Great Sensation.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4592, 22 September 1883, Page 2

Great Sensation.

NEW PLAY AT THE GRAND CENTRAL THEATRE (BOSTON) LAST NIGHT.

The Grand Central Theatre was crowded last night in every part to witness the initial representation of M. Delavigne's great play of " Hyper-Evolution; or, the Physical Bases of Life." At least 15,000 people were present, a large proportion of eminent scientists being observable. This was natural, as to see the mystery of man's evolvement from the lower types made plain by actually taking place before one's eyes is something rare even in our age of wonders. The great hit seemed to be anticipated, as we noticed that the Transient Supply Company had an extra number of wires attached to the magnetic auditorium, so as to afford the fullest convenience of hearing the play to patrons unable to attend. In the latter part of the week the company will have completed their preparations for the attachment of Professor Windford's visiotype to the telephone. By this invention, of which our readers have heard so much, every scene in a play is projected upon a small screen in front of the spectator, so that we not only hear the dialogue but t actually behold the, gesticulation of the players, with every change of facial expression. The price of the attachment is so small that good performances will now be within the reach of all. Especially will it be invaluable to invalid ladies, children and persons in delicate health. We confidently predict that in three months from now no nursery or sick chamber will bo without the visiotype attachment. We have seen it tested iv private, and its success is absolute. It is very distasteful. to us to find any fault with the shortcomings of a first night's performance, but we feel impelled to call attention to the very inartistic way in which the lights were used throughout the piece. Instead of that gradation and contrast intended by the author, and without which a&me of the best effects were lost, we were Treated to a continual, unvarying and blinding blaze, trying alike to the eye and the temper. We noticed many ladies who were compelled to put on an extra pair of blue spectacles in order to protect themselves from the glare. If the present prompter does not nnderstand the proper management of stored sunlight we would < respectfully suggest to Manager Libby that he either get one that does or else go" back to the old system of electric lighting in vogue among our grandfathers some years ago. When we consider that sunlight has been used in the Central, to the exclusion of all other lights, for the past five seasons the prompter's clumsiness becomes not only inexcusable bat inexplicable. The play itself must certainly be awarded the merit of being a profound work; and if Mr Delavigne has not actually solved the great problem of man's being he has certainly added greatly to our knowledge on the subject. What will give the play a permanent place in the drama of our country is its scientific value. It is equal to a dozen lectures on chemistry, physiology and biology, and points with prophetic finger to the rapidly nearing time when the laboratory and lecture-room will both be dispensed with, and the stage alone be the vehicle for the dissemination rif science. The chief interest of course centred in Mr Playfair's superb interpretation of the leading character, and, from the protoplasmic germ in the first act to the finished man in the seventh and last, he held the audience spellbound. He changed, of course, in every act, and, although remarkably good as the monkey, we considered it on the whole the least meritorious part of his performance. His impersonation of the protoplasmio germ was marvellous, and we are inclined to class it as the very finest effort which the wonderful artist has yet given us. Anything so harrowing as his portrayal of the blind yet terrible agony of fch« inert matte* endeavoring to escape from the limitations of its condition it would be impossible to describe. Any one who has seen ifc will never be able to forget it; and to the writer of this, at least, the struggles of a jelly fiah are pathetic henceforth and for ever. Miss Wringle gave an exceedingly clever portraiture of the woes of a female baboon on the eve of transformation into woman. Her plaintive' song of " Oh, Let me be as I am/ was deservedly-encored. Little Miss Gilgal'g impersonation of a snake in act second also deserves favorable mention. #" all serpents were as sinuous and seductive as she, the prejudices of mankind against them would soon be eradicated. . The scenery was magnificent, of course; the reputation of the theatre is a guarantee for that. It will be changed, however, on Monday, as Manager Libby has publicly announced that from this time forth no scene shall ever be used in his theatre for more than seven representations. This is a move m the right direction, which wa trust to see followed up by the other managers. The idea of scenery being used two weeks is an outrage upon the rights of a paying audieace, and even the dead-heads object to it. .. The chorus of frogs m act third needs disciplining. They were effective at times, bitf thoroughly out of time on three digtinct^pecasions. borne ill-bred persons frbniV Montreal laughed several times during'tke' performance of the piece. This w» till more atrocious as all such exhibit^,ire expressly prohibited upon the pfcy*bUU. Manager Libby intends having. J>terge force of police on hand to-morfoVeTen*, mg, and whoever dares to laugh or even smile audibly will bo promptly arrested and taken to the lock-up in Toronto. Decency and good manners must be preserved at whatever cost. The above skit is from the Boston Daily Globe, which bears the imprint of 1981, and gives entertaining accounts of what we may expect to exist 100 years hence.