The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-08
A M U s e M { NJ r s.


the full strength OF Madame Ristori's dramatic company
Tho little Theatre Francais abaze with gloes that
bat too rarely charm the eye Of the pleasure seeker
in this city Of extravagant sights It il
generally tho reproach OF our theatrical displays
that the cheap splendor Of tinse carries the PALM that
meretncous dazzle is accepted satisfying all
qurement, and that whoever can catch the eye need
give himself trouble to address cultivated thought
or that true taste which Is its host result That this
sumed standard does not really give true idea OF the
intellectual character OF paygoers is shown the
great success achieved last night by performance
Stunning very different standard Of excellence Madame
Rstori presented In herself impersonation OF the
highest order OF dramatic ability and to inspire
all who came around her on tho stage with her own
ndelity and spirit In the Interpretation Of tho passions
Of the story; the drama recited once more
well known events but grouped them with such art
such power and by them made such direct appeal TO tho
common emotions Of our nature, as to achieve the
grand triumph Of this class Of intellectual effort lead
ing forget kings queens in IL persons OF men
and crushed by great miseries; and while the
accessories the scenery dresses music &C., filed tho
eye and charmed the ear not only dazzle and
distract for there was TASTE study, truthhstorc
curacy in all Thus there was ensemble Of great
artists a great theme treated with unusual power and
series Of historic scenes presented with exhausc
accuracy. Tho aud ence worthy OF the occa-
son, brilliant assembage OF fashion, beauty and Gull
ture.
The play tells effectively the great story OF the
Revolution, especially its wrought out the
sombre destiny OF the members OF the royal family IL
opens with prologue that gives the atmosphere aud
sentiment OF the life in the years before the con-
vocation Of the States Generavears Of trouble enough
in the State but years sparkling gaety and extaya
giant abandon dissipation and distraction at Versales
when the whole OF life to live with ii,tlc care Yet
the moving spirit OF the age already throws shadow
the pleasure OF the little franon. and the comedy
OF Beaumarchaisthat savage satire OF the old society
seeming only to laugh while 1t cuts deepiy--is the
theme The prologue introduces many OF the charac
tiers. In the first at into the tunnt
OF the Revolution We hear the murmnr OF the popular
voice, whose calmnies against the Queen roach the
royal palace. Even copy Of Marat's famous "Ami
du Isnpe is read with one OF Its characteristic
assaults royalty The construction OF this adj
mrable in all respects and intensely dramatic It's con-
cuson is especially eoctive-exhibng bold act OF
the Queen presenting herself and tho Dauphin the
mob IRON the balcony. The second exhibits the in
trgue and struggle OF demagogues and patsans giving
a finally written scene between Marie Antoinctte and
abeau in the garden Of Versailles In the latter part
OF this act Is given Wow OF the attempt to make Louis
constitutional monarch and the act closes in his
luton 70 the troubles OF his position BY light
The third introduces Robespiorre the acobn politics
and tho Reign Of Terror aud closes with magnentiy
Augusta scene OF tho mob forcing Itself
into the .Tuilere5 and to tho very presence
the beast turns the dss and
qusely pathetic in theme and detail II presents tae
Kings apartment in the temple prison and terminates
with his departure for the place OF execution The h
act presents the Queens apartments the temple
horrible separation Of the Queen and dauphn when the
latter is given tho tender Of the taller
Simon; and the epilogue prison OF tho Conc,er
gcre shows the Queen condemned TO death and in the
hands of tho executioner
Is obvious that in play OF this character tho
dency IS to the cxravagant and Sensational. and it is
fun recognition OF the genius aud judgment OF tho
author to that he gains the full effect OF ali tho sua
tons indicated gives each point in the story It's iul
value yet never oends good taste in the pursuit
effect His spirit in this regard perfectly caught by
his interpreters Ristori in the prologue only
brilliant queen-the soul and centre OF the gaety OF the
court and never did the stage SEQ more exquisiteiy
realized glimpse OF that vision that Burke has mado
familiar In the first act there is wonderful change Of
spr, and the laughing beauty has become the thought
full woman and heroic queen The tho balcony
rather splendid piece of impulse than studied
action and carried this feeling with in the thrill with
which il electrified the audience Not less fine ia tho
direction the of the third act In
which the queen confronts the mob From this 10
the END the queen Is lost in the pathetic history of tho
high soued proud, sensitive woman crushed in her
affections and Inundated in her pride The sentiment OF
this part OF the playso widely contrasting with that
which It opens the actress has the widest possible Geld
for the display of her wonderful abilities and Il Is this
range and the readiness Of tho artist meet all tho
requirements OF the which will entite her class
this latest part OF her greatest successes.
Where all parts were filled with such equal excellence
1t is hardly fair perhaps to specify particular artists
yond the great leader yet Sgnorina santecchs nrpre
talon OF the part OF the princess Lanbac and Sgnor
Bczzos dcneation OF the king should pass without
especial praise for their spirit and
Tho mounting Of the play is in keeping with the rest.
The scenery not be surpassed in any theatre In the
world II Is only magniceny painted but possesses
the higher merit OF historic rati-thc various pieces
being actual copies OF the apartments in which several
OF the cast Tho costumes, also historic
ally Our millinery assistant contributes
Of the toiettes OF Marie Antoineite which possess
peculiar interest Tor republican ladies' We need hard
~ say that sGcn memoranda give the least
impression of the effect that these dresses have giving
realty and life to the drama
F,st 7dlet-Gala dress-Whse satin. trimmed with
gold fringe and trimmings; sleeves trimmed with lace,
blue silk cloak, lined with yellow MORE and cold leaves;
powdered wig with white and blue feathers owers OF
precious stone, diamond necklace, earrings, brooch and
bracelet; white satin shoes, with gold trimmings
Sec0nd-Elcgant morning dress OF red six; white
satin under robe, trimmed with rules. tuo nccker-
chief with lace; red velvet cap with white feathers.
torsade tue; pearl necklace and earrings red shoes,
trimmed with gold.
Tnird-very elegant country silk dress, with white
aud blue stripes all trimmed with lace; lace neckcr.
chief; hat trimmed with blue ribbons and feath-
efs: diamond and turquoise jewelry.
Faurth-Chambcr dress, composed OF silk under robe
white and Havana striped, with pensec embroidered
Marie Antonc,tc: tule neckerchief with lace; largo
Havana belt diamond brooch, with tho ais OF Marie
Ffai-Full mourning drcss Of poult do sole, with
double SKIRT trimmed with lace and jet; black Grape
neckcrchie trimmed with lace; jet necklace earrings
and brooch. Couture, with jet and black lace
Siuh-very plain black woolen dress. with white
muslin fanchon Of style: black velvet head dress
Sercnth-Whte linen dress; white muslin nccker
with the enthusiastic demonstration OF q large audi
pronouncng vocferousy tho verdict that this nc
performance great popular success tho critic should
venture the lghtcst syllable OF depreciation with
dldencc and yet il must be said that The play will
STAND muCn ~ Is ccciuoutt 700 iouS tho
theatrical habits OF this city. High respect for the
a1thor has doubtless induced Madame Ristori to give
every word OF tho play written; but thcre
escaping the fact that II tho play s to have lasting
success II must DO shorter
To.ngh, Marie Antoinctte will bc given in Brooklyn
with the same splendor and doubtless with the same
success that crowned last nights performance.
Theatre Comique.
Messrs. Sharplcy, White Cotton are reaping the
Deneat OF good management and constant varieties at
the Thieare comque Last night there three stars
in buresque called Rumtifooz'e, the which was
brough, out last tho New York theatre Miss
Fanny Young, Miss Fanny Vivian and Harry Pearson
In II and illustrate tho SAD history OF the
OF Lady Nancy Bell and Lord Lowell The Bedouin
Arabs minstrel scenes, &c. made up the rest OF tho
programme, which was OF an unusually attractive char
acter Tor q variety theatre.
New York Circus.