The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-15

have been expended
METROPOLITAN THRAy1E-s SCHAnYL."-This uelo -dra-
matte spectacle WAS presented for the Arst time in this
city, At the Metropolitan Monday, and has been
played since fair houses Schamyl" Of those
remarkably strong mecdrsmss, for the production Of
which the Ambigu Paris and the Standsed theatres,
London, eminsntly distinguished The plot il misty
pprports detail events In the life Of the Crcassian
hero, who first appears to us "fast' young man,
next q sort OF kasanello in small way, and anAly,
after variety Of adventuresin which he escapes from
large Numbers Of foes falls in love with Russian belle,
makes remarks about the Gar, and talks great
deal about hterty-he whips all the Russians and 10
unanimously chosen Imam of Circassiaa little dculty
to his Legitimacy being settled through the Kindness
Of his mother who Ia good enough to die in order to
lease her from unpleasant prsdicament After
peace ID concluded have the envoys Of the Western
Powers'-Fance and America )--ofsring their aid to
Schamyl against Russial
There many incidents in the Of the piece,
but the above to be the gt Of the plot There 10
Russian and Crcassian army, in very lax state OF
dscipline-a brass band in New York uniforms corps
de ballet that sadly needs trainngseveral processions
banners-a great deal Of gunpc wder and cosred
fires, well other adjuncts which generally
in this style Of pieces but the whole is thrown toge
Their CLOSELY and unpro6tably that it is impossible
to treat upon the subject in vein. Tho mill
tary art and the science Of diplomacy must have been
unknown in Russia and Crcassia ut the period Of this
piece (1S32) The scenery is new and some Of it 10
good but the carpenters have not done their work WE'LL
and vacant between parts Of set interfere
slightly with the effect The raft at the end of tho
fourth act was good.
The cast Of characters included every person in tho
company. The parts with the single exception OF
Schamyl are all bad, and the language ID trash. Mr..
Anderson walked through his part and displayed ami
nation except in speech He did not look Ike
Schamy who had in 1882 red hair and whskers sprin
ked with gray, while Mr. Anderson black hair and
pretty moustache The prevailing style Of complexion
among the Metropolitan Russians and Circassians
brunette We have heretofore believed that the nhab
tAnts Of these countries inclined to the blonde. Mr..
Eddy played an American adyenturer who helps TO
whip the Russians, and it rather good than other-
wise although there too many illusions to this glo
rious country Mr.. canoI was tho villain of the piece,
Doubtless he ID great scoundrel but he very
mysterious shout it that the audience in doubt
his intentions. He was always foied however. The
rest of the acting good AMI the Crcassans in tho
fourth act made the best stage mob have seen.
The tabeaux vvan in the third act very pretty:
and in the Miss Dawes gave some artistic
poses clever tours de and expressive pantomime.
Mrs Jordans performance Of Olga the best piece OF
acting in the piece.
The spectacle would be much effective with
attention TO detail in the carpenters and wardrobe de-
partments In piece Of this kind Is only to DO
achieved by perfect mechanical effects.