The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-01
THE ENGLISH STAGE.
Theatrical News and Gossip.

1hE ENGLlSd SIAGC.
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Theatrical News and Gossip.
LONDON. August TO- 1862
The London season is over; Parliament is about TO
| be prOrogued; the metropolis is deserted by the
fashionables and the theatres have fallen into the
sere and yellow OF summer. Many of the places Of
amusement are closed, and, with the exception Of
the Prince OF Wales and Drury Lane, the rest might
almost well closed for all the benefits they con-
fer either upon the public the managers. Still
few interesting items OF news and gossip may be
picked up by your correspondent he strols before
and behind the curtains.
Let us commence with marriage. On Sat-
urday last Mr.. w. H. Kendall the light come.
dian of the Haymarket theatre, was united
In the holy bonds OF wedlock to Miss Madge
Robertson. the sister OF Mr.. T. W. Robertson,
the dramatlst The affair would seem to have
been rather premature; for the wedding took
place at Manchester where the Haymarket com.
pany are now starring, and no time was afforded
the happy pair for the soft endearments of the
honeymoon. They were married on Saturday morn.
ing; they played together as ROsalind and Orlando
In the evening, and they were announced In another
old comedy for Monday. This combination OF busi-
and pleasure is quite characteristic of this fast
age
As I predicted, Boucicaults new drama. called
"Formosa," has been success at Drury Lane Bets
OF ten to one are made however, that 1t will not run
until December have already sent you the plot of
the drama in advance OF its production. The last
scene. realizing the Oxford and Cambridge boat
race, Is very badly managed here. Instead OF real
boats manned by men to give effect to the scene
like the real horse in "Flying Scudn we have paste.
board boats and pastehoard crews, very badly
worked and not at all impressive. Doubtless this
scene will be better done in New York. The papers
| ridicule the absurditles OF the drama but What
drama seriously considered, is not absurdS Bouci.
cault can afford to laugh at those people who write
training and its rules These letters only advertise
| the play. AS for the allegations made in some
quarters that one scene or the play is very immoral
these, of course, only assure It's success. There Is
nothing that the public likes so much as dramatic
In striking contrast to "Formosa" is the other
theatrical success Of the present dull season. viz
SCHOOL" at the Prince OF Wales Those who have
not this comedy at this theatre have missed the
perfection OF English acting.
We have in America no such actress as Miss
Marie Wilton since poor Mary Cannon is dead, and
such actors in their several lines as Messrs Ban.
croft, Montague and Hare entirely unrvalled In
| the United states II England were to send over
such artists as these instead Of buresaue dancers
with voices OF vocal velvet" Americans would
| form much more just judgment OF her dramatic
The revival of Handel's "Acls and Galatean at the
Princess theatre, cannot possibly be regarded as
| be success Manager vlntng has placed 1t upon
the stage with that magnificent scenery for which
the Princess Is famous. The opening scene-the
| moonit sea beating upon the beach-is almost I'M
| surpassable. Lloyds and Tclbn, both excellent
| painters, have mad the advantage OF Stansled's
| original sketches, In composing the scenes. The
| opera s also well sung. MISS Blanche Cole, Herr
| Formes. Vernon Rigby and Montem Smith-the two
| can be done with the music and the choruses and
ballet are very fine. But in spite OF splendid scenery
and good singing "Acis and Gaatea Is dull very dull
| The music Is antiquated out OF date, old fashioned
TO modern ears. 10 hear 1t Is like listening to an Old
harpschord after grand piano: Pleasing as it may
| ttude. Better one tune from the "Grand Duchessr
| than the whole OF "Acls and Galatea,n cry the
| crowd The crowd may be wrong; but If they are
not pleased they keep their money out Of the mana
gers pockets. 80 let no American manager venture
| TO burn his fingers, as Mr.. Yming has done, with
| "Acs and Galatear
very strange bit OF gossip Is floating about the
| coWtsSes. You may remember that, about two
the railroad track, on the Midland line near
| Hendon, which Is not many miles from London.
When hrst discovered 0 this woman was insensble
| came in that situation In this comatose state she
has remained ever since, with brief intervals OF
| semi-consciousness. Upon beng taken to the hos
| pita and examined by the surgeons it was dis.
covered that she had been fouly Violated and that
| the person who had committed the crime had pro-
| badly thrown her out Of the carriage IN the hope
| that she would be killed by the fall These facts
have been published in the newspapers, which
furnish US, every few days, with some accounts
OK the girls condition and her slow progress
towards recovery. Now comes the singular part
OF TINS strange story IL Is said that in her rawlings
ior she Is not yet able TO speak connectedythe glrl
mentions only one name, and that Is the name OF
gentleman closely Identified with the London thea
tres. II is also stated that Immediately upon the
TACT becoming known, gentleman closely identified
with tue London theatres found necessary to leave
suddeny ior France, without stopping to bid adieu
70 MS friends Put this and that together and you
nave very pretty scandal. OF course names-or
| rather nane-may be prominently mentioned, but
Wouia not De fair TO put 1t In print Doubtless the
glrl WIZ be able TO speak In fortnight and then the
| mystery Will be cleared up
i told you some time ago that the summer season
as Tue hayinarket theatre was failure. II was so
great failure that the manager closed the doors
| ana reused to pay salaries. Mr.. Sol smith was the
only American actor who suffered by this conde
ten,ps. ~ seems quite useless 10 keep on telling
Ameiieah actors that they had better stay al home
Inc chances are one hundred 70 one against any OF
| them securing engagements IN the regular London
| COMPANIES, and they join these summer uoupes,
as tne most OF them do they only lose their money
aud attract no attention whatever from the public,
sne ciiacs OF the regular managers. Some Ameri.
can ac'o,s IKE Mr.. J.. 5. Clarke have money
| appearance, put even that does not pay One-quar.
| yer Vi Tue Investment would have produced double
tne iaine anu proht at home. without a regular
| gaRefnent signed and sealed with q frat class Lon.
| d0n manager no American actor ought TO come here
10 perloim. 10 depend upon securing an engage
ment aitel ne arrives here ID to lean upon the weak.
est OF broken reeds. An American reputation Is not
] worm penny In the English market ON the con.
trary, IL Is decided disadvantage. In time these
thlhgs may change and American theatrical taief'
may De as cordially welcomed In England as English
talent mas been and Is welcomed In america. When
| tnat comes shall be happy TO be the nrst TO
nounce II through the HERALD. At present the racts
| away.
Mr.. A. w. Young OF wallack,s. has arrived in towr
10 JOIN mrs Jonn Woods company AZ the 81. James
theatre in October. Mrs. General Lander is sti In
town negotiating for an appearance at the Princess
theatre, MIS-. .. ii: Alien ls stopping at the Lang
ham Hotel: Hotel, Mr.. Marx Smith IS on his way bach
| from germany. Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Matthews
| have gone 10 Germany tor the summer Miss Patt,
| Oliver TOOK her annual benefit at the new Royalty