The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-03
A NEW PLAY FROM LONDON.
SYDNEY 9RUNDT's "SoWINo TEE
WIND ACTED Ar TEE EMPIRE

The Latest WORT 90 ths E-sush Play
wright HriIIisntiy nnterprsted NJ Charles
Frohnna's Stock Company Mrs.. jobs
Drew Revives :" The RIvsis'-oiher Pi.ys.
There we're reasons enough for the Empire
Theatre being filled last evening By an audi
ence both fashionable and intelligent A PLAY
that had been very successful in London was
bound to be regarded highly By modlsh New
Workers when perfvrme ed In one OF their own
favorite theatres That IL was the latest work
OF Sydney Grundy. interpreted by members OF
the Charles Frohman stock company, aroused
the interest Of discerning observers OF the
drama. So the affair was enGrossing. and sat-
isfactory. too. for Sowing the Wind" was
powerful piece admirably acted. The
Frohman players are so numerous and tai
ented that they respond easily to the very DIFF
ferent demands Of the productions at that
house. Tho treatment OF Mr. Grundy's matter
was liberal and expert altogether. from the
speaking OF the words to the setting Of the
scenes. from the largest effects to the smallest
details but nothing else Is expected on the
stage OF 1rst grade. so accustomed have we
become TO q style Of theatricals that was
deemed rare and remarkable twenty years
ago. It was the tremendous intellectual
power OF the play itself. however. that won the
success that attended last nights perform
ance. The author presented the case Of a
girl. who remained pure in spite OF q rear
ing among foul surroundings. and who
was made to suffer acutely. Notwithstanding
her own unstained character. because che had
been born out Of wedlock. Mr.. Grundy has
written direct and iorclbe exposition OF the
theme. not grossly and heartlessly. yet with
uncompromlslnR plainness and o; irresistible
force. THE Sun has already described the
work rs It was acted in London. and the pro-
found impression made by it there. The same
effect was wrought at the Empire.
The personages in this play are marked
characters. Mr.. Brdbdzon Is q widower with
an adopted son. Ned. whom he desires to
marry to the eligible Mss Fret,ceH; but Ned
girl Rosamo,iG a singer who Is discovered d' to
be OF illegitimate birth. Mr.. BraJaSon opposes
Hed's choice, on account Of the smirch. on
her to his heart; and the matter ends well with
ot The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" or "A
the repeant eRsrastrs Of n sish aGhG Mr.
Pinero's or Mr., Wilde's piece. The conse.
auenees Of social sin are shown. but none Of
pleyyriiEhts named. He has even subordi::
dramatic assertion. illustration. and discus
sioa Of a, social problem: An audience with
S STaR' IS s s%Sss' tho for wna. gained ss
By Its s rs It New YORK y vii
Grundy is too portentous to he natural. and
some q the passages are weighted too heavily
scenes is not usually adrolt These faults are
partly hidden in the manners, costumes, and
for other excuse they seem suitable to the
rugged and positive style Of the work, giving
to Il q dignity which it might not otherwise
:, The players distinguished themselves finely.
For Viola Allen particularly IL was very
ton was what was needed in the delivery, OF
k?SSamonGs long and ringing speeches. Mr..
ceilent In the guise OF the old man who had
sowed the wind; Heartior or more prolonged
scsne o, n recoGnon Is NOT Often Sesad
In theatre. Mr.. Compton as q bluntly honest
Englishman. Mr.. THOMPSON as an old social
were all capital. So were Miss Robson and
Miss Miller Hs ally mother and nd simPerIpg
scenery was beautiful
The continuanees OF plays at our theatres
need be no moro than mentioned. save to say
that Sweet Lavender will enjoy the Lyceum
companys fine performances only to the end
OF the week. For spectacular pieces We have
The Voyage OF Suzette' at the American and
America" at the Metropolitan Opera House.
But there is plenty Of ornate sights in the
comic operas. The Princess Nicotine" at the
Casino and Robin Hood" at the broadway,
The plays that remain in their accustomed
places are Temperance Town" at the Mad;
f tSe Aeassmr Of d
the standafds, "Air Mrs. at the star 1403" az
Garden. "A Woman OF No Importance" at the
Fifth Avenue. and The Corner Grocery at
the Germania-
The vaudevilles offer The Pirates OF Pen
Eance" at the Union Square and q circus at
Proctor's. besides an abundance OF specialties
to make up the usual twelve-hour shows at
those theatres. remarkable troupe OF jap
anese jugglers nre at Roster Il Bial's, besides
Sandow. Bellwood. and others to compose q
Companies Is at Pastors and Herrmann's con,
tain many favorites, as well rs several new
Corners, So take 1t all around. We are we'll OF
Tor vaudeville.
The weekly changes OF well-known enter
talnments may be briefly summarized, be-
cause their qualities are time-trled and very
generally approved A return OF the bur-
lesquo. "Paniandrum." aud the popular bur-
Iesauers. De,wOlf Hopper and Della Fox. is to
DO noted In favor OF the Harlem Opera House.
where an uncommonly strong series OF plays
Is announced for tho rest of the season. "A
" Pupil in Magic" is reproduced by the LiiIpu-
tIans at Niblo's where the small comedians Of
nsh The Grsad 'H Gpsis aou sS
has The Hustler" with all the fun
that John Kernel and his fellow come
S Isas ss S y Ss fS6P S SRa shH \
South for a first Bowery engagement and
with Joseph Grlsmer and PhPbs Davies for
its interesting hero and heroine. Monte |
Carlo" the Columbuss new farce. was re-
viewed In THE SUN Yesterday. The revival OF
The Rivals F" at the Fourteenth Street brings
back to our stage for only week, the un-
riynlled Mrs.. MddDrOp OF Mrs. John Drew. The |
eyed fse fSa has ISs lost MT Of her ability
effective .humor, all In the traditional
manner. but with her own artistic COM
cess OF the part as she plays 1t.
As to the Rob Acres OF Sidney Drew. II is COM
plstely unsatisfactory. because II neither fol-
lows the traditions nor makes departure in a |
good new diroction. 1t may be that MIR; Drew
Intends giving portrayal like that OF Joseph |
Jefferson. but only in abiuring boisterousness
does his acting resemble Mr.. JsfeTson's for |
the quietude 10 almost mean ngless and
hardly ever provocative OF laughter HoS,