New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-10-31
THE DRAMA.
FRENCH THEATER.

Les AmOurs dc Cleopatra is the title of a
comedy in three acts, by Messrs. Marc, Michel
and De LacOur, which was presented for the
first time at the French I'll. alter on Tuesday
evening. 1t introduced some new candidates FOR
the favor Of the American public The designation OF the
piece is not the most opposite that could have been
eeted Hard Fl ght for Husband would have been
more appropriate title The interest Of the play IS cen
tered in Partisan heroine of dubious standing, Cleo
patre Mile Rullc the mistress Of one GuiSt' on Ham
iton who is about to discard her and to marry Cse5e
(Aile Juliana) daughter Of Codere on La Roche.
Gulsi in order TO facilitate and justify his abandon
ment of cleopatra endcavor, with the assistance Of his
friend Lddcchc 10 find evidence Of her nfdclity to him
and this purpose the precious pair vay nack her
apartments. Even the personaOn by Lardche OF con-
eeaed lover his concerted discovery and other unworthy
expedlents prove shallow fOr tho keen Wit and quick
perception of CoDairc TIereupOn CliSlR grows dcs-
perate he knows that, IN tie mean time his bride is
waiting, with the notary. TO sign The marriage contract
His final escape by fcgning sleep couch the subs
tuition Of his friend for himself, and other rapid and anus
Ing transitions With which the piece abOunds too
numerous and volatile 20 admit Of description.
The opening of the second act. representing
the notary in company With the bride
and her relatives oh fast asccp and snoring wait
lng for the bridegroom produced very cOmical effect
The arrival OF the scout sent In search OF the delinquent
and finally OF Lurcbe who presents his friends excuses
display similar and equally lIughahie ingenuity. The
confusion arising from the cOncerted plan OF deception
pfactced by the tardy 6aRec, who is made halt
between lame leg aud dreadfuly swollen face which
shifts Its prouberauce with miraculous facility, also
forms the elastic staple Of rich supply OF mrh Again
the signing of the marital compact between Gasiia and
Csebie essayed, bat the dashmg Cleo appears
scene, and with cOnsummaie audacty announces herself
ms GHtS sister She then quickly makes herself mis-
OF the situation and INDUCES in simulated madness
and which breaks up che party, most admired
disorder In the third act, when GNsan returns cxult.
fte nj
by which he has securely confined Ci69pQTe in tower
he finds that Uscb has with the consent OF her father
transferred her affections his friend Lard,che but
having justified his conduct Dc sin insists upon the
fulallment OF the matrimonial negotiations which
had been so pcrsistcntly interrupted News
however. arrives at the hotel that Cltopoe has
thrown from tower and murdered and Cuiis,1o. aud
his friends suspected Of tho crime, debarrcd from
egress But CieOgoiIe j. still alive active, and hrcprcs
ele and though Uscbe attempts To persOnae her 10
ure the escape Of her party the heroine OF the deD
monde favored by fortune well as her Wit and in
anite address, triuInphs over all opposition restores
Tsebie 20 Lardoche and rccaptues Gist. who appears
AT last TO submit 20 his fate and wcd0ck with the happy
resignation Of AN oriental faais The most prominent
and pleasing feature OF the Performance was Mile Rel
Iers Irresistible Cle0pac, which oycfii0wed with de-
Ijclous absurdity lcXubcrant DASH milniclIy, mock
uatbos and sparkling yvacity. Her extravaganza
exceeded the requirements OF the character, aud
always agreeable, because never vulgar. She was wen
received and her success fully morcd Tic COdcrWe
of NJ Roche was given with unctuOns iugenu0uscss,
ard the G,iisto Of NJ Hamilton, nnd the Lor,cche OF W.
Caron with flexible force and natural bumor thas i'm
parted felke semDance Of reality 70 the representa-
fon The minor parts without assuming updnc promi
hence were neatly executed and contributed
essentially q the general effects OF this thor
ouehIy French aud very amusing little comedy !
Un Oaprice, by Alfred dc Musset-which followed |
although condensed into oDe act 10 rnteD ~ /