New-York tribune., 1867-10-04
THE DRAMA.
OPENING NIGHT AT BANyARD'S.
IL. n-~.... Ir.,,ea L.H an o.pua III


Banyards Opera House had "a sensation last
night IL was full. So large audience assem-
bed witness the first representation OF The Devils
Auction" has mover before been gathered within i,s
walls. Most OF the spectators were men, Ihs lacts
without its significance. and therefore we mention It,
The balets an institution that appears to commend itself
very readily TO the male mind. In The Devils Auction
the new piece with which Mr.. DE Pol nauguraed his
enterprise the Ballet the chief element very slight
thread Of drama Is indeed drawn through the maze OF
dances but its presence soon forgotten by the spec@
tor. rs look back, and strive 10 trace IT, we find
ourselves in what may be pleasant Rbineland. Noun
tains surround cosy landscape. There is a wedding
afoot lord is about to marry pretty peasant
girl who does not love him, but, strange 10 say.
loves another Pending the fufillment OF the wedding
contract however auction sale OF the property OF
dead wizard takes place at CASTLE All the drainats
persona attend. We also present, and we ara
rjoiced 10 behold another" become the posscssor OF
The most powerful Of talismans. Divers other tails
mans are sold at this "Devirs Auction" and several
individuals become possessed OF magical power
We perceive at once that spirited conflicts are al
hand The future Of the drama shows that cur
conjecture was wcfoupded. Anotherhe Is but apooE
slepherd-insists on having his love- The bad Baron
will not part with his peasant Each lover has his tails
man. and their contention is the substance OF the play.
1t would be waste Of time to describe their conflict and
the haps and mishaps that raspire, before oil Is made
right with lovers and the curtain falls upon tabeau
bliss Suffice II to say that the incidents are numerous
and pleasing. and that all ends well. The story.
though very slight. is certainly, neat and pretty Tho
construction is fairly good As to the dalogue-t is ut
terly barren and commonplace few attempts at Wit
occur in it, such as the silly alusions to
imOny and to stupid books that are made by JdeS
the Donkey who becomes man. But these are only
attempts and Mr. Arthur Cuyer Armengol to whom the
authorship of the piece is ascribed may safely he as
funny as No buttons will be burst of IN laugh
inO bia thOugh. cXpcct ballet
pay to contain positive merits of literary character.
enough prctexts found for the frequent intro
ducon Of the dancers such precXts copously made
in The Devils Auction" There is danse chanpetre
IN the first scene, and syren dance closes the first
act \ grand procession OF lovely beings-tand, some
how they all seem lovely in their fantastic trappings,
under the glare OF the gmarches In the second act
aud most bewildering dance closes the act little
further on and in the abode of Bacchus where
that the rosy god svery fond OF dancing gr
enchant himself with very beautiful spec
mems the tribe AS said before, one soon forgets the
thread OF the drama. as he gazes these
bewitehimg sylphs Before We quite leave 1t.
though, let express our obviously we'll
grounded regret that somebody will not write really
excellent baetpay. Ballet we must have. That ap-
pears be settled. Let then, have thoroughly good
writing along thoroughly good dancing The latter
was abundance last night. The new Ballet made
a great success. Every dance applauded. That
which closed the second act peret triumph DIAM,
mopt positive hit Nile Biasin bore on crown Of roscs
speak in metaphor the literal floral offerings
occasion OF course most numerous But his
dancer is at beautiful and spiritual IN the style OF
her art and ls altogether one OF the most pleasing per-
Of this class that has appeared In this city
Mile lnpo was particularly applauded, last night s1
Mile soeke The promise that was made In respect
10 these dancers has been amply fulfilled The element
Of nationality will be found, by those who are critical in
such be very thoroughly illustrated in their
supplied with that essential charm and some OF tem
it is but lust TO state, do not vail their graces IN
mystery There l. need. though. 10 eApatIate
that subject Just now The public is being tested in this
matter Of ballet to ascertain how much ITS taste will
copt; and conviction Is that IL will accept good
deal The poetry OF notion" everybody knows, Is
charming 50 purifying so cnnobng 80 beneficial 10 the
stage and 10 the and intellectual condition of the
young! II has been studied for some tinc with tho
most gratifying results at Niblos Garden. IL may
fecon at Banyard's Museum. We might I'LL several
columns in the minute description Of the conqucring
beauties of this ballet But the town will take
to for Itself iorbcar the supefuous labor For tho
same may pass the somewhat tame acting
Scnted That however will doubtless mend, the piece
runs on Mr. Robert Mcwade was the theatrical novelty
of the evening lie Is said to be clever dencHtor OF
Irish character In appearance and tO extent In style
he resembles Mr.. John owens lie was nearly swampcd
last night 10y as bad a comic song rs ever WAS heard
several touches of characterization and Of mirh, how
ovcr evmced conscientious and clever young actor
Mr. Phillips aud Mr. N. c. DAILY did what they could with
poor parts The serenity of the occasion only married
hy attempt, made early In the evening, to create
at one time Audiences at theaters cannot too
deeply appreciate the Importance oi cOolhcSS ana
stiffness. when attempt j. made at uptoar
Real danger eyen is vanqushed at once In the presence
of courage under such circumstances. song composed
under the bcwicing impression OF this speelaee-was
heartily applauded. Changes have been made IN ITO
SnT S" Should & gSO1 Ss oS MSrs somSo S The Orchestra
coud easily be made more comfortable. Mr. De Pol
enterprise has made Much credit Is likewise due To
signor Tamaro 10 the balletmaser sgnor Ronzan and
To Mr.. Charles Lawrence. for the success when las
attended the opening night AT Banvard's Opera House.
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