The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-31
Managerial Benefits Last Might
Mr.. BUKrOSs ANNUAL BENRFIr-"THK MERRY WIVES
OF WINDSOR

.
sterling talent than was brought together in any
OF the previous representations OF this comedy in New
York. The following is the cast, which Is its own best
eulogy:-
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II is rare that the New York public are presented with
such dramatic treat at entertain nent and they tes
tied appreciation OF the managers efforts BY crowd
Ing the house deDsey that hundreds were unable to got
within the building, and the returns OF the box Office
must have been largo enough TO fl the capacious
pockets Of Jack Fasah hmself
The tertainmeDt Of last night was truly Shaksperan
festival The great dranatst never drew character
even the slightest in All OF them have some touch
of nature medocrty cannot interpret and hence the
eense of dissatisfaction lover Of the Drama always
experiences At witnessing ordinary production OF
Shskspere's plays where the smaller parts are ruined
by incompetent performers and the proportion OF
light essential to great dramatic picture
enrey dsregarded From this deficiency the revival o.
last night entirely free all the parsrom Falstan
down to sweet Anne Page were entrusted to first class
orises professional pride and etiquette for time giving
way TO a oesre 70 interpret Shakspere worthily
The Sir John Fasa Of Mr. Burton, though not his great
etage ALI the pecuaries that 60 TO make the great
character of the English drama have been care
fully studied by Mr. Burton and he reproduces them con-
ecentousy, without any effort TO exaggerate or produce
effect warranted by tie text. It was truly won
derful performance.
Mr.. waicot's Slender gem. Such exquisite act
ng we'd all the applause it received.
would be invidi)us 20 partcuarize the other perform
ers Suffice it to say that they all excelled themselves.
Haniu
the cement Some Of the new and
all were appropriate while the costuming and appoint
what might have been expected from SO pro-.
found a Shsksperean scholar as Mr.. Burton
The audience were vehement in the demonstrations OF
applause the Close and called the beneficiary oct.
Mr. Burton addressed the audience substantially fol-
lows
Ladies and Gentlemen-I am bu; too proud to BIO the
recipient of brilliant testimonial OF your approval OF
my course aver, and my humble merits as an
actor. have bad great pleasure in presenting you with
the Merry Wives OF Windsor supported by cast never
before ATTEMPTED in tbs city. The distinguished artists
who have aided by their efforts have consented on this
ue,e and oil parts which has enabled me to crescent you
with whole which ieel has afforded you sstisfsc
ton, For myself, | have been uuder the ne.
.of the Fastahs, bu, in justice 70 myself
] may be allowed to say that shall take the ear:
Hest opportunity of appearing before you in the Fastah
of "Henry the Fourth" (Grest splsuse.) On similar
last year expressed my sense Of the compli
proud and happy do again. but NJ the same time may
be allowed hope that 20 the manager the testimonial
will be repeated several successive evenings Appiause
After Mr.. Burton had retired, all the leading artists
called out, individually receive the plauds Of the
audience and the entertainment closed by the perform
ance OF Mr. Bur,or's own farce Of "Forty winks," in
which he assumed the part Of NUNS the Butonmaker
LAURA KEENs's THEATRB-" WHITE LIES
Miss Laura KeeIe announced her benefit last even
Eng and the announcement, together with the production
Of a play attracted full and brilliant audience
The play officially announced as adaptation by Cyril
Turner Of Charles Rese's popular novel; White Lies"
1t will within the remembrance Of readers that one
the London correspondents Of the HERALD nrst exposed
Roaaes piagiarsms and the matter then taken up
by the Athenaum, who gave him such sashing as will
dispose what literary reputation he has In England ana
that Is not much. This present story is proven 10y
che authority above quoted TO have been stolen from
frohch play, aud two instances We and the
French idom clunsiy conveyed INFO bad English TIC
audiences here, fear, are becoming heretcal upon
como ponis OF faith which orthodox with the mana
ges and respect FOR stupid piece By Tom
Taylor thar for one by Tom smith.
Az to"Whhe Lles,'' perhaps the adaP,er would have
succeeded better had he commenced prs0rt with the
French play. However, We shall see
The scene Is laid during the time OF the French hrec
tors TIE Baroness Besuepare (Mss wells) and her
daughters, Josephine fMss Keenc) and Laura miss c
Thompson) living In great poverty, and have 70 tell
white lies 10 keep up their state. Josephine
has been in love with one Camille puardin
<Mr. O. Jordaa) who has not behaved we'll,
and reputsd 10 be traitor to his country As well
o. 10 his mistress There Ia Edward Ryiere &C. W.
sod ia) who Is In love with Laura aud who, hearing
from Dard a. Jeerson), ee mocAe who has the usual
Irritation with the Adies maid ,Jacintha MRsC. hompson)
thAi the BeAurspAros dhtross drops purses In tt
garden. The ladies' detect him. and Laura concudes%
fall in love with him. In the next one Perrin,
notary proposes tho estate Josephine will marry
him That young person refuses, and snnbs him In the
most awful wsy. Riviere persuades his commsndant,
Raynal &C. wheaiegh), TO purchase the chateau. He
rough republican soldier, and also proposes TO jose
phine. She accepts condonally In order 10 satisfy
her mother who dosrcs 10 i've and die nj the chateau
The Josephine and gees OF the same
day to Join the army. Laura has told him white lie
about Camille, who nov appears lie has been in the
army wounded but gained honor and RANT. There Is an
exciting scene between the and Camlle the old
love comes back again josephine and the cid wounds
OF all kinds break affesh He threatens TO kill her
then proposes a double suicide but finally thinks better
OF and promises 60 away. Before he can do 80 the
news Raynai. the husband Of Josephine had
bccu killed battle. Camille secretly msrrics Josephine
month after, and white lies necessary. Raynd
not killed, but returns 10 hear that man has been
seen N the chamber Of his wife. Hc also mas an
amaiory letter, which ia claimed by Laura TO shield
josephine Raynai thcn resolves that Camille, the writer
Of the letter. shall marry Laura, which he refuses Of
course grand confession s made by Josephine 10 Ray
nall the previous marriage which simply civil
tract annuiied, and Josephine given to Camille, while
Laura marries Riviere
Some people cleverer than may be able 10 see
moral in a play where the only decent characters
those who punished. The women le throughout the
play and get their lovers Al the end Az TO the
lion ,of the work, the dramatic writer has not done
well. With such . stirring plot and strongly mark
ed characters no should have given crisp, clear,
compact dialogue, and little possible Of that;
on the contrary we have twice much necessary,
ara free aprlicafrop of the scseors will e