New-York tribune., 1904-10-25
THE DRAMA.
ws GILBERT AT THE LYcEUm.

III
v-s. GHberts association with the New-Yor,
rrhich has extended over a period OF fortv
tNe .be has obtained not only the public ad-
Is-.,,n as an actress. but the public affection as
n-on Her FIRST appearance in the local the
- made IN -SsA and now. in the elghty-fourth
- ~ her sge. she enters on her final theatre
- .agon. Intending at the close OF It. to say
sn Last night she appeared at the Lyceum
,--.,rs n play. adapted from the French. called
---r" and IN this she personated an old
o-,sn who with good intention. alleuates her
-s-on from his father. and. later with tender
- -,s tact procures their reconciliation and re-
-, The play is one OF slight texture almost
.t-fsntial but II Is a sufficient vehicle for this
s.,srr character. Its story already told in this
-s- 81 representative OF phase OF domestic ex-
s--u,nce by 70 means unusual Its persons have
,..r been seen in actual life There is the wild
- gradually forgetful Of his lamented WIFE
-sshsrl 10 marry again. and susceptible 20 the
earns o. the blooming widow. There Is the young
~ frank and generous. devoted 70 the memory OF
I'd. dead mother. and resoluteiy antpathetic his
fsther's second marriage There is the handsome
,-ssov rnaligned but triumphant There Is the
,ssou-s charming daughter. v no. in the funess OF
-,r,e can become the sons sweetheart. and be
made the sure incentive 20 restoration OF domestic
nease And there is the brisk and busy old grand
mother prone 70 regulate everybody around her.
,bo fractures the domestic circle suffers for her
vel meant error and ultimately contrives with
rsson that ancient ladies seldom display TO make
.toreraent and recover happiness Mrs. Gilbert. It
hardly need be said Is easily proficient as the cen
--eI mover IN this simple scheme. She was greet
ss with long continued plaudits,-the welcome, IN
this case. OF hearts as well As hands.-and her per
so-Bsnce was rewarded with every denotement OF
rouuiar sympathy and favor
The part Of Granny.-Mrs Tomson-nay be brief
* described as Jesse Rural in peticoats. one
situation. almost dramatic. provides the actress
uirh an opportunity that vas improved by Mrs.
ribe-r with an effect OF deep and touching pathOs.
n tbat the old woman. while confessing her fault
"a her son-in-lsw and his new wife declares that
she cannot acknowledge IL 10 her grandson. be-
csvse II she Goes she VIII lose his love by admit
ting that her selash Jealousy gave him bad counsel
SC led hir, wrong Il coIloquies between Granny
snd rhe maid and youth whom she lures into love
match. Ihe actress was likewise very sympathetic
Kiss Marie Dlro enhancing the effect, hy spr1ght-
~ manners and arch and dainty expression OF gil
,rh eLthusi2su- The auxiliary Characters are
-,o~-ly feeders" The scenery by Messrs. Euens
srd with Is exceptionally beautiful u its rehne-
rneur q detail The curtain calls We're numerous,
sn6 the success ot lhe actress was noS q moment
y soabt The epllogue Is WreJched doggereI. but
n VAS spoken by Mrs Gilbert IN an admirable
manner
slrs. Guae-t has assumed. IN her time. and has
-st-esen1ed VITA hdeliJy 10 nature ana with brill
isnt ertlsuc ef=c-, great nunher OF various and
srronsIy c9uLrssieo cLaEacIers-lronl Betsy Trot-
Woo 70 Hester De-Erlcge, ana from Mrs Ma-aQTop
p, LADY Macbeth. bur ths personality IN which. OF
late years she has been essentially distinctive and
rre-erizeut IS tnsr Of the formidable rlatCon OF
decorous respectzbIy. wise, shrewd, sensible, and
HANDY humorous her performances ot Mrs Bar
s5sse - .7-A-2" and Zantippe Babbit, II "a
N.eht OF" are remembered R-lh delight, and al
rzays VsIl De remembered oy those persons who
lave hzs tne GOOD fortune 70 see them she has.
hoUeve-. shown rhs rare and exquisite faculty ot
high co-scy.-g.v-lE an iulpersonat-on OF the Mar
ouise de S. MaCr. in Caste" that could not be
szceed f0r E-1sL0cracy Of manner. and playing 70
perfection such PARTS as Mrs. Can6our. MrE Rack
Ell Mrs Hzr5cas-.e. The Widow Warren. and many
other danes ~ that peculiar and difficult strain
Vow n tae evening OF l9s il IS not inappropriate
rhal she should present the final emblem Ct both
her nature and her art tie sweet. grave reverend.
Tenerahls na-rUu. who prs6Eures and inculcates
charity love and peace. That IS The image dis
played. and made both piCuanr and l0vable by her
performance or Granny The intrepid spirit OF the
veteran aumstes the hole fabric Of 5he play i
never has bsen AIrs GiIbert's way 70 yield to the
iHroacs q tzae. C. claim any privilege On the
score q age and her amazing vitality shows itself
SUI cheerful and 1ru- Traces q weakness would
not be Incompatible with the part Jhat she plays
bIf there was TO weakness IN her expression OF
rounded and clear IDEAL and the Eentle personality
thus cefrly revealed Is one that all discerning OBJ
servers of the stage VIII see with pleasure and be
glad hereafter % recall W "