The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-09
Waiiack's Theatre sHuch ado About w.
thing.

shasspeare's comedy, Much AGO About Nothing !"
was played az wailack's theatre last evening
for the first time this season, with Mr. Wal
lack as Benedick; Mr.. Dyo,t, Claudio; Mr.. Blake
a. pogberry; Nr. Reynolds Don Pedro; Mr. Hind
as Don John; Mr.. f. Chippendale, as Antonio; Mr. +
A. Vincent, as Verges; Mrs. Conway, Beatrice; Mrs
Connover "a Hero and Mrs. Stephens, as Ursula. Mr.
Walack has not previously appeared during this season
and he received warm welcome from crowded and
diaingus audience. The performance was generally
credtable TO the theatre and the artists Mr. waacts
performance Of Bene6ick il familiar s playroer he
seemed in excellent condition, and dashed through
the part with all the ,va:ity of hse AM
twenty His interpretations are, however orjec.
ticnabe, II i the general opinion that BepelicR
has enough of smart things say his part i written
BY Shakespeare. The interpretations which we refer
are introduced in his sooquy in the garden scene and
at the end of the rst in the fourth Mr. wal
lacks conception of genedick is perfect aud his acting
Of the part abounded with beauties. Mr. pyotts Claudio
was cxceent-the best we have ever seem wei read
well acted performance and in his bes lin the
fourth act) his denuncation Of Hero given With
degree of earnestness which added much TO the eject
Mr.. Flake was not happy as Dogbeuy. He slow 10
tedousncss and imperfect in the text His idea of
Dogberry seems to Us to be e msconception; he
chuckles over his mistakes In the charge 10 the
watch; whereas ii has always been the opnon Of tho
pcst CRITICS, That the fun in the character IN the
innate stupidity of Dogberry who thinks that h blun.
ders pearls OF eloguencc. Mr. Reynolds spoke the
lines Of Don Pedro sensib,y. Mr.. Hind who played Don
John, has bad figure and bad delivery. Ills artcca-
ton was muddy that but few words OF the part
could be understood by the audience. lie should also
remember that the bastard quiet. COOL calculating
villain-not rantirg, stlted scoundrel Mr. Chppen-
dale and Mr. Viz cent had small parts and played them
well. Mr.. j. Thompson cast Lsonato. and he
played during the first and second acts when he was
suddenly taken ILL., The remainder Of part was play
ed by II. b. Phillips, who v,ry clever in Il. Mrs
Conway played Beatrice for the first time anil every
thing considered, she got through with ID with
credit 10 herself She dressed wen. and gave the line
understapdngly. Skc made none Of The usual points
and though she gave the sharp lines Their fun eject slo
did not TO have he merry heart that BON Pedro
accrodits her with. Mrs. Conway always to be
struggling 10 got above the character she represents her
actions lack the and grace which essential ele
ments in high comedy and her laughter docs not
natural Under Mr.. wal!ack's management she has
made great Improvement but she il mol yet good
cdy actress.
The scenery capital, particularly the gordon
scene; the manage ment of light and shade the fa
was highly artistic. The dresses not up the
usual mark of excellence at this house. In the first
second and third acts all he characters except Beneik
and Peatrice seemed TO have bad difficulties with ia r
taors We must add word of praise for the execution
Of the song Sigh more, ladies' which eaptally
civ hv NJ IN nd