New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-28
WALLACK'S THEATER.

WALLACk'S THEATER.
Seldom do author, actors and managers combine to
place before the public dramatic treat complete in
every part SO glonously perfect in every detail Of
conicsty, o. the Shylock traveste Of Francis Tai.
fourd. pla, ed last night a, Wailack's Thestsr.
The play sef while following in plot the tragedy,
is go brilliant in it's w.t. so filed to the overruning with
every kind Of crazy, skyrocke'y, ingual funnyisms,
that could Shakespeare himself, and the other
tlizabetban worthless, have been there to see
he, would have freely forgiven the audacious
author, and enjoyed the joke to its funniest ex
tent 1t is certainly one of the best English
raveties ever imported and its success last night was
p,opnrtonable with its excellence All the conditions
were most favorable; the audience thoroughly en-
oyeo every line aud the actors fully entered into the
Iouickng rpiru Of the WI ole thing and played a.
though the affair were joyous impromptu froic
an.r lemselves, and not thing of tedious study
aud bothersome Iebearssls, and prompt book, and
stage managers ard all that sort of dreadful prepa-
ration"
Mr.. Tslfourd has followed to great extent the plot
al arrangement Of incidents Of Shakespeare Shy
lock- and the intelligent spectator enjoys with the
ereaiest zest the taDeous contrast which he Ia
fore. mentally to make, between the tragedy and the
essCg. rated fun of the travestie The leading situa
tom of the tive &C, play preserved with the most
ludic,ous fidelity, and the great scene of Shylock
with Tubal the choice Of the caskefs and the trial
lcere, are all burlesqued in the happiest and most
irresistible manner. IL does not drag hitch in any
way and, Growing glory Of funny play, there is not
10. much of 1.-THE curtain comes down just at that
happy moment when the audience have laughed their
heaui.s, aud are in a state of compete satisfaction
with every identical item of the entertainment. Pop
ular songs ard sprigh'ly dances are iuterspersed
,broug bout, all of which performed in the most
admirable manner.
The "Sbylock" of the evening was Mr.. John
Wood it being bis frst appearance at this theater.
He was thoroughly Israetish in makeup and manner,
ard bis whole peronaton was very peculiar and very
excellent II is a part which gives great scope to an
actor of marked originality, passng frequently, in the
apeous turn OF sentence from the deeply aud
intensely tragic to the brcadest extravaganza Of farce
TIL. believing jew, who at one moment istesrng
Lie be i'll the widest agony of tragic grief and the next
is SINGING the /" Ratcatcher's Daughters with
ero,esqe borpppe accom- animent executed upon one
l.p, cannot fail to make q very decided impression
up, u the beholders AID most favorable impression
did MIR. John Wood make and an excellent burlesque
actor il MIR. John Wood if we may believe his "Shy-
loek TO be fair sample OF his general behavior when
{" in public gu the stage" If he is as good in other
,hrps, we regret that Mr. Wood did not make bis ap-
pearspce in New York earlier in the day.
"Portia" was represented by Mrs. Wood, and her
capita uake.up in imitation of very popular mana
per.ss was instantly recognized and vehementy OPP
pla,d.d. Mrs. Woods "Portis" ia every whit as
preut a success as her "Minnehaha" in Mr.. Wslcots
buresque and what can be said moreI She has the
app, faculty of bringing out in all its most rreslstiole
force Every particle of fun Ia part, from the hnes
touches reuupg the mort daiptiy delicate hand
lir,. and which are appreciated only by few
Of tie most observing, to the broader hits
vi icL take the whole house fairly by storm.
AID apparently no one in the audience enjoys it half
70 ucb a. she; is surriDg over of sentences,
or cutting short of business" with her, but she acts
all TIE tine al if to neglect any the least, oppor
m ity tor securing hearty laugh, emitting joke, or
,siling to bnpg out and dwell upon every pun until
every listener comp'ehends it in its entire quiddty,
would be sin for which her conscience would
reIioach her fcrevemore. 1t is a pleasure to
her to act, and to act well-to make the most
Of a character-und she cannot deny herself the
pleasure Of 20 doing and that's the whole Of it. 1t is
treat aid gooo thing for the soul to her merely
walk on the stage with her springy step, her self
pUssessed "Iknow can. do-it sort of manner, her
fre bead and her pleasant face, so full of fun and
i.c .us life. AID her "POris" Is q masterpiece, and
ike other masterpieces description is thrown away
ppon it. 1t must be seen and enjoyed to be under
stooc and appreciated.
Mr.. A H. Davenport as "Gratiano," footmau,
mace great bit. HE songs and Duets were encored
sno his success was unmi,akeable, He is an admira.
die burlerque actor, and the experience OF last night
fully proits it. He il great favorite, and that he
wond be an acceptable ADDITION to the regular COM
pnpv of this establishment, we have doubt, the
manage melt will perceive.
Mr. II. b. Phillips a. Launcelot" has funny
scene or two which he does in his usual excellent man
per. al d Mr. Peters az " Antonio" was also comical
and consequently acceptable.
The "Nerissa" Of Miss j. Manners was very
ret,, performance and she received her full share Of
applause.
Mrs Emily Milton played Jessica."
The piece is repeated tonight, and all those who
want 10 see something in the theatrical line that IS
mott t ana sessonable and enjoya Die, should 90 and
zee "SbyIock, or the Merchant of Venice Pre-
seryed"
M,s. Wood might make sensation IN some OF tho
light comedies which have been played at Laura
K.eues. The Love Of a Prince" and several sim
liar pieces, are admirably suited to her style.
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AYArrycrISG SCENE On Sunday evening last,
GIRL apparently about thirteen fourteen years OF
=