The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-22
Wallnck's Theatre.

There very full gathering this house last night
to witness the FIRST representation Of new comedy in
three acts entitled eThe Magic Marriage Some idea Of
the piece may be formed from the title and when we say
that 1t Is, to great extent, dramatic version Of
fairy tale, probability will not be looked for 1t shows
traces OF French origin but has distinctive character
in many material points. Tho plot is consistent and
developed with great nicoty and tho mise en- scene and
acting appropriate and effective. Two of the tab
oaus elected the warmes applause and the view of the
and the from tho chateau gardens with tho
bright shining over all could not have been more
to nature. 1t positively refreshing to the eye
The scene is laid in Genoa and its vicinity about 1c4O
when the belief in sorcery was almost universal The
Warehouses de volterra, lady with income Of 90 900
drcats, being detained at Naples by age and inf1rmes
sends her daughter naw the Countess do yoterra mrs
Hoey) Genoa her representative in lawsuit nyoy-
ing the possession Of property to the amount of ten mil
lions Of ducas For this reason and the better to carry
out project Of her own the Countess introduces herself
the Marquis Marid Minister Of Police mr. c. Fisher
the vertabo old lady, The Marquis becomes deeply
enamorcd Of her property nsinuates that without his
aid there will little chance of success offers his
hand and obtains promise that the Warehouses will
make immcdiac choice of husband. Malfrid uses his
influence in her favor among the judges and sends GER
tain gypsy, Zla Miss Moran) with instructions use
the strongest predictions in his behalf No discovers
the Countess disguise, and she pretcnds to have most
unboundod faith in the skill Of the fortuneteller
listens eagerly to what "the cards rclate,n then
Knowledge of futurity is derived from the Minister
Of Secret Police, bat promises to keep the secret
on condition that the sipsy win all her in
skill is tho Chcvaer Monte Ccni (Ar Lester Walack)
gay handsome knight who had formerly declined to ex
charge his bachelors liberty against the Counters and her
fortune because happening at that time very flush
Of money, he necessity to burthen himself with a
wife To gain his affection and secure him as husband
is the object Of the Countess plot and having secured the
aid of 2a she entrusts her with valuable caskct of
diamonds and gold for the Chcvaler, who is believe
tc{ oli
arrives pursued by his host OF creditors and avoid
immediate arrest, is Obliged to imporc shelter for the
night under the roof OF the disun Warehouses The
old lady is shocked and indignant, and will only accord
such protection TO husband Cellin has little ambition
to wed lady sixty years Of age but his necessities
urgent and admit Of delay, and after desperate eff
fort he resolves to sacrifice himself to the old sycorax
and rather than go prison until his debts
paid especially tho latter might be postponed con-
siderable time The marriage to take place Immediately
Zla comes to the young mans aid and pretends to ai
minister charm to the Warehouses which restores her
to youth, and natural consequence the Chevaer
falls deeply and truly in love. fresh complication now
takes place. for the old lady has disappeared and Celni
Is accused Of having married tho old Marchoncss her
fortune and with view to get rid of her he had
secured the keys Of her Golfers he therefore arrested
suspicion of foul play. In his horror and distress
7lla reappears and processes to able by counter
charm to bring back the antique dame Cclin refuses
to sacrifice the youth and beauty of his Countess but his
scruplcs do not avail the potion is administered and
what is still worse Zia, in her agitation gives
dose and the young husband secs his wife return
bling and toterng something moro than century old.
The Chevaliers distress is extreme but does last
long for the Countess convinced Of his love- confsscs
the mposture and its cause. Marid announces tho
successful termination Of the lawsuit, and all acknow
ledge that womans wit is once more in the ascendant
Lester walack, as the Chevaer Ceini, appeared to
great advantage and had nne field for the Of
his most telling qualities, while Mrs. Hoey tho Marchi
oness rather exaggerated the nfrmcs Of age but on
the WHOLE sustained her double character very credit
ably the character most natural to her OF the two
she was admirable. Mr.. Fisher. Malfredi acted his
part woll and Miss f. Morant the Sorceress showed
TINT she an Of considerable merit The second
act is decidedly the bcst Of the three.
The farce OF The Scapcgoat' followed in which Mr.
George Holland and Mrs John Seton made their debut
very successfully.