New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-02
THKATKRs


The season has opened favorsbly at the Broadway
Yhcater, 90 far a. the magnitude Of tho audiences
and the popular success OF the perform ances sre
concerned. Mr.. John L. Owens Is an attractive
I" star" and thu humor Of bis presentations in
A" Married Life and The Peoples Lawyer" of
sets anumber ofdefcencics in the general rcpresen
tston OF these pieces. We are not disposed TO think
that M OHens's best qualities have yet been
revealed. IT'S share in Married Life" is not sufi
cicntly prominent to attract undivided attention to
Linself-whicL Is sheer necessity when the sup
porting company is so feeble as in the present case
and in "Ths Peoples Lawyer his effects, al
though lHdicrous 20 tho limits, not OF al order
upon which an artist would vsh 10 bass his repu.
tston. Married Life" indeed, strikes us "a be-
Ing one OF the least advantageous plays for the Pur
poses Of :" star comedians that the stage pos
scsses. II Is dull production Of duh actor,
and has no single valne beyond that Of deIterous
mechanical construction, which the practical ex-
pscience OF actors who arc also authors enables
them to arrive at with groat facility. Al best tits
play Of smart Situations" Tbs numerous per.
sons represented are Ike tho clumsy cariosturos
Of fsntoccini show, and are all alike,
destitute Of artistic Importance. The onlJ chance
Of positive success with such Q piece lies in an
equally skillful vivid and ingenious deliDcaton Of
each Of the eight characters which compose it.
Such performance OF "Marriod Life" we have
once socn and OH tie whole, devotcdly trust 10 be
spared the necessity Of ever seeing it again. An
inforor representation is almost ntoerable There
fore wo think that Mr.. Ovens, notwithstanding the
merit OF his pcrsonation Of Henry Dove, has done
himself injustice In choosing so questionable .
piece for his opening week. We have little doubt
that in other plays no will establish himself as
popular fsyori,e. He has fine natural gifts, the
readiest sense Of theatrical humor, and continually
displays the bounding and elastic spirit. He has
been heartily applsudcd every night.
The company at the Broadway Theater Is not
vha, II should b.; but we understand that the man
agcment has been embarrassed by the non-fal1l-
raent Of certoin engagements. ard wait for future
developments before speaking decidedly on this
point Miss Alice Placde. Mr.. DE Groot, and Mr..
4. Ovens are az present the only members Of whom
we oar speak complimentary.
The olympic Thester will open next Monday
eycnirg With new English domestic drama fconic
underploo, entitled "MinaLrs Crime" now
actcr, Mr.. W. Hoiston, viii appear for tho first
time in America in the most important character
The entire cas-, appears In oar slvsrtsins columns
Mira. John Wood viii rslPpeer in the comcdietta
entitled, The Conioal Countess"
~ Eiblos Garden Miss Matilda Heron u attract
ing overlooking suilienses, With hes last nights OF
I" Camille She viii appear but twice MORE Mr.
Forrest being engaged for the eommsncenent Of
the regular season mex; week.
Mr.. s. Chalkc's prosperity OF the Winter Gar
den continues undiminished. Everybody
Friend" ard Tho Rough Diomond attiao'
sudl,pcos OF nightly Increasing dimensions