The New York herald., 1868-06-12
A NJ U s E M e N rs.

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THEATRE FRANCAIs.-The opera bou6e, 'Orphee
aux Enters" rather an extravaganza land remote
one at that than a burlesque comic opera still
continues maugre adverse criticism, to attract full
houses-a success principally attributable TO excel
lent acting on the part of several of the company
for In point OF fact the thread of the opera and the
general ensemble ofthe tabeaux and costumes are TOO
remote ana NEUROLOGICAL to be interpreted as effect
i've comic hits The cast has previously been ad-
verted to, as have the general surroundings, and
need not be enumerated. 1t remains to remark
that Mile. Lambele as Eurydice has been ex-
ceeded In acting by no representative OF
graceful almost to a fault and endowed with a GER
tain ueroe and spirit. which are rare qualities, 1t
cannot De denied that her voice, though lacking
power, Is very sweet and flexible well as clear and
cultivated Nor can 1t be denied that in the part OF
Eurydice little power is needed, clear, flexible
role. M. Edgard as Jupiter is indescribably droll
and eectve In the scene in which he personates the
fly, while Mile Lambele is equally droll and effective
in the same scene, which is really the gem OF the
whole performance For the rest, M. Goujou, as
Pluto, is an excellent actor while NJ. Deere, as Or
pheus exhibits TO advantage very sweet tenor voice,
OF peculiar quality in one or two respects though
not OF remarkable compass and power; exhibiting
also very fair mastery OF the capabilities OF the
violin. There are certainly fewer popular airs In
this opera than in either of the two which have pre-
ceded and fewer popular elements as well; though
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is singuarly adapted to the spirit OF the piece, not
only IN the ny scene, which is the hit OF the whole
opera but everywhere else well. The conclu-
sion or the second tableau Is also remarkably
efrective-though the same cannot be said Of the
conclusion of the fourth which is too cancansh for
any except Partisan public-and presents Eurydice
very elegantly mounted on pedestal which
is furnished by the back OF the kneeling Jupiter.
On the whoe, the company Is good ana has
several excellent actors; nor can any reason be as
signed why Lambele should be written down as the
inferior OF Iostee In comic fmpersonaton, though
there are many reasons why "Orphee aux Enters"
should be written down as the very worst and most
mediocre OF all the productions Of the modern Puck
Of music In brief, the partial failure of Lambele,
Goujou and Edgard-three excellent artists-is
rather the fault of the opera than Of the actors, who
have effected great deal in connection with piece
in which complete triumph impossible. The
bizarrerie of "Orphee aux Enfersn excessive and
remote IN every respect might fascinate Parisian
public, but can never be popular with an American
audience.
BROADWAY THEATRE.-On wednesday evening last
ga Flash of Lightning" another sensation drama
in five acts and ten tableaux by Mr. Augustin Daily,
produced for the first time in this city, at the
above popular establishment. The play possesses a
lively, sparkling dialogue, some good situations
very slight plot and is withal purer in style and
smoother in construction than any Of the previous
productions that have emanated from the prolific
pen Of this author. The story OF the piece could
perhaps have been better and more inteligbly told
II there had been less reliance placed in the scenes
of the stage carpenter; but taken as whole
the play has proved itself decided success,
bears evidences ofOriginaty and is unquestionably-
at least in literary point Of view-the master pro.
duction Of Its author. The second, third and fourth
acts will bear considerable pruning, and these might
be cut down to the proportions Of at least two
acts without at all interfering with the plot mar
ring the beauties Of the piece As playwright Mr..
DAILY is apparently AFFLICTED with q penchant for
ceves his quietus from streak of 'Hghtning;" his
characters In "Under the Gaslight" indulge in
Jersey lightning" and the eight" of railroad
Hector, and now he caps the climax by calling long,
wearis0me 1ve act drama by the misnomer of "A
Flash Of Lightning" Certainly this ought to be
enought 10 satisfy any ordinary man; but there no
telling where genius will stop.
The plot OF the drama is even weaker than is
usual in sensational plays and appears the veriest
The prominent figure in the cast is Garry falon,
a wealthy old pebeian, residing in wretched quar-
ters in Greenwich street. OF his two daughters,
latter Is systematically itreated. Rose is sent to
city seminary, cultivates an acquaintance with the
"nrst clrcles' and frts with millionaire beau
(Fred Chauncey) much to the delight OF the old gen
tleman, who, while she Is absent q shopping tour
purchases for her costly gold necklace and places
A violent thunderstorm occurs, in the height Of
which Jack Ryver old lover of Bessie, lately
the capacity OF railroad engineer renews his suit and
Ia rejected He hastens UP stairs to the attic, just
escaping detection by the lady's father, with whom
he Is no favOrte, and finally is supposed to have
made his exit through the window. Rose, the IA
vorite daughter, s escorted home through the storm
father hastens to her room to find and deliver
to her the gift which had at first been in
tend tended as , ,o surprise: He % returns ann,s with @
been stolen. Bessie having been alone in the
room suspicion falls on her. She in turn suspects
him The act concludes with an efective tablea i
consequent on the infurated iather turning his
daughter out into the storm. Three acts utterly ir
relevant to the story follow, In the course OF which
the audience Is treated to steamboat race on the
Hudson, panorama scene IN the saloon,
s IT, ans ns SW CRIB or
in the city, with Savoyard songs, jig dances
and fight, all OF which smacks Of the Bowery In old
times In the fifth act the dramatic story Is re-
sumed, Bessie returns to her fathers house and is
kept prisoner, while the detectives, led by Skiiey,
wSr the ropery was Jaek RyyeT Wso
opportunely turns up, explains that the mysterious
disappearance Of the necklace was occasioned by "a
posted 1t In particles among the Goals In the coal
scutle. This exonerates Bessie, who in her despair
had attempted suicide. She is embraced by RIVER,
descends on the usual picture OF domestic happiness
The piece is well mounted and abounds In purely
being OF the most effective in the whole play.
The actors last evening were well up IN their parts
AZ J Jack RyaI did exceilently well and was as pno
sophica ever; Jack was just little too agile for
the old plebeian but was nevertheless good. Mr.. Will
amson as the steamboat clerk, received fair share
OF applause MISS Kitty Blanchard as the high
minded Rose, and Miss Blanche Grey sustained the
leading female characters and were repeatedly ap-
pauded IN their several parts. What with the local
hits and the local scenery and the good acting "a
Flash Of Lightning' at the Broadway is pretty cer-
tain to hold Its own for the summer ct least.
PARK THEATRE, BROoKLYN-Att this elegant little
theatre Mr.. and Mrs. II. watkins the rage OF the
hour. On Wednesday the "Ploneer Patriot" was per-
formed, the above named sustaining the principal
characters. The house was not well filled. Why we
know not. There was certainly plenty of blood and
not little murder. Mr.. and Mrs Watkins played
their parts tolerably well. It seemed to US, how
ever that the 'Pioneer Patriot" was not only not
adapted for Brooklyn, but not adapted for the Park
theatre. IL Is possible TO have too much blood and
murder, and whether the Park theatre is not just
now panderjng little too much to avitated taste is
question which we respectfully submit TO Mrs. Con-
ways consideration. The afterpiece, "The Young
widow" was well performed and seemed to crafty
the audience. The performers, one and all, played
their parts well.
KELLY & LEoN's MINsTRELs.-The great event Of