y, and therein they
mark precisely the difference between good ana
evil in the forms OF contemporary theatrical effort
that tend to public recreation. Love on Crutches
which revived at Days Theatre last nigh''
and was acted in spontaneous manner. ana win
brilliant vigor Is both. farce and a comedy lt Is
a farce for the reason that some OF its characters
and incidents are extravagant.-that IL TO say are
humorously dscordant with probability,-nnd II IL
a comedy because 1t Is n picture OF manners the
tone of 1t is pure and bright and the enect OF IL ~
delightful This piece had not been acted Tor seVera
years. and 1t had therefore. some OF the effect OF
positive novelty. Its with the house was de-
cded.
The drift OF this play is satirIcal ridcule OF false
sentiment. and the weapon thus employed Is comic
situation rather than didactlc pfecept. The habitual
playgoer Will doubtless recall that the merrimen In
this instance is created b. portrayal OF evanescent
matrimonial disturbance, sequent the fact that
young husband and his young wife, who have mar
red rather from convention than from love. are
engaged In secret correspondence with each other
each supposing the other to be "A stranger. An
elderly couple and pair Of lovers are implicated IN
the chase ~ letter by these persons since the
advent Of "Henrette, "-afterwarj called a SCRAP
OF Paper, in the 'ong distant bright Gays OF
Wallacks Theatre. nothing Of this kind has passed
off brilliantly than did the second act OF this
charming play last night. Miss Rehan. as Annls
Austin has 10 assume character that Is easy ior
her.-a Lovely. caprcious woman. true AT heart
I and perpiexed by many opposing Impulses She
carried every with fluent feeling. AMI nm
pressed her auditors alike with spendor OF presence
and with delicious alterations OF demure mischief
and passionate sincerity. 100
The public gave a glad welcome to Mrs Gilbert
upon whose first entrance the applause was en-
thusiastlc and long TO die away. Mr. sidney Her
bert was conspcuously successful as The phles-
matte semi-cync changed into the ferVent lover
An important incident OF this niehi-at when only
"A passing glance il giVcn,-was the hrst ap-
the line OF parts formerly allotted TO John Ore"
Mr. Worthing was welcomed with manifest ana
eager satisfaction. He has an expressive counte-
nance and IL evidently man OF refinement, s.flsI-
bilty keen intelligence ana positive talents Iher"
were signs OF agitation I'm his performance
and there were signs of immature professional eN-
perience but the impcrsonation or the s"htl
inentalst merging into the jealous hUsbanu
was clear coherent. round. firm ana very hsr'eaOiy
effective Love Clutches has h"en SCI III
scenery OF a luxurious kind. and with furniture
and decorations OF much beauty. The set TOT tne
second act might well serve as n model TOT thrte
and elegance, No piece could have been better
chosen than this IL for The Christmas season
which IL now at hand. \ numerous hs~embIaRe OK
The most cultivated people In the capitai. saw u
with the warmest approval and Went away rom
! n i'm happiness Every part was My played INC
comnany has gained "A most pleasing actress IN
Misc Svhll Carlsle-who possesses alllring grace
and sparkling animal spirits combined WIN rare
Gay,hiiity OF style This II the cast In 'ull;