The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-12 00:00:00

HAYMARK ET THEATRE,

On Saturday evening a new comedy, from the pen of
Sterling Coyne, entitled The Secret Agent, was produced
at this theatre with the most decided success. The
scene of the play is laid in one of the small states in Ger-
many, where we find that, during his minority, the Duke
Victor (Mr. Howe), has succeeded to the dukedom, but
his mother, the Dowager Duchess, has, for a lengthened
period, managed all the affairs of state for him, and so
pleasant has power become that,. to prevent the said
Duke Victor from thinking of resuming the reins of Go-
vernment, his thoughts are directed by the Dowager,
aided by the Prime Minister, Count Steinhausen (Mr.
Buckstone), and the Grand Chamberlain, Baron Stand-
buck (Mr. Compton), to the pursuit of pleasure. This state
of things has been going on some time, when the people
eventually become discontented, and fears are entertained
of conspiracy. During the time that the government has
been in the hands of the Dowager her Ministers have
effected numerous jobs, by which the various members
of their families have each been Landsomely pro-
vided for. The Duke's eyes are opened by his cou-
sin Ernestine. She informs him of the disaffec-
tion that exists, and further tells him that the
only way to regain the love of his people is to assame
the reins of government himself, and to send his present
ministers to the right about. He promises to do so, and
Ernestine hits upon a plan by which it can be very
quietly done, namely, that a certain person shall be said
to have arrived at Court—an old school-fellow—whom he,
the Duke, has appointed as his secret agent, from whom
he will receive notice of everything that goes on in the
place. Great consternation is occasioned the Duchess
and her ministry by the supposed presence of this secret
agent, who is, in fact, the Duke himself, and numerous
are the stratagems and expedients resorted to to dis-
cover him. The Prime Minister and the Chamberlain
tremble in their very shoes, and each is afraid to speak
higher than a whisper for fear of being overheard by the
Duke's secret agent. The acting of Mr. Buckstone
at this part of the play was incomparable, and our
readers, we imagine, can form an idea of the
acting of two such true artistes as he and Mr. Comptult
in such a position. But to preceed with the plot. The
courtiers resort to every means to discover " this person
who is in nobody's way," and Nettchen, Ernestine's
maid, further perplexes them by telling the Count that
he (the secret agent) will be present at a masked ball,
dressed as Mephistopheles ; and, on the other hand, she
informs the Baron that the secret agent will appear at
the ball as a Spanish lady. The appearance of Mr.
Buckstone as a Spanish dancer, and his clever imitation
of Perea Nena, was received with tremendous applause
and shouts of laughter, which were repeated on the entry
of Compton as Mephistopheles. When they discover
themselves each believes the other the secret agent of the
Duke, and begins to plot each other's downfall ; and,
inally, the prime minister is arrested and sent to the
state prison at Spilsburgh. This brings about an ex-
planation. The Dowager Duchess goes into private
life, and the ministers retire; one (the Count), ears reward
for his labours, receives the blue riband of the order of
the:golden ass, while the Baron is appointed director-gent.
ral of the water works, and the Duke marries Ernestine,
The great success that the piece achieved was mainly
owing to the exertions of Mr. Buckstone, and hencefor-
ward the part of Count Steinhausen will be considered
one of his greatest efforts, and without doubt it is so.
The comedy has been splendidly put upon the stage, the
scenery, dresses, and appointments being of the most
gorgeous description. It was given out by Mr. Buck-
stone for repetition every evening, amidst the applause
of one of the most crowded and delighted audiences
that ever assembled within the walls of " the little
theatre in the Haymarket."