The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-03 00:00:00

HAYIEARKET THEATRE.

The production of a new and original comedy,
from the pen of Mr. Westland Marston, is a circum-
stance of no ordinary importance, because he is now
ranked amongst our best English dramatists as an
author remarkable for high refinement, originality of
thought, and expressive power. His former con-
tributions to dramatic literature have all been great
acquisitions to the stage ; but the comedy produced
last night, entitled " A Favourite of Fortune," will
cause his name henceforth to be associated with those
whose brilliant genius has been, and still continues
to be, the delight of the past and present genera-
tion. "The Favourite of Fortune" is constructed
on a foundation similar to that of the incomparable
play by Sir Bulwer Lytton, namely " Money ;"
whilst in the incidents we have a situation or two not
totally unlike some of those in Sheridan's " School for
Scandal." Added to the interest of the production of the
new comedy was the circumstance that Mr. Sothern
was to sustain the principal character, and thus the
critical audience of the Haymarket were afforded an
opportunity of judging whether the illustrious
representative of my Lord Dundreary could so
ignore his lordship as to appear the hero of a new
and brilliant comedy. " The Favourite of Fortune"
is a young man, Frank Annerley, who has lately
come into a large fortune, and is represented as
being the object of pursuit to a number of match-
making ladies. First there is Mrs. Lorrington, a
rich widow, with two daughters, Hester and Lucy.
In this lady's house the whole play is enacted. The
widow designs Hester for Frank, Lucy being already
destined for Frank's friend, Tom Sutherland, who
is to lose a fortune unless he proposes to her. Frank
Annerley, who has already been jilted, accordingly
treats the mercenary attacks which are made upon
him withno little contempt, and an utter disbelief in
disinterested affection. But by Hester he finds his
eyes opened ; she startles him by her outspoken de-
nunciation of his professed cynicism, and the natural
consequence is that he falls head over ears in love
with her. Mrs. Lorrington highly approves, and
everything goes on smoothily until a Mr. Fox
Bromley makes his appearance. He knows that
Mrs. Lorrington is not the lady of refined origin she
pretends to be, and lets out this secret to her
scandal-loving guests, Mrs. Witherby, who also has
a daughter ; Euphemia, whom she endeavours to
launch at " the favourite," but in vain ; Major
Price, and Camilla, his niece. Mr. Fox Bromley
communicates to these good folks that the lady
whose hospitality they are enjoying.—was the
daughter of a hairdresser, and once a barmaid at
a Welsh inn, and he has a more serious instrument
of torment in the shape of an insinuation that no
proof can be had of the good lady's marriage to
the father of the young ladies who left the sup-
posed widow all his fortune. By means of this
screw he extracts money from Mrs. Lorrington.
Hester hears of the dreadful rumour just at the time
that Frank Annerley is informed that his fortune is
in jeopardy. He feels it necessary, in stating this to
Hester, to give her an opportunity of recalling her
pledge to him ; and she, to his amazement, ignorant
as he is of the scandalous rumour about the mar-
riage, hesitates to renew her engagement. This
state of things naturally gives rise to some striking
dramatic pictures. First, the resignation of Annerley
to the loss of her fortune, secure in Hester's truth ;
then the necessity under which the heroine feels her-
self of resigning the happiness of being Frank's wife;
then the surprise, the dismay, with which the fa-
vourite fancies he discovers that even Hester her-
self is only a mercenary speculator—the confirmation
of all his prejudices, and the outburst of bitter sar-
casm which he pours upon the devoted Hester ;
therewith, the acute grief of the young lady herself,
until the maternal heart of Mrs. Lorrington is soft-
ened, and she confesses the whole state of things,
and matters of course terminate to the satisfaction
of all parties except Mr. Fox Bromley.
Mr. Sothern, by his impersonation of Frank
Annerley, has proved himself to be an actor of
varied as well as original power, and although his
part does not absorb the entire interest of the play,
enough has been given him to set at rest, and for
ever, the doubts entertained respecting his ability
as an actor of high comedy. To give a proper
embodiment to the creation of Mr. Westland
. , UNIJ J- •24, rare
qualification of enacting the character of a thorough
gentleman under the most trying circumstances.
In parts he is called upon for bitter reproach,
affected cynicism, deep feeling and tenderness, and
on no one occasion did Mr. Sothern fail to recog-
nise the demands made upon his ability. His
performance was everything that could be de-
sired, and evoked the most enthusiastic ap-
plause. Genial; jovial Mr. Buckstone also
delighted his friends by his performance of
the light-hearted Tom Sutherland, and Mr. Chip-
pendale, although afforded but small scope for the
exhibition of his abilities, gave the most artistic
finish to the part of Fox Bromley. Miss Kate
Saville, Miss Nelly Moore, Hester, and Lucy Lor-
rington deserve the highest commendation and
praise for tenderness, pathos, and enlivening good
humour, which they each infused into their respec-
tive parts, and Mrs. Chippendale gave a very excel-
lent representation of the humble innkeeper's
daughter, attempting to carry herself as a fine and
fashionable lady in society.
The piece was mounted with exquisite taste, such
indeed as can only be witnessed at the little.theatre
in the Haymarket.
All the principal performers, as well as the
author, received a perfect ovation at the fall of the
curtain.