New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-14
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LdURA KEFNE'S THEATER.

The first representation Of ne " comedy seldom IaB
TO attract large audience and Dday evening Wss not
the rare exception the tbeser was full the prod1cnjn
of new tbIee-sct comedy by Mr.. Oion Bourccaut
being the Interesting event that induced the cohvoca
,iop AD audience seldom rits aitenrvely or de-
purt better peaeed, than old the people who visted
Miss Keepes Tbea,er on Monday night. The piece L.
one of rbe pleasantest with which we have been IA
vored tbi. season, and Mr. Bourcicaut cannot feel
otltryise than ,atshed with the enthusiastic reception
secm ded TO his work.
TIE oame Of the piece, "Vaniiy Fair" doubtless
induced many to look for stage venon OF the novel
OF that PANE Such were disappointed; for although
there is an umsts able Frencby favor plainly percep
tble about the iisce the playwright has borro we'd
from tie Eo, lsb novelist nothing bu; name for his
comedy. The play is Lot founded on the book and is
not indebted TO it for even remote suggestion To
quote the lucid language Of the small bis, this play
t, poses to ridcule be weakpess of many Young men
Of pr.seDt day, who thok IL fiue to affect vices
they 90 not really possess and who profess tsses for
things which really disgust them, or exhibit coarse
manners foreign to their feeings."
Each character introduced lie supposed 10 be the re-
.stnts tive OF society man. affecting SPECIAL
wee, .nd making 1t the perpetual boast aud brag OF his
empty life. While we cannot recognize all the por-
all pos.tss that certain delee of truth which gives all
ID. force to caricature. While there scarcely char
setter that is not 100 hig7J colored, there is not
that does not have underlying basis of undeniable
reality easily recognizable through all the exsggeradon
And it is ths fact that gives point 10 the characterize
lion and makes the audience overlook the several in
conssebcies of construction and accept the whole as
Gu, it'll satire upon certain fashionable sfectao0s.
The story upon whica tic whole plot built is very
slight and ,tss IN ire in the hands of three persons:
hefarber o c Lambert; bic son. Edgar Lambert"
and "R se, peasant ghl Edgar" whose father i.
trsdetman, leaves home for Paris, where he remains
seven Yeas Here be falls into society which
ci apses his feelings that he becomes ashamed of
his Daura emotions and affects to be dead to all seu
sation Of pain or peasare-in shorr, used up"
Tbou.h keeping Up this affectstion Of perfect imper
tuI bs' lily his gay companions, he permits hinse
to ia IN love with the pretty girl whom he viz
lis, diguted as a blacksmith. HIS father, to w1om
lbe great change IN HE cons lie unknown,
comes to Paris 10 him. finds him rev,ling with his
companions, by whom the old is received with
jeers and ndcue, while the son dsowns and refdfes
10 recognize him. f gar" IT, however, finally con
WINGED Of his folly his affected npasabty,
ano after msny iribu atoms, forgiven by his father
ADO married by " Rose"
Around this slender thread Of plot are ranged the
other ei araciers with ii tie relevancy bat with great
effect There is one, Hector Pate" $ man vsin Of
Bis roush stable Manners Bragiort," whose vanity
is duels "ymgnie Pate +" whom j, suiIs 10 bully her
bnsbatd 10 private, he expressing the utmost do
city and tender affection before the eyes Of an OBJ
ing world Then there are " C.atrava" bogus
Italian Count, maxine Latour," an artillery officer
tt<t.. IN,l
RsndtJs; also Baaclsva, female circus rider, and
a certain " Mile. Celeste neither of whom hsve any
thing do with the play, bat merely introduced
becapse there happened DO couple OF good-looking
" omen in the company, who would not otherwise be
in the piece.
From this weak plot, and uRpg all this homogeneous
material Mr. Bouicieault has constructed play that
delights audience for two happy hours. If we laugh
LET US not pIumble at earcauref we amused, lot
"a not demand perfect consistency.
The COMEDY is Ms admirably acted a. could be. Mr..
BouIccauls Edgar" is Of his happiest persona
tons; the Hector Pate" Of CIR. +. A. Vincent is the
best thing he has done at this thoater. Mr. Peters
pays the p'ire-fb hing groom in his own iDimitable
manner III Mr. Leeson acted Of the villagers so
excelltn y that he won enthusiastic applause.
MeSIt. C. Fisher, Burnett and Wheatleigh were all
capital. Minis Robertson has little part which she
plays IN her most captivating style, and MISE Keene s
veIy good as the Amazon in private life. Cannot,
however, th, boTsewhppine scene be omitted IL is
the crest social impossbioidy of the play. The other
ladies' bad polhipg to do bat look pretty and they
be cb~ged with no failure in this respect. Vanity
Fair" ia cure success.
President Lord of Dartmouth ColIeoe thou yh rs