The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-02
Broadway Thsasre-Ths Egyptian.

"Ihs Egyptian" mslodrama in FIVE acts, - s0As,
H. wilkins, first played at the City Of LONDON
the 18th April 1862 produced here on wednes-
day night and played again last evening ON beth occa
sions to full houses The pay is in the respect OF effect
the best that the author gave to the public The
plot somewhat involved, but the main incidents ru,
thus-The is in the ancient city Of PALMYRA in the
reign of Queen Zenobia. That lustous parsonage hav
ing neglected to pay tribute to Rome her city
by army from the Eternal City, led by the Emperor
Aurelian The city menaced by foes without and trea
within. Antochus, of Zenobia's generals hay
ing been Tilted by her daughter, the Princess Julia,
solves to sell the city to the Romans in which he Is
assisted by Q mser, Huius. Julia loves young
Roman attached Zenobias court but cannot snarry
him because she is promised to Prince Of Persia,
the price of alliance which will be valuable to the
Queen during the war with Rome. Zabdas Egyptian,
Zenobas general who is also in love with julia acts
with unexampled magnanmity under the
and succeeds in securing the Queens consent to the
marriage of Julia and Gracious Antiochus, who il a
very great scoundre fired with rage this, and sue
ceeds in flying to the enemy and in making an attack
upon Palmyra just the happy pair about to
coed to the altar By the gaantry and forethough Of
the Egyptian General the enemy beaten back, and
Antochus taken prisoner which ends the third act
In the fourth act another assault is madethe city lis
taken-Antiochus and Zabdas have a hand TO hand
bat, in which the first named individual is killed. In the
fifth act we find that the affair total rout for Pal
myra the Queen and Gracious being taken prisoners and
Julia obliged to solicit protection from Zabdas, wha
has promised Zenobia that he win kill the
Princess ra;her than allow her to grace the
triumph of Aurelan That dignitary, however, turns
out to be very excellent person for Emperor and
he declares a general amnesty Gracious and julia
duly united but Zabdas refuses to accept the par
don of the Emperor and dies at the foot Of the altar
The play, will be seen, is very effective drama,
full of startling situations combats and stirring Incl
dents by food field" There is lack Of opportu
nifty for good acting in the principal part, Originally
played by c. D. Pit) and, at the Broadway, very finely
done by Mr.. Z. L. Davenport. Nothing could be more
graceful vigorous than his stylemore picturesque
and artistic than his attitudes-while in the general
ensemble of the part he displayed that evenness and
fullness Of deineation which is of the greatest
charms of his acting The other parts were respect
ably sustained. Mr.. Leffpgwels HUNS
excellent performance. There nothing else
above mediocrity. The performance went of
very smoothly and to the satisfaction Of very full
house. As literary work "The Egyptian is below
criIicismas acting play it will always be successful
with fine like Mr.. Davenport in the principal
part.
This evening at the Broadway, Mr. DaveDport's benefit
is announced Mrs 4. ViniDg, artist whose is
favorably known here will make her first appearance in
America, Margaret Elmore in Cloves Sacrifice" Mr.
Davenport Matthew. Mr. Morris Barnett viii also ap
pear as Mons Jacques on this occasion.