New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30
THE ORA MA.
MORE MELODRAMA.

The combination theatres are falling INTO hne'
The Star was opened last night with Northern
Lights" and the Grand Opera House. with The
Cotton Spinner" Both melodramas. ana both
were effectively presented and good-naturedIy re-
ceived Neither Is Of any consequence, aside from
the business point Of view.
The writer OF melodram a.-as rue.-is not an
artist. but a mechanic He does not write from
any natural impulse with any fine purpose
His object is mercantile He wishes TO do his Joo
and to suit the demand,-actual or fancied-of his
market He Is the theatrical demagogue. and
like his political brother. he commonly proclaims
a deep interest in the plain people" He is the
meek and owly friend of the multitude and he re-
pudiates with noble scor1 all the pretensions ana
subtleties OF high art" lie will give the people
what they want" and he knows that what they
want is fireworks and blather. His sympathy with
that want knows bounds He feels that the
popular bosom contains the heart of the bullock
a organ that invariably and forever beats true 10
Poll. II he can animate and crafty viscera OF that
order his expansive soul Is serenely satisfied In
word. he IS "A humbug. and he peddes trash under
the pretence of suiting the average taste To some
extent he succeeds, but 'the plain people are not
fools and while they tolerate these concoctlons Of
extravagant incident ebullent sentiment and scenic
effect they know very well that rubbish is placed be-
fore them.
In a melodrama the main thing Is, situation-and
plenty OF it. Probability disappears Common sense
chaos. Viainy triumphs during four acts, and
suffering innocence after falling out OF balloon
and descending for several miles into the crater OF
Mt Nesuyius. Is rescued by the American Tract So
cety, and married to pious blacksmith, with
palace in Central Park Everybody knows these
plays and everybody is sick of them, and still more
sick OF the stock phrases with which they are
re- orded. Popular elements pleased the audi
ence" Sure to be kept on for some time. Sev-
eral of them are visible now and more of them
Will become visible next week. The genuine, Old,
fashioned melodrama, which required singing and
acting has vanished. The meodramatic play,
such as Henry Dunbar" The Lyons Mail" or
The Bells is possible only with great actor, and,
aside from Henry Irving, there is no great actor
now in sight. The stuff that Is current no DOUBT
answers temporary purpose. but il is not GOOD Tor
the dramatic profession, ard II Is not beneficial TO
the public mind. There is but one true ana right
principle in the administration Of dramatic art, ana
that s-tO give the people the very best and hlgh'
est form OF dramatic entertainment that can be
devised II always is appreciated, and, in the long
run II 6lways gets its reward.
Besides THE Northern Lights ut the star ana
'Tho Cotton Spinner at the Grand opera melo-
drama called In the Heart of the storm was pro-
duced last nieht-the latter at the columbus inca
ire in Harlem. The Standard Theatre was also
opencd with variety show. in which Miss Lone
Fuller tho dancer. a conspicuous iEure. MISS
Fullers agility Is understood to b" the admiration
Of two hemspheres and Of the man In the moon.