New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-04
DiRI 5 BLR THDAI" AT Laura
hEENE ) THEATER

AZ Laura Keenes Theater was given on niay
night fol the --t time, beautiful little threeact play
called Mary Birthday. Il ia douestic drama OF
the -ty Of The Little Treasure" Clouds aud Sla
shine" and Others which have won we.ldeservei pop
ularity and "a, il interest and iramatc effectiveness
equa TO the be- oftleu. Il Is home story; It has
fire SIDE favor, and loudly welcome in the pre.cat
deah on the s~-e OF pictures o. everydiy homely IT,
/, Is sketch OF two pairs of di-conten,d ,rae-lover'
who always at cross purposes, AMI al ways m'ua
Outstanding and misunderstood. but always brave and
hopeful Of the best. The thread Of the story +
lows: George Lordly Mr. Whea.leisll has Ss'd,
Mary Stiworh miss Laura keeuel, whom h. has
reared from child. They love "a d other dearly, no.
only as guardian and ward bat tenlcrer feeling has
grown up ard each chcrshes a secret snd u1sI,-
peced passion FOR the other. In the course Of
her si1irh days Mary had. however, engaged her
,ef 10 mauy Vernon Loriy lMr. j. a. smith t.,
Younger brother Of ger guardian. Alter tie engagement
has continued for year- Vernon, tired Of the cd
love- s with new, in the persln Of Ah'e ufv-
,hone Mise Ada Clifton, the daughter Of an old cer
gyman, who is supported by the hid zen bounty Of
George Loidy. Tbs filtration goes on tlrea'enng'y
until at last George believing that his wul loves h
Younger brcthcr, aud that her feelings re deeply
wounded by his attentions to another appeals 70 is
honor 20 conclude them a. once and keep his cnsl5'
ment with Mary. The wedding daj is iVei a'l
meant n wife # George who hal desert ID HIN
in hi. youth oppoItur,y dies, leaving him free 10
marry again. The wedding day arrives, but before
the ceremony an explanation is had, the secret loves
Of the whole four are brought to light t'eiE tar S
affections are unraveled, the ward mauies her guard
ian and the younger brother epouses the clergymans
daughter This mere outline will give perhaps faint
notion of the general run of the piece but conveys
no des of the hundred little Incl ents-so natural, and
so beautiful because natural-shic fill the play with
interest and make il drama 10 tou ID the heart and
bring the water into the eyes, There ls no strainins
for great effects no forced situations. and no sacr-
icng Of all proprety aud probability, to compass
pasmooc tabeau at the ends of the acts. All quiet,
easy, everyday truth. The play progresses smoothly
and equsly, and the dialogue, though sometimes-
especiay in the first acta little preachy, is generally
gtntlemanly and reasonable II ia good play, it
pleased the public and such plays always will please the
public II was well acted with single exception
Mr. j. A. Smith who appears not to have the slightest
paytice of entin eut in his composition but to be as
matteroffact a. a cooking sieve, sadly marred some
Of the best scenes by his hari, conventional manner
Mr. Wheatleigb acted the disnterested guardian with
great deal of quiet ysor, and With most iii appre
citation % the pahos OF the ch6ra ter VI $ heehe mas
comparatively lille 10 say or do, and the sane remark
is true Of Mss Clifton sld the same word OF general
CONNIE nda,on vii srply TO both.
The piece is beautifully puf upon The stage AM he
last scene, Mays b)uloir, ia exquisite.
Tho actors were oil called out to receive the comph.
mentary applause Of the audience after which, in ODE
Jience 10 q cell or the author, Miss Keene appeared
lefore the curtain ard spoke az follows:
n Gov | fgiyypa mo n 10 u
srpounce 70 you that the author Of this sHee drama s
MIR George yers of Baltimore, who you will collect
TOOK the prize offered by Mr. Forrest for An American
tragedy. He Wa then young man, but hope your
,tf rrorose to taSe hold Of him and bring lin for
ward