The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-04-09
Laura Keene's Varieties" The Kings
Rlval.n

Miss Keene presented new five act play ON Monday
nsA under the above title 1t s the work Of Tom Taylor
snd les Rade WAS first produced at the opening Of
the Saint James theatre London, about two years
since, when Mr.. G. vandsnhon, Mrs. Seymour, Misc
Gynn and Mr. Mead sustained the principal parts 1t
has also been played at the Boston theatre and in Cali
tosna It at the Broadway last season. for tho
bsneAt OF the Misses Goughenhe but acted The
laid In England during the reign Of Charles the
Second and the plot illustrates the loves of the Duke of
Richmond and Frances Stewart "a belle Sewart) Rich
naond 10 on the seas pitching into the Dutch. and
seeming home he finds the King in love with the Stewart
4 grand ensues between the lovers Richmond get
Ting full of patriotism and claret (queer for that Duke
e patriotism, not the caret) afxsa his autograph to
some reasonable papers rendered by fifth monarchy
an Major Wildman and does several more things tend
ing enrsge the other Stewart After great deal
Nh than there any necessity for Nell Gwyn, the &C.
iEsss, steps in and makes treaty of peace al round
Tls play to have been written for the purpose Of
contrasting two types Of female character in the
jolly rolicng, laughing actress and the naughty and
f1ga eouIt beauty. This part Of it very nicely done
bit there enough of it for than three asts
1t win be seen that the authors have taken some
Nbsrtiss with the Muse Of Hstory-a lady who must be
med TO that sort Of thing by this time however The
plot Of this play Ia too much elaboSaed and sometimes
becomes tedious the reason that has abiding
interest in sympathy with any Of the characters unit
Mistress Gwyn begins to diplomatic between Richmond
and his love. The arch and sprghtly manner in which
Miss Keene gave these scenes wasruy refreshing; but
should not be obliged to wait long for it. This
WAS the more apparent most Of the actors failed to
rive that light and gay spirit to the scene which the
sposh requires The King Mr. Dickinson) infected
with 4 mild melancholy which, however pleasant
and interesting 1t may be At times deci-
dsdly out Of place in this part. There was none
Of that courty reckessnsss that exquisite urbanity,
that ceasing flow Of spirits, which made Charles
he idol Of his people, while they knew that he was hum
bugging them in the most awful manner. My Lord
Bueahurst {Afr. Coandler) should have been court
butterfly . gallant who, ii he had lived in our day,
would have made the most extraordinary wAiscoa the
highest Of trousers and had the natest of terriers and
Tie fastest Of trotug horses. But Mr. Chandler made
him commonplace person, not at all fascinating either
N dress or manner. Mr. Jordan very good in Rich
mond, and he delivered the excellent speech to the
smory Of Cromwell very finely. La Belle Stewart was
acted by Miss Reynolds 1t performance
lacking vgor and finish, but still good in parts Miss
Reynolds improves. II she win give this part more
dignity, and indulge less in mock hsroics abe will
and her account with the audience.
The play have been written chiefly to display
Nsn Gwyn. in favorable light. The bographers have
dealt lightly with Nelly whose vices to have been
rather the result Of bad company than bad hea0 She
was sad rogue, however, Notwithstanding what they
may say about her; and her idea Of ssport"
thing Of the toughest. Miss Keene gave us . nicely
soored picture SOLDERING down the stronger tnts and
sending the people with very favorable opinion Of
poor Nelly" her royal master called her. II there
any fault about Miss Kesne's acting 1t that she
refined the character little too much. 1t highly
eshed BY the audience and must be cassed among her
most successful eorts Miss Keene looked pref
FER and her costumes exceedingly rich, tasteful
and correct. Nell had step ued out Of her frame at
Hampton Court Gallery it could not have been more
natural.
Mr.. ReA played Major Widman with much unc
ton, and although ct times it was . little
too intense, yet on the whole it was quite
cleverly done. Pepys-the unfortunate SamueI-s bur-
lesQued by the author, and Mr. Johnston wisely con-
cluded to make him funny, and save him from being
bore The play, ~ whole is quite interesting. 1t
needs the scissors however, and will undoubtedly get
them: The houae was full and the people apparently
satisfied.