The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-04-21

Dramatic and Musical Matters.
We give elsewhere important announcement TO dra-
matte authors. 1t offer from Mr. Joseph Proctor,
the well known trsgsaan, of thousand dollars for
five act raeedy, and five hundred dollars for drama in
three four acts. The offers LIBERAL and trust
that Mr. Proctor win get two good pieces and make
great deal OF money by them. he oil the very best
American actors.
Dramatic authorship has been ct rather low ebb in
this country and will be much improved unless
Congress shall pass the bill giving to plays the pro
lection that other original works receive. Az mat
tiers stand now, the author is without any protection
Whatever and the consequence that managers
obliged TO depend English pieces that usually stolen
nom the French. We do not know dramatic author
in this country strictly speaking but the material is
here, and get the dramatic authors copyright
shall have plenty of good plays local subjects There
is hope that the bill viii pass this session, the
Speaker Of the House and many members being in favor
OF it; but there is to push 1t through with
champagne for the MEMBERS AMI kid gloves for the lady
obbyers, 1t may fall through.
We hope that Mr.. Proctor's offer may bring out
hing good Previous endeavors of the kind have
fruitful. Mr. Forrest has several original pieces
which original trash and Mr.. Barney Williams offers
last year resulted in bad farce. But still there Is
hope. Read Mr.. Proctor's advertisement gentlemen,
and,sharpen your pens.
The city theatres doing good business The sprog
trade has brought to the metropolis thousands Of sran
gers and perhaps small amount Of the prosperity Of
New York is owing to the superiority Of places of
public amusement.
THE MAIEIAK OPERA CAMPAIGN at the Academy pro-
crosses brilliantly. The house Wednesday and Friday
crowded. and no whore we see 80 brilliant sight
at the Academy when the opera out strong
Verdi seems to be the avorts composer with young New
York just now and the very fine performance Of Epsni
Wednesday, has elected loud call for its repetition,
and It win be given tonight with La Grange, Moreli,
Bolcioni and Colstt No artist since Bosio taken
such hold of the hearts Of opera goers Nine La
Grange, and it is unfortunate that she viii leave
in the height Of her popularity. We are
glad to be able to inform the fair admirers Of the tenor
Brigno that he is convalescent On Wednesday Of this
week are to have civilian Tell," and Saturday
extra performance Of Flotows "Martha " in German
AT TIE BROADWAY THEATRE Mr.. and Mrs. Barney WI
liams have been playing to crowded houses They have
appeared in nothing Lew, bat have given each night
selection Of their Light and pleasant pieces They always
send the people happy and well satisfied and that
more than be said Of classic five act TRACE
dies. Tonight Mr.. and Mrs. Williams appear in the dra.
ma called 'The Fairy Circle the farce Of 'Our CALI
and the buretta, srhe Happy Man." Mr.. Joseph Cowe
the Oldest actor in America, believe and author Of
American stage, is to have benefit At this theatre on
Wednesday, and "take,' in the language of the bills
"his final leave of the American stagen Mr.. Coweu is
Englishman, and intends to return to his native
country.
At LAURA KEENEs VARIETIES the chief event of the weak
was the benent of Mr. H. Hail. which took place satur
day. The beneficiary honored with of the fullest
houses Of the Two debts announced-Miss
Emma Hall, as Charles the Second, in GIANT Heart
Never Won Fair Lady" and Mr.. Lionel Goldsmd, Bill
Downey, in the time honored farce of the Unfinished
Gentleman" Both we're clever and amateurlike Miss
Hall has pleasing presence, but frightened, and it
would not be proper TO criticse her under the ccum
stances The bill for this evening at the Varieties includes
4" Dreams Of Decisions" and "Sant Aarys Eve" Miss
Keene acts in both pieces. Mr. Jordan has been ill., but
this evening. So accomplished actor as Mr.. Jordan
should not long be absent from the boards Mss Keene
underIines The Marble Heart" lies Files de Narbre.
Mr.. Thomas Chandler has seeded from this company
and Mr.. Lcveday has joined it.
At Burrows THEATRE, the new comedy, IT'S III Play
ing with Edged Tools" has not made great hit 1t is
nevertheless, amusing it announced for this evening
for the last time Mr.. Burton the farce
called The First Class" for Wednesday, and also
derlnes Bayle Demands comedy The Evil Genius
which produced last month at the Haymarket thea
tire, London, with cast which included Blackstone,
Compton and Chppendale 1t is in three acts The bill
night in addition to The comedy the
farce called Jenny Lind" and urgent Private At
fairs"
Mr.. wAIIAcK has been drawing crowds to his own
theatre for the past four weeks and it is than
the stricest "Sunday school TRUTH" Mr. Mon gue
would say to remark that the people who go show the
best of TASTE The pieces In which Mr. Wallack acts
perfectly well performed, nicely acted and surpass
ingy well mounted. The Scholar" the Stranger
and the "Merchant of Venice have been the a.trac-
tons for the past week. The Honeymoon" is az
nounced for to night with Mr. Walla:k Duke, MIS-.
Hoey Juliana Mr. Lester Rolando, and Mr. Walcot
as the Mock Duke. good cast.
At NBLo's GARDEN, the Ravels and Mlle Robert
doing fine business The bill this evening udes two
pantomimes for the Ravels and a ballet for Mle
Robert Nbio is on the way home from Europe with
novelties.
At the BowmY TlE4TnE, the new season progresses
well The company is good one-the leading artists,
Mr. and Mrs Prior being especial fsvorites. The ball
for this evening national drama, "The
Dark Days Of the Revolution and "Ths Serious
Family" Mr.. JIG. Dunn and Mr.. s. W. Glenn have
oined the company.
At the BROADWAY VARIETIES, the Marsh comedians ap-
appear night in 'The Golden Farmer" and Perfec-
tion." This pleasant little theatre crowded every
night.
AtWooDs MINISTRIES, 444 Broadway very nice bill is
up for this evening, including new farce, Nicaragua
State ecrets."
At THE CRY ASSEMBLY Rooms this evening concert
will be given ia aid of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson As will DO
by their advertisement the bsnsGcarss havs pesu
liar claims the public patronage.
At ACADEMY HALL, this evening" Tom Thumb, the oele
brated dwarf receives his friends
At EMPIRE HALL, the last exhibitions Of Smiths PIANO.
OF Sebastopol announced Mr.. Keller will give
his tcJleauz pipdnts here next week
MASON BKReMANN's sacred musical soiree win take
place at Dadworth's Academy Tuesday Mrs. Brinksr
hof will assist.
Mr. EsFEDs thirty third and last concert of the