The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-07
MISS REYNOLDS BENEFIT.

The iavorite Of the Theatrical corps, that adnira
BILE actress and accomplished lady, Miss Reynolds,
takes her benefit to night, when the comedy Of
London Assurance will be performed for the third
time.
London Assurance is, perhaps, the most brilliant
play in dialogue say nothing Of the plot that has
appeared since Sheridans School for Scandal. In
point and racy epgramatc style, it reminds us OF the
early school of English comedy, when Congrieye
Wicherly, and yamburgh wrote, and held emphat-
cally the mirror up to Nature" 1t abounds in
knowledge of the fashionable world and there is a
deep satire and quiet exposition of the follies Of
man in it, that are more full of moral teachings than
many a sermon. The author of this comedy is We
ry young man and il is remarkable fact that those
comedies which have displayed most knowledge of
the world the first productions Of their authors
when very young.
| Bulwers novel, by the by, which exhibits most
| knowledge of this kind is Pelham his first produc-
ton of any great length
! London Assurance has been better played by MIR.
Wards company than any play represented by them
this season. 1t has been gotten up at great expense
and with great taste in the scenery and decorations.
Mr.. Lamberts Sir Courtly Harcourt excel
lent So was NEEDLE by Mr. Boswell. Dazzle, we
did not think in Mr.. Thayers happest vein but a
theatrical critic at our elbow, whose opinions
lue much, differs with us and give it se-of,
as NEEDLE would say.
Mrs. Knight, as Grace Hark-a-way, gave chaste
and most ladylike personation of the old beaus a-
anced This lady is always letter perfect in her part
and always plays well
| Our decided favorte in the representation, how
ever, was the Lady Gay Spanker of Miss Reynolds,
whose, Lord, Dolly Spanker, must not neglect to
say played to the life-bating too much of bashful
ness in the first scene.
The part of Lady Gay is admirably adapted
to the genius of Miss Reynolds. Her outbursts
of merrment seemed acting with what
energy and glee she described the steepIe chase 4!
How inmitabe her call for Dolly dear Dolly"
and with what tact she 1ired with and exposed Mr.
Harcourt Courtly. Her acting so true to nature
she seemed be Lady Gay herself and not her repre-
sentative.
This lady is of the most accomplished &C
tresses of her age the American boards; and she
combines with great histrionc talents qualities
songtress that always calls forth the oudest applause
Her voice for variety and is scarcely
passed. Miss Reynolds exertons to please are indie
fagabe. Night after night to slim houses, with the
rain pouring down without and nothing cheering
within she has exerted her powers without abate-
ment.
In consequence of the incIemency of the weather,
Miss Reynolds Benefit former occasion was
not profitable. Surely who has much his
trionc talent and so much intellectual cultivation
combined with her personal worth and beauty will
not fail to draw crowded house in this of her
best peIsonaiions-Lady Gay Spanker-on the night
| of her Benefit. We rojoce to hear that many seats
are taken and that there will be full and fashiona-
| BILE attendance.