New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-24
THE DRAMA-MUSIC
THE GARRICK THEATRE.


Mr.. Richard Mansfield was opened last night. with
a performance of a comedy by Mr. Bernard Shaw.
of London. called arms and the Man. in which
Mr.. Mansfield played the chief part. The house.
which Is at once beautiful comfortable and luxuri-
GUS was crowded,-the audience being remarkable
for intelligence refinement taste and sympathy
and Mr.. Mansfield welcomed with the emphatic
paudits of admiration and friendship. The comedy
OF arms and the Man."-frst presented in this
city, by Mr. Mansfield at the Herald Square Thea
tra on September Il. 1S94.-is known and remem-
bereG. and readers cannot be thought 10 require
particular description of it. The Old paygoer
who recalls Used Up" and Sir Charles Cold
stream. will instantly divine Its quality and Its drift
1t is distinct from that piece but the same spirit of
comic languor and quizzical chan animates both
of them. The choice OF it for this opening was
wise. because Welcome should always smile.
and because the play is light bright facetious AM
leaving the mind peasurably animated. composed,
and refreshed,f just little puzzled The pleasure
of attending dramatic performance without being
plugged full of precep;s and sickened with filth has
become somewhat rare II may be enjoyed at the
Garrick Theatre. and the hope is cherished that it
may be enjoyed for very long time.
In composing arms and the Man" Mr.. Shaw APP
pears to have intended to laugh at many things.
and possibly his laughter is a little cynical. That
way of looking the proceedings OF mankind may
sometimes be salutary. Much that occurs in this
world is exceedingly trivial and most persons ha-
b.tually take themselves with gravity that is
prepos;e ferrous Swift and Sterne long ago observed
that fact, and made commentary on II that still
survives. MIR Gilbert. in his brilliant comedy OF
Engaged One of the most rem. kable plays of
this century.-appllcd TO sham and convention and
nsensatc selfshness the same kind ot caustic sat
ire. in a dramatic method and with drollery.
that irresisubly potent. Mr.. Shaw has fol-
lowed In the same track. and probably with
serious purpose-which. very wisely. he has not
ob;ruded. Some Of the spectators OF Arms and
the Man" made thoughtful b. IT, All persons
laugh at IT, Mr.. Mansfield. Captain Bluntschh
has a character in which Charles Mathews would
have rejoced-and. by his incompatible non
chalance, crisp incisive execution, and whimsical
humor would have made everybody else rejoice,
who beheld him. The situation is Intentionally
tr.te The martial captain flying from the enemy
ntrudes into ladys room and forces her 10
shelter him. The Captain is tired all the way
through. and the lady is romantic all the way
through and each OF them, for time Is an I'M
postor. and both of them all the time. are sur
rounded with humbugs. From those characters
and from the complication in which they are in
voyed, an upside down view of everything has
been cleverly derived. through which you may see
that the most precious things in the world are
truth and simplicity Mr.. Mansfield has, in album
dance the attributes that required for the weary
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS comIosure. whimsical temper
ament, elegance of bearing GOODNESS. bland ef-
fronery. telling vocal delivery. and a clear-cut
style. He acted Captain Bluntschn we'll that
il was impossible to tell whether he in sport
in earnest and therefore his performance was
exactly what ii should be-a perfectly finished ana
delicious piece of mystihcation A somewhat lighter
mood. in act first might lead to a sharper effect
The idea Of being weary might better be conveyed
than the literal. physical condition Of WEAKNESS
There should be touch of suggishness nor any
thing lachrymose in such character. The strain
is elegant buresque. Mr. Mansfield was aided by
several good PROFESSIONALLY the dainty. refined.
and charming Beatrice Cameron. and the sprignty,
mischevous. expert Kitty Blanchard Mirs. Mckee
Rankin. The play acted with the ease and
precision OF competent and trained ability, and 1t
was set in stage pictures Of delicate beauty.
The cheerful opening Of the Garrck Theatre by
Mr.. Mansfield is suspicious dramatic incident.
and that is likely 10 be attended with long re-
suits. 1t is comparatively easy to open theatre
that being matter of capital; but II is not so easy
10 keep II open. Mr.. Mansfield has many advan-
tages Much of his preparatory work has been done
in previous years He does not start as an unknown
man, without prestige and with everything TO win
lie has had ample experience His genius, ability
energy and remarkable versatility have been proved
and known. He has run the gantlet OF adverse
criticism and has overcome the an,agon!sm which
always opposes itself to any new career. lie mas
passed through the smoke and fame OF quarreI ana
controversy He is fortunate alike in his friends ana
his enemies. He has for years bean engaeed IN
rearing the structure OF a national reputation. and
he sses it, All this will help his enterprise now.
The intelligent part OF this public is perfectly wei
aware that Mr.. Mansfield is an excellent actor. and
that the opening Of a new theatre, under his man
agement means something far more than the opening
Of shop. general. theatres are managed by per
sons whose talents would be much more conFenisIy
and usefuly employed II they were dedicated TO the
sale of groceries. Mr. Mansfield has the soul ana
Temperament OF the artist. and he has shown MIN
self TO be keenly conscious OF his intellectual re-
spOnsibility TO the dramatic art and 10 the pubic
This community knows ard feels that ne Will place
his dependence the AIT Cf acting, ana that ne
will DO this not from sordid policy but from con
yction and nature-because II Is right 10 DO So ana
because he could do other wise. theatrical al
rninistratiOn without mistakes Is not 10 De antlcl-
mated anywhere; but no one doubts that MT Mans
teids conduct Will be controlled ana guided by a
worthy motive and noble spirit. and that nothing
base will be permitted In the lovely niue OdT-
rick Theatre, well begun.
Al the end OF act second Mr.. Mansfield ana ms
associate players were called before the curtain
several times and after the last curtain had fallen
Mr. Mansheld-in response TO repeated and long
continued applause-came for~ard 10 receive many
gifts Of flowers, and to make earnest speech. In
which 20 declared the audience to be the best
decorat ton that the theatre could ever have. and
expressed the hope OF seeing IL always decorated
Is on the present occasion.
Miss Cameron acted with remarkable ViVacity
and denure prettiness and glee that were ire
slstibe This is the cast:
Major Paul PetkOr OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Q. Andrews
Major Sergius Saranon Henry Jew"it
Captain Blunisc NIL lNchafd ManHNfd
Catherine JctlOr Mfs Mckee RANKIN
Jouka hahefne Grey