The Express.
London, England, 1862-10-06 00:00:00

[Stamped, Id. Additional

DRAMA.

SURREY.

This noble and popular theatre wag opened on
flaterday night, Imam the undivided management of Mr.
t3irpherd, with a greed historical drama, translated sad
adapted hem the Freak, celled the Neste of lirolue-
The piece area artglaally produced last year at the Ambigu.
la Paris, sad the isaterisk which it primate for mass and
display make us marvel that Ahem sot appeared is so Yaglisit
dress before.

The plot turns upon the assassination of Henri IV. of
Frame, by Remake, a poetical license being applied loth,
historical events so as to make the Italian intriguers about
the bout of leading imparbusee in the action. These
istrigisms—the Omseini family and their followers—are
arrayed as ow side se the bad mires of the play and
the mordajon of the King ; while on the other Me,
the Dauphin and an illegitimate broiler, aided by one Jacques
Boshisione, an honest shoemaker, and his wife Margot, a
market woman, are the good geniuses, and instruments for
reran*/ the Klag's death. The NNW of brooms, which jived
the title to the pesos, is a win, henries a waperstitions interest
to the Ooncini family, which is divided at the opening of
the drama between the Marquis Concini and Reveals/1, the
' seemsba of the K. One bali of this mysterious ink b
beatipalltextlim, aiwa its It killed by the lataistod
pOpIaSSIN `!'Mils In wrovesrvoe by' the piens King as •
seermi Mb. The other half, that in the pommies of the
Marquis Coneini--having been accidentally given by him to
Jacques %amnia, as payment for scene manned-hand
clothes bought to disguise R•vaillac become.' precious so •
means of discovering and 000victing the murderers. The
interest attached to this half-medal is increased by the fact
that Jacques Bonhomme has gone mad, and has forgotten
where be has hidden it. The search for it by both pular—
thew who wish to rump the King's death, sad the Om-
ani, who wish to preserve their lives and esoret— gives op.
portuaines for effective dramatic situations which are not
lost sight at.
The acting throughout the piece was 'extremely good, the
company being well skilled in representing this kind 0
drama. Mr. Shepherd, as Jacques Bonhomme, chewed
great power and judgment in the intense portions of his
part ; Mr. Frederick Robinson, as Heoriot, the illegitimate
song of the King, made his character very forcible and in-
teresting. Mr. Basil Potter played the King with manly
earnestness. Mr. Maclean, • rising actor, rendered the vil-
lain of the pie" the Marquis Concini, very effectively.
Mr. Vollaire showed peat dignity as an honest captain of
the King's guard ; sod Kr. E. k'rioe, as the young King,
excited a pleasing snares' in his fortunes. The ladies, by
their excellent acting, did quite se much for the piece as
the gentlemen. Miss G. Paencefort, always good, was par-
ticularly striking as the daring and unscrupulous Marchioness
Coricini ; Mims Fanny Clifford, as Margot, the queen of the
market women, brought out the humour and pathos of her
part with artistic skill'; and they were ably supported by
Min George Lee, Miss Lydia Foote, and Miss E. John.
stone.

The drama is put upon the stage in a style that would net
diagram the Princess's or Drury-lane. The draw are rick,
picturesque, and appropriate. The scenery, representing
various parts of Perim in 1610, is carefully painted and judi-
ciously arranged. The grouping sod business of the pion
are vary effectively managed, and the music oy Mr. Ismer
soa, is spirited and pleasing. The drama, translated by Yr.
Vollaim, is adapted to the stage by H. G. Plunkett.
After the play a splendid glue curtain was exhibited, in
which the whole house stood reflected. Before this a ballet,
in which the sisters Morgan took the leadoras well executed.
The audience; portion of the theatre has bar videcomilad
in a sensible manner, end the proportions of the home make
it one of the finest theatrical buildings in Lando.. Mr.
Shepherd was enthusiastically called before she curtain to
receive the congratulations of pit, gallery, and boxes crowded
in every pan. He promised, what he has began to carry oat
—a season full of novelties pomaded by a sterling working
eccomay.