The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-21
THE DRAMA In ENGLAND.
FROM our LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

fhUm uUR lUNUOH CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, June 6, 1858.
me morning performance at the Haymarket thea
tire for the benefit OF the Royal Dramatic College, and
under the patronage of the Prince and Princess of
wales, came Off yesterday with great eclat and will
assume very prominent place in the histrionc
annals Of London. The entertainment was given at
the express desire and request Of the Prince who,
happening to meet Mr.. SOthern at hunt said to
him, suppose that it would be impossible to have
comedy performed in London in which every part
should be filed by first class actors" Mr. Sothern
replied that he had doubt that the idea could be
realized If the Prince desired it. 81 should like It
very much indeed" answered the Prince land il you
will undertake to get up such performance in
any way you please, both the Princess and myself
will be present." MI. Sothern then consulted with
Managers Webster and Blackstone, and this trio
selected the programme, apportioned the parts and
decided that the proceeds should be given to the
Dramatic College. The following is the cast of the
two pieces selected
"LoNDON AssURANcE."- Harcourt Courtley, Mr..
Benjamin Webster; Max Harkaway, Mr. E. p Add
son; Charles Courtley, Mr.: Sothern; Dazzle, Mr.
Cool, Mr.. ii. Irving; Dolly Spanker, Mr.. Blackstone;
Solomon Isaacs, Mr. G. Vincent; Martin, Mr.. john
Gay spanker, Mrs. Charles Matthews; Grace Hark-
away, Miss Nelly Moore; Pert ION this special occa-
sion) Mrs. Kelley
Chippendale; Alfred Highfyer; Mr.. Walter Lacy;
SelbOurne, Mr.. H. Neville; Fixture Mr. G. Belmore;
Gamekeeper, Mr.. Neathersby; Maria, Mrs. John
Wood; Mrs. SelbOurne Miss Louisa Moore; Mrs. Fix
ture, Miss E. Farren.
The performances commenced ct half-past one, at
which hour the theatre was completely crowded by
one of the most brilliant audiences ever assembled,
comprising not only many nobemen and ladies Of
rank, but the elite Of the theatrical profession in
England. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the
Crown Prince OF Denmark entered the royal box Just
before the end OF the first act, and were received
with hearty cheers, the whole audience rising and
prices Of all the seats had been doubled, and
the receipts netted over f400. Mr. SOthern
personally directed the performance, and Mr. Dion
dy To show the interest taken in the affair by the
actors may mention that Mr.. Toote studied the part
| never played it before, and that Mr.. Ben
| webster was at similar trouble in regard
to the part Of Sir Harcourt. The events OF the day.
however, the temperance of Mrs. Kelley after
her long retirement from the stage and the appear
ance of Mrs. John Wood, who is regarded here as an
American actress, and was thus doubly cOmp-
mented by being invited to assist at such perform.
ance. Mrs Kelley was enthusiastically received and
ses e and he the EnsS
authority says OF Mrs. wood that she "played the
some and sang with excellent taste.n SO the New
York stage holds its own with the best London
artists
AS you have often had "star" performances of
"LondOn Assurance in New YORK, and notably for
John Broughams benefit at Nblo's and at a morning
performance at the Academy Of Music, it will interest
the public to read few comments upon the acting
yesterday. Mr.. webster was not perfect in the part
There was no comparison between him and such
American representatives OF the character as Mr..
Max 'e M
hearty robust and excelent-just In the style OF
Mark Smiths Old English Gentleman. Mr.. Sothern's
Charles C0urtley was capital. have always be-
part SO well as Mr.. Lester waliack;. but
character and most OF Mr.. walacks business, and
the result was complete and deserved success.
ecy until the fourth act and then fell on through
fatigue. Mr. Dion Boucicault who personated
Dazzle IN New York, Is still without rival in this
so good as Burtons but quite as good as anybody's
since Burton. Mr. Irvings Cool was mediocre; Mr..
stones Dolly spanker was only passabie. Among
the ladies, Mrs. Charles Matthews very bad, and
Moore was pretty but too weak for the mart Of race
| IN which Miss Agnes Robertson and the late Mary
cannon Gan d as easily eclipse her as Mrs Wood and
Keeey as Pert, carried on all the honOrs.
dered but the piece Is weak and essn se
are unnecessary. The Mr.. Neville who appeared in
| 1t Ia the famous original of the ''Ticket-of-Leave
MAN. the Mr.. Bemore is the original Nat Gosing in
frying Scud." On the whole, I consider that the
e, % can do IN the way Of such star per-
can do again on any special occasion.
MISS Kate Reynolds ends her brief engagement az
the Princess tonight and next week 1.-THE Corsican
Brothers" and "The Streets of London" will be
vved together. Mr.. j. - Clarke IL at Liverpool,
playing away in "Everyb0dy's Friend.n Mr.. John
Seton has been appointed the American agent for
the plays OF Bouccault, Reade and Robertson. A
new drama, by Watts Phillips, called ''The Forgersn
II In rehearsal AT the Queens and Mr.. Byron's
drama, "The Lancashire Lass" will be produced in
August Mr. wigan has retired from the ostensible
management OF the Queens, and Mr.. Liston, for
merry OF Astley's, has taken his place. The
real manager, however, is Mr.. Labouchere
the member of Parliament who distinguished
himself last summer In quarrel about an American
lady at Baden Baden. Mr.. TOole Is engaged at the
Queens until Christmas and then intends visiting
New York. He is the favorite London comedian,
aud IL OF the quiet Jefferson school Of actors Mr..
II. Byron who recently became bankrupt at Liver
pool will he the manager OF Seton Parry's new
theatre on the strand. Another member OF Para.
meni, Mr.. Millbank, Is the real manager or the -.
James theatre Why do not members of Congress
I'm the United states 20 into theatrical management
The two professions are easily allied. remember
that Mr.. Labouchefe secured n good advertisement
for "Over rwistn at the Queens by getting a DR..
Brady 10 ask In Parliament whether the Lord Cham
berlan had refused to license the piece This dodge
could he worked indefinitely. Mr. SOthern and Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Matthews viii leave town for
provincial tours. Foul Play Is a decided success
at the Holborn theatre. Heller has made hit at
Photographic Hail. "No Thoroughbred Is on s last
legs at the Adelph, Mr.. Fechter having definitely
Withdrawn from II.
The piece Is great success at Paris.
A VIRGINIA TRAGEDY-Last Wednesday morning