The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-17
FOREIGN THEATRICAL.s.

Mas. MowArr.-A London correspondent o
the N Y. Spirit of the Times gives AN account o
The production at London of a new play called
1.-THE Witchwife," by Henry Spicer Our owl
countrywoman, Mrs Mowatt, made her first ap
pearance, after an illness of some weeks, duration
in The character of the heroine of the play, g Ceci
Howard" The plot Of the play is very simple
the scene and age Of the play are in England, in tn,
reign Of Charles H., when prosecutions for witch
craft were very frequent, and every one, with on,
idea above the average of their class, lived in terror
Mathew Hopkins, the witch-fnder, becomes ena
mored of Cecil, who rejects him, and therefore
attracts all his hatred and revenge. Cecil and some
of her companions in sport dress themselves a;
witches, go TO Maxim Tower--a traditional rendez
vous-and 90 through, in derison, rites not unlike
the incarnation scene of "Der Freishuz." Hopkins
discovers the party, seizes Cecil and imprsons hel
on a charge of wtchcraft. She is tried and sen.
fenced to suffer death but Marchmont Needham-
a part admirably sustained by Mr.. Davenport
makes his appearance in the court as a Judge, and
pardons Cecil Marchmont an admirer Of Cecil
marries her. The part of Mr.. Davenport is short
the Times" says, but is important, as on it the
climax of the play depends. The same paper says
that in the character of Cecil are " these gentle
DISPLAYS of joy and grief for which Mrs. Mowai
is so well adapted" Both Mrs. Mowatt and MIR
Davenport were loudly applauded and the former
at the conclusion of the play, received a shower OF
boq,tets 1t is very evident that Mrs. Mowatt has
taken that position on the English stage to which
her talent and genius so fully entitle her.
Mr.. MAcREADY will not appear for some time on
the London stage; he purposes playing series OF
provincial engagements, which will occupy few
months, and then will appear in London.
The GERMAN OPERA, in London, which attracted
so much attention not long ago, has made what the
French and Italians call fasco. The manager,
Herr Roeder, has been dragged before the police,
at the suit of one of the company. Roeder, it APP
pears, engaged the troupe in Germany, at thirty
dollars Germany per month but, as the London
public did not patronize the enterprise, they were
able to obtain only as many shillings, (sterling y
and finally were reduced that they slept in the
theatre. The Queen, it appears, once visited the
theatre, and the manager contrved to get his COM
pany together, by promising that the royal dona-
ton should be divided among the company. This
was faithfully done; but, as her majesty sent only
thirty pounds, the personal dividend was but six
shillings The Germans are now begging in the
streets.
FRENCH THEATRIcALs are at low ebb. The
exciting scenes daily occurring throughout the
country leave the people little disposition to lis
ten to fictitious excitemcnts. Tragedy, comedy,
opera, and ballet are all in low state, and the great
artists either absent from the stage, in other
countries.
A play called Suathmore has been produced
at the Haymarket Theatre, which is far above
the average of the dramas which have appeared
during recent years. The usual rule of play
wrights, to array person against principle, is
varied from-Strathmore himself being the incar-
nation of principle. The scenes and personages
are Scotch, of the era of Claverhouses war on the
Covenanters. Strathmore Mr.. C.. Kean) would, if
he followed the behests of interest, adhere to the
royalsts and he is betrothed to the daughter
Catharine MRS. Kean) of a distinguished member
of that party, Sir Rupert Lorn. He does not
sympathize with the Covenanters but, satisfied
that they are oppressed, becomes their defender
Sir Rupert, having massacred pastor with his
congregation, Strathmore is selected to head party
against the castle of his friend Rupert is taken
and uled-Strathmore sitting as one of his Judges
Sir Rupert acknowledges his guilt and is i'm
prisoned. Caharine sees her lover, and attempts
in vain to induce him to pardon her father. In
the mean time the Royalists retake the castle-Sir
Rupert is rescued, and Strathmore MORALLY wound
ed. The moral triumph consists in his obtaining
from Catharine confession that he has been in
the right.
The play has had brilliant success, and will pro-
badly be reproduced in this country. The acting
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Kean in The roles of Srathmore
and Catharine is said to be above all criticism.