The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-08 00:00:00

MARY LEBONE THEATRE.

An adaptation to the English stage of M. Latour'S
tragedy of Virginie was produced here last evening,
under the title of Virginia. The original must ba fa-
miliar to the greater number of plaegoere, it was fre-
quently performed at the St. James's two years since,
with Mdlle. Rachel as the heroine, and is. perbepe, the
most interesting of modern French tragedies. It might
at first be supposed that a comparison with the- chef
d'oeuvre of Sheridan Knowles, a comparison which no
dramatic author would willingly challerge, would in the
present instance be inevitable, but such is not the case.
In the play of Sheridan Knowles, Virginius, is the
principal character, standing out in bold relief irons
the canvass, around which the other characters ars
grouped, while in the plc), of M. Latour, Virginia is
the principal character--Virginius not appearing upon
the scene until the fourth act. In point of construction
the play of M. Latour is much superior to that of Sheri-
dan Knowles • the interest is gradually wrought up to 3
climax, and the play ends with the death of Virginia.
Moreover, we have no hors d'oeuvres like Siccius Den-
tasus, as we have in the play of Sheridan Knowles. The
treatment of the subject, too, is very different. In the
play of M. Latour, Appius Claudius takes advantage of
the absence from Rome of Virgioius to visit his house,
and to attempt to seduce his &righter, and causes her lover,
Icilius, to be murdered ; and it is not until his suit has
'been scornfully rejected by Virginia that he sets on Fabius
to :seize her. e She la-dragged before the, judgment-seat.
the case is adjourned, and she is taken to the house of
Appius Clan litre, before the return of Virginius to Rome.
She escapes from the house of Appius and returns to her
own home in the middle of the re ;ht, and here occurs
one of the finest scenes in the play... She meets her
father, and relates to him the fearful adventures of the
horrible night when Appius Claudius found his
.way into her chamber, when she, after horrible struggles,
succeeds in making her escape and preserving her
honour. The death scene is also managed diffsrently.
In Virginia it is Virginia herself who suggests to Vir-
ginias the propriety of - killing her, nay, who
demands death at his bands, to save her-
self from dishonour. The part of Virginia, 3
will be seen, thus constitutes the play, and it wese
admirably sustained by Mrs. Mowatt. This ladyis one
of the most accomplished and lady like actresses on the
stage. Her graceful style of acting bears a nearer resew-
blance to that of Miss Foote than does that of anY
'artiste who has appeared since that accomplished lady
left the stage. Her scorn in the scenes with Appius
Claudius was witherieg, hut the great triumph teas the
scene with Virginius in the fourth act, to which we have
before alluded. Rachel was very• fine in this scene, but
it always struck us that she wee somes hat too energetic.
It she exhibited half the energy in the encounter with
Appius which she did in the narrative of it, Apples
had more to tear from her than she from him.
Mrs. Mowatt, on the contrary, appeared us a young girl
almost dying from excess of agony and exhaustion;
there was a subdued tone in her manner of relating the
occurrences of that dreadful night, such is a young and
virtuous girl, like Virginia, would employ, and this
subdued tone heightened the intensity of the pathos in.'
finiuly more than the most boisterous energy could have
done. The last scene also was superbly acted, there less
something agonizng in the thrilling tones ivith which
she asked for death. She was excellently supported by
Mr. Davenport, who was the Virginius. Bsth artists
were called for at the conclusion. The translationis,
we understand, from the pen of Mr. John Oxenford, and is
admirably written. While it is. almost a literal version
of the original, it is written as M. Latour himself would
have written it, had he composed his tragedy in Eng-
lish. The language is easy and flowing and rhythmics!,
end it would be impossible for one not acquainted with
the fact, to know that it was a translation, so entirely
free is it from gene. He who can translate so well can
also originate, and wo trust the day is not far distant
when wo may assist at the production of an seriginal
tragedy from the pen of Mr. John Oxenford. The
tragedy was admirably put upon the stage. The last
scene was the perfection of" mounting." The trivialise
at the fall of the curtain was enthusiastic. The heele
was exceedingly well attended.