New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-28
WALLICK'S THEAIER.
THE NEW COMEDY.

s qualification TO be enabled mt last 10 announce
with certainty the real solid substantial identity of tina,
battling myth whose ghosty designation is Gentle
man OF this City" Last night, Mr.. +. G. p. Wilkins
dramatic critic Of The Neso- York Leader, and who, we
are informed dgn6es by bis literary efforts the edi-
tora stall of another journal of this city, acknowledged
the phantom corn and permitted his to be given
in 10 the yocerous demands of the audience for
the author" of the new piece.
The play ia called Henrietta" and has, thanks 10
The good taste Of Mr.. wilkins lower subtitle.
The bills tell that it is translated from the French
and adapted to the American STAGE" but with mod
esty which can scarcely fail to make Mr.. Wilkins the
" sensation" author Of the day, do not claim for him
the original authorship of the comedy. And yet we
are enabled, from personal knowledge TO state that
Mr.. Wilkins is not lately from the country, but has
actually been member Of the New. York press for
| number of years. Of course now prepared 20
ndorse most unhesitngly the wild belief of the gen.
eman who put record his conviction that wonders
| will never cease. ...
" Henrette" is three act comedy, which is put
the stage with expensive attention 10 scenery and
all things that give effect to play, that does
credit TO the management of this house, of
the characteristics of which is thorough excellence in
all such regards. The house was despite the uniavor-
able weather filled with most enthusiastic audience.
The plot of the piece scarcely adms OF Ineligible
analysis. the company having its first presentation,
made some curious work of scene two in the early
part of the play, and thus slightly bewildered the
auditors. But the play is HoSt thoroughly and COM
petey successful, and after thoso prosy ioreshadow-
ngs Of the after story that indispensable TO every
play and that always endured rather than enjoyed
by the 1tlc, bad been duly placed among the minutes
Of the past was enjoyed to speculative extent by an
audience whose very presence in the teeth of such
weather was noble compliment in itself.
The first act has a redundancy of dialogue, that is,
Il is talky and perhaps this fault makes itself slightly
felt even in act second, but this blemsh is easily
remedied when once recognized. In literary math-
cma,ics dramatic subtraction lie by far easier than adj
dition.
As soon as the outline Of the story Il skeehed by the
various characters in tho opening scenes, the incidents
begin to be appreciated in their full force and succeed
each other with a rapidly and comic effect almost
bewdering and keep the audience in perfect gale OF
laughter. The incidents, border somewhat on the
improbable, but are, by reason Of their power,
sbundanty eNcusabe, and the alterations, If not abso'
lately new, are arrived at by such unusual and
effective combinations of happenings that they come
upon the observer with All Irresistible effect The
adaptation is admirably made, the language is bril-
liant, and perfectly free from slang, and all the local
references aud nllusions appropriately made, and
not dragged forvbly with malice, &c.
1t is perhaps, almost matter Of course, TO say that
the acting is admirable all through, AMI yet justice to
the various actors oompes the ihousandh repetition of
that theatrical ruism Mr. Lester Wallack had part
that suited him. The may be sid Of Mn. Hoey,
while Mrs Mar Cannon made her bright appearance
for an occasional minute two at hourly intervals,
and had no chance act TO show her pleatant
face long enough at time Ia get a hearty recogni-
ton. IL seemed IL something was wrong about the
part played by Miss Cannon; II i had all been sud
denly omitted but the rst ard the correspond
ing exit, or some trihe Of that sort.
Mrs. Sloane and Mis- MoTant did the bes. that could
be done with small psris. NJ. Morton played good
part eXooIently weH. Mr.. Floyd also good.
Mr.. Young had one OF those opportunities, that come
Too seldom with him, to chow that he is q thoroughly
good and admirable artist, and that he but waits bis
time 10 prove that he much better artist than he has
yet been able 70 show.
In reply 10 an enthusiastic call for the author Mr.
Lester Walack announced the name Of Mr. Wilkins,
of The Lsadcr and aso stated that the piece will be
acted every nigh, till the public ia otherwise notified