New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-29
THE DRAMA.
WALLACK's THEATRE.

II is pleasant augury that the hrst impor'ah.
plav Of the new dramatic season should be called
"a Ray Of Sunshine" The comedy bearing TINS
title. which was produced last night at WaliacK
Theatre is domestic In character, refined IN reel
ing, and delicate In quality, and,-uhiiHe s"nne
other plays which above reproach,-tt possesses
the winning attributes OF influential emotion ana
plouant humor II IS the work OF two English
writer's Mark Ambient and wilton Ieriot 'pen-
names probably. and when first produced AZ the
Royalty Theatre. London. IT had 5uccessful ca
tcer. II was received AT Wallacks with Kindness
and favor. by 2 numerous audence,-Mr "lIiam
Elton and his associates who act Ia II, being well
coined wit, a friendly greeting which must have
afforded them much pleasure. The success or such
plays as this may well comfort tho friends Oh Inc
decent drama for IT IS a sign that dramatists are
under necessity Of exploring the brotnel or the
garbage barrel for dramatic themes. Last year
stage filth was abundant. and the season closed
with an impudent attempt to vaccinate this public
with the virus OF Ibsens "Ghosts.' This year,
notwit hstandlng the INSCRIPTIONS character OF
leading Managers some Of the o'nens are Sool
Several experiments In wckedncss VIII De maze
and the usual mlnistrlil1n 10 pubic lmmora"y
will continue; but in general. tho disposition seems
favorable to decency and good At all events
the procept Of the spectre IN Hamlet. -" Assume
a virtue II YOU have It not."-wl, measuraoly, be
observed. No longer ago than last May inc auoi-
,rce at Walacks Theatre WAS nsulted with Mt
Meilhac's dirty play of Ma COusne.' a very III
feront note is sounded In a Ray Of Sunshine
Persons who object to RIGHTEOUSNESS ana Vul-
CARLY on the stage are often favored with the I'M
pertinent Information that the JOY which they
crave Is Sunday school insipidty. They are asked
to admire for example. such tumd. pretentious'
and droary platltude John lngerheld.' Inc
notion seems to be that whatever IS clean must
necessarily be tame and that whoever wants purlty
wants dulness "A Pair Of spectacles' was an
answer 10 that folly. "Trelawny Of the Wehs
was another answer 10 IT.: and "A Ray OF sun
shine" now rebukes It again. The essence OF TINS
play is comic perpleXity. The enlargement Which
is its substance could not readily have happened,
but granting the somewhat forced and artificial
premises the ludicrous conclusions inevitably fol-
low Tho authors have chosen simple and con-
vontional posture Of theatrical circumstances ana
this they havo made entertaining with apsuruy
comical incidents and with equiNoko. hhuy'
eccentric old noboman Lord Markham, returning
to England after long absence In Australia
whore he has made a large fortune finds his rela-
tivos and friends i'm trouble and. after much mys-
thcation and playing at cross purposes sequent
on his concea ment Of his Identity he relieves thelr
distresses and makes them happy The suspense
- A little too long maintained and the mystihcaton
is pushed almost 10 tho limit of monoionyi Dut m
causing the old lord to be mistaken for the I'm
exor,be noney-lender, and the money-lender 20
be mistaken for the lord and IN the adroit nechan-
ism of various other conrusOns. the piaywrghts
have fashioned situations that please an
Innocent sense OF nirth. and although their comedy
runs into farce and Is Of great substance or
lasting value n gives pleasure and arouses sweet
and genial feeling There almost continuous
laughter. during the performance. and Mr. Elton
simple and tender delivery Of the explanatory mar
rative al the close. had effect Of natural
pathos This actor is Of the order Of Toole, whose
genial spirit and whose sudden transitions n
comicalty he wildly recalls. He has abundant
animal spirits and he acts so naturally as TO con-
ceal his art. and to create a delightful illusion
The character that he embodied is neither com
pex nor deep. but ne embodied II perfectly we'll
ard so he presented a sympathetic image Of kind
ness simplicity. humor. and sturdy English hon
esty and work.
The hobbledehoy children and the garrulous
housenaid could be spared. and there is something
too much Of the ejaculation Of rather Man
nerems whether English American, grow tire
some The fun Of skipping over furniture is not
quite obvious. and whether obvious or not II >
inharmonious with a farcicai picture Of Eng
ush manners Among the actors who assoc
ciated with Mr. Elton this production Miss Grace
Dudley. playing Madge Ashton, especially pleased
nor audience by the ylvaclty Of her demeanor and
the sparkle and neatness OF her execution a4ike
IN action and speech The company is notable for
balance and general efficiency This is the fuu
cast:
Gerald Lord Markham ..........'.... - william Ei,on
Philip Ashton the SOUR Naiae flsee
Rye Aston his brother Robert Botton.ey
Nj Carlton, diplomatst. 'las
Dohhs a money lender. 'eoIss
III. ............... Cecil Elgar
Tadr Dor5thy Denhan ............ Miss Adene stuart
Connie Markham ...............M Mss Janet Alexander
tlva.a I'M Lou