Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-05

establishment on Tuesday evening, pre-
senting TO us nearly all our old iayorltes,
and Offering for our edihcation a new
comedy called Fast Family translated
from the French La Fdmilie Benoffon,
without any attempt to cancel its pater-
nifty II was so new thing 70 discover
play that gave us wit instead OF slang,
Characterization instead Of buiioonry,
interest supplied by the dramatic action
and the story instead OF the scene
painter that find it difficult to
repress little enthusiasm IN
speaking Of il. A more enjoyable
dramatic banquet il has net been my lot
TO experience in a long time, and / lind
one effect has been 10 intensity my dis
like Of the show pieces and the sensation
connections which the manager has for
so long q time inflicted us with. The
play in question neither oyersteps the
modesty Of nature, nor comes tamely OFT
II hits the follies Of the times, as .twere,
between wind aud water, neatly, aceu-
ratey, without earicature (more than be
considered permissible on the stage),
and without bitterness. The plot is put
together in that def and dexterous
manner for which the French dramatlst
is so famous, the action turning upon the
adventures ola Partisan family, and upon
an unhappy misunderstanding that has
arisen between the husband and wife,
brought about by the fast notions and
extravagances of the lady. 1t is in its
entirety a family picture. The charac-
tiers are pater familias, his married
daughter and husband, his would.liketo-
be married fast daughters, his fast boys,
a wealthy potterer, and his calculating
son, brought up under the cardinal rule
ofwords, that business is business, and
who applies the principle so impartially
TO his father that the old gentleman finds
himself badly done" a poor relation,
friend Of the family, and, lastly, the
mother of the family, who, continually
sought for and desired, is throughout the
entire play, gone out, in true fast style,
and never makes her appearance at all.
This lady continually being " out, be-
comes one of the relishing points of the
play. The dramatic incidents Of the
story serve to cure the family of some OF
their fast ideas-the wife nearly losing
her husband by her imprudence, the
young ladies getting mistaken for the
demi monde at race, and some other
experience of the sort, combined to
effect change in their habits. In bret,
the play is bright, sparkling, witty it
has its strong dramatic undertones; its
situations and complications are artist
ically managed, and the acting IS
worthy of the play. If Mr.. Wallack
would continue to give US plays Of this
character, and eschew the sham sensa-
tional drama altogether, his establish
ment would become a green and CRATE
full oasis, indeed in the great dramatic
desert.
From the st. Louis Republican,
The Fast Family, the new comedy
produced for the first time in this city,
was a most decided and triumphant sue.
cess. The piece abounds in beautiful
language, racy wit and amusing situa :,
tions, which accounts for its extended
and profitable run at Wallack
Theatre, New York. "Clotilde," i'm
personated by Miss Blanche De-
Bar, was superb, Her lady-like deport.
ment and elegant appearance was well
suited to the part, and elected rapturous
applause. Her costume was elegant and
in good taste, as is invariably the case
with this refined young lady. Ben De
Bar DeVere, Vanderin, Barr and Krone
were all good in their several roles.