The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-10
Theatrical.

DEBUT OF THE BArEMAN CHLpREN-The youthful
prodgies Ellen and Kate Bateman, who attracted SC
much attention by their recent in England
made their debut here last night in the New Yorl
Theatre late Astor Place Opera House From the
ton created by their brilliant in Europe and the
prestige which they brought with them, much curiosity
has been excited in the theatrical circles of this city
to the real merits of the young ares But yet to
surprise, the house last evening not more than
half full. We witnessed the performance of the
children with much delight but yet cannot endorse the
unlimited amount of pufery layished them by
the English press and re.published to ex-
tent here Our conceptions of them are that
in respects they have been much rated and
thereby injured by undscrminatDg attery while in
others they stand forward aristes entitled with
out reservation account of youth to tho foremost
rank Their appearance last night in the last act
Richard the Third which sadly mutiated for the
purpose. Their performance commenced with the
of that act where Richmond addresses his
followers with Thus far into the bowels Of the
land have marched without impedment'
The delivery of this address by Kate Bateman
hurried, and lacked force and conception The
impression made at first rather unfavorable but
there improvement in the concluding portion Of
the Ellen created better impression Richard
and received much applause The appearance of Rich
mend (Katc) and the interview with Lord Stanley
very weak and ch fish showed stikingy that the
lit actor had real conception OF tue part she played
but merely performed it trained to do without any
under tanding Of the points. The tent well
played by Ellen, and when the ghosts vanish and the
murderoue monarch starts from his perturbed slumber
the terror and wdness with which he rushes forward
Iavipg for a horse, was forciLly and admirably
presented and elected much applause The
counter between Richard and Richmond also
well acted, and the fencing of the children
excellent But their reputation to rest their
acting in "Richard the Third it could not be very
brilliant Perhaps two three out of every dozen
children Of their age Instructed in recitation, could
have performed their parts equally well We do not
mean by this remark to deprecate the talents of the
children but the simple of their failure to create
an impression that the piece itself far beyond
their intellectual capacity 1t was too much of childish
carcaure shakpeares great characters and though
might amuse it could by means form any grounds
for the extravagant praises bestowed on the children
So much the Batcman Children in Richard the Third"
though perhaps, in concluding notice of it, 1t might
not ams in the critic to suggest that henceorth this
tragedy and all such dramatic pieces beyond the powers
of the children be expuDged from the repertoire
Our remarks the next piece however, are OF very
different and more pleasant tenor, simply because the
young had only to sustain their own characters
children. II the amusing Petite comedy Of The
Young Coupe,n in which the two children as Charles
and Henrietta fall in love in imitation of their Seniors
and in mock solemnity are Joined as man and wife
Nothing could be dro than the acting Of the young
couple under the impression that they really Mon
sieur and Madame de Blonyile. The impression which
Kate failed to produce as Richmond she was emnenty
successful in producing the fashionable baby wife and
Ellen, Charley the responsible young husband, was
exceedingly humorous Here they beth in their ele
of fun mischief and droeIy tinctured neyerthe-
less with most dgned idea OF their vast Importance in
the social scale well in their matrimonial relations.
speaking Of their acting in this piece do not desire
in relative by saying that 1t was wonder
full in children Of their age We would rather say that
as piece Of comic acting 1T surpassed by
arsfes any sge and need hardly add that 1t amused
audience the last degree The young couple were
apturousy appauded and received showers ofbouquets
At the close Of both pieces the children were called be-
fore the curtain the latter occasion little Charley
Miss Ellen came forward and said Ladies and gentle
men, very glad to meet you at home again ifthe
Bateman Children confined to this and similar pieces
suited to their capacity they will undoubtedly draw i'm
houses and could except the pee OF Rich ird
we might then say that their debut eminently
eessful,