New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
THE DRAMA.
THE NEW YORK THEATRE.


an appetite for pageantry and frippery IL. neces-
sarily TO repress and vitiate II not ultimately 10
destroy all relish for refined and intellectual pleas
ure The Music Hall entertainment mas tnat
drift. and experience, in Paris and LONDON nus
distinctly shown that the multiplicity OF MUSIC
Halls is neither propitious to the regular thea're
NOR advantageous to the community. In every
Largo c,,v however there Is a multitude OF is-
norant and yacuous persons. and since, 10 peop'e
OF this order. the Music Hall Is paradise 'ha'
institution hourshes and doubtless VIII continue "
flourish: and the most that can De hopeu - ,'a.
those spectHators In human folly WHO co"" "
will. at least. strive to promote innocent Ia'ne'
than vulgar mirth. and TO preserve 'he 'e"''N
Of decency. ,.,
The New York Theatre. which was opener ias'
NIGHT "a A Music Hall after the fashion OF tine
London Alhambra Empire but, as yet not COM
parable with either Of those resorts III the SUI
stance and merit OF its entertainment AS '"e"'
Il ia spacious. commodious, and even magninceht,-
the shape being excellent In symmetry. ana 'ne
o,ors ussd in the decoration being delicate and
choerf,I without ostentaton or violent CONTRAST,
That however In the wealthy and iuxurious cap
tai of New-York. is not unusual. 9nd IL WIN ca"
no surprise. The success OF the ne" io'h ms.
be gained by other meanr than those Oh arc"'uu'
ure and characterization, II 1t Is gained at all Inc
onor,no chow which is called "a fantasy proved
In fact 70 be a rigmaroe OF puerfe nonsense III
terspersed with songs. dances, horsepay' anu
scenic picture, formless. brainiess' teho."s ~
where and meaning nothng-uniess' inoeeu
means TO show the depth OF vacuity to winch '"e
human mind can descend and what concourse VI
aa,,,r,no idiots II can find at the bottom OF the
decIiv,tv Some faint glimmer Of intention was
indeed indicated TO review the plays OF the sea
son. now closing. in the principal theatres VI we"
York; but these glmmeriDgs were ius"o'ou1 on
evanescent-the tissue OF the fabric remaih'ne
muddle of foggy trash. why do women marry
Of ".
,amaIe. and then-as the good old mispriht 30
happly puts 1.-THE audience rent the ar WIN
their suouts" A woman goes up IN pa'iooi' anu
a man. gazing after her. declares he' :" ,a
rising actress" whereupon there WAS
veil of public rapture. Such and 30 great 10 '"e
excr,Iciating humor Of this amazing prouueaU ~,
Several times indeed. during the hrst act Vi ~
Man in the Moon" the brilliancy OF the dialogue
was so dazzling that the electric hsh,s u" wv
the theatre were extingushed by It, ana the man
q ger had TO ask the indulgence OF the auoehce io
this mishap. s-,,,a,
Tho chief promoter OF the mrth was MI Samue'
pernard n performer who has gained the pecuha'
d,s,,nction of being accepted a comedian with
ont being able to impersonate anything without
possessing one particle of intrinsic humor' anu
without ever being in any way more interesting
than an inverted wheelbarrow. 1t snoud' now"
ever be said that the Bernard grimace appeared
| 70 dlffuse illimtable bliss. and that the Bernard
shou, 0or this actor has long since risen above
tho nlane OF mere human speech) seemed to carry
hiss to every heart within the mile radius or
Olympia
There are some gorgeous pictures In the snow
| made I'm white and gold but by far the best part
OF il the ballet and this derives special beauty
from the fact that during Its continuance the ora
matte company is compelled to stop talking. There
are orty-sx OF these industrious beings and scarce
| a sweet voice IN the lot Some Of the women are
| handsome especially Miss Louise Freear, MISS
Marie Dressler and Miss Christie Macdonald AS
| TO dresses It did not occur to even a cursors Oh
server that there any great mystery as 10 the
| color OF the garters. Mr.. De Koven had PROVIDED
an abundance OF light music, now and then diversi-
filing his cheerier strains with soft and plaintiVe
touch that shows deep feelingthe strange, elusive
| sadness which with a sensitive man. Is apt to De
the undertone OF q reve The crowd In attendance
| was vast and Of a highly miscellaneous character.
Smoking appears to be permitted In the space al
tho hack OF the auditorium. Persons wearing mats
and nufing their foul smoke into the faces OF
other auditors strobe about. In swine-nke happi-
ness one child Of nature and OF lsraei p'ouu,'
stood upon a spittoon. and thus lowered IN hooie
| au,nence above the fragrant throng. 1t was a
| hoou,eous scene; and,-considerng the composition
| ~ tho audience the nature Of the entertainment
and tho ecstacy with which all It's gaudiness and all
,,s fooIishness was received,-a scene well cacu-
| lated 10 impress with peculiar emotion all persons
| who duly appreciate the glory OF THESE soiuen
times and the celestial future OF refinement anu
| beauty that Is SO clearly prefgured In them
| '~' w. w.