The New York herald., 1870-06-15
TIE ENGLISH STAGE.
Charles Reade's New Play-Trades Union,
ism In Character-French Comedy-A
Foreign Triumph-Comedlans and
Tragedians as They Grow
CM-R,yalty, Home and In
Exile, In the Boxes-0pera
and Schneider Diamonds
and EMcralds,
LONDON, June = 1870.

4 LONDON, June \ 1870
Mr.. Charles Reade's new play, bearing the al.
monitory title Of "Put Yourself in His Place." has
been brought ont at the Adelphi with as much sue.
cess as the piece deserves. which, 10 be candid, is
very little. Some years have now elapsed since Q
play BY the same author, called 'Never Too Late to
Mcnd" was brought out at the Princess. 1t was q
sorry drama but It created some fun for there
royal row In the galleries., much courtly indigna-
ton in the boxes and no little excitement among the
critics. scattered like ''ratsbane up and down the
pit" or rather the stalls. There was Kissing and
greanmg and much dIsapproval OF al
sorts, followed by shouts for Mr.. vining
the manager, who was given to understand by
some of the more turbulent spirits that he sought to
be ashamed OF himself for insulting the public with
such rubbish" The play was certainly of q very
dismal character, abounding as IL did In wretched
revelations OF prison life and crowded as 1t was with
feons for dramatic personageA. Nevertheless 1t was
good fun to witness the shindy, but nothing Of the
kind occurred on Saturday evening TO relieve the
ponderous mon0tony OF the occasion. A drama
founded upon novel Is, generally speaking, Me-
less tedious affair; and naturally so, because both
works belong to totally distinct departments OF liter.
ary art. The very qualities which mako the pro-
ducton attractive destroy the interest Of the other
minute elaborations Of character and frequent
dlgressions In the dialogue being, when cleverly
treated, delightful In novel; but utterly inconsist-
ent with that swift and varied action OF the plot
which s all essential TO the success VI play. When
signed to be saixihs hays to Se coabresssd within
"the two hours traffic Of the stage" the dfamatist
cannot AFFORD to spend much time either upon his
portraus OF his text II he attempts to do SO he
slmply throws into his play Certain quantity OF
pi(,-iron, which, do what he win, won't float. Mr..
Charles Reade appears TO be wholly unconscious Of
this fact, HIS novels are well enough, but his
dramas are for nothing more remarkable than for
their want Of dramatic spirit. Moreover, the suh-
ject OF the present play IS most rephsive. 1t treats
OF trade unlonism, with all It's ccncomtant horrors,
as developed in rank luxuriance at Shelre.d and
other seats OF manulac, ,ure. 1t Is bad enough read
about the "ratting system" IN the newspapers, bgJ
10 look at 1t IN mimic representation upon the stage Is
still more horrible. What can there be to gladden. the
eye or regae the fancy In the spectacle Of deserted
f0igea, blown up workshops and the dismal hauntS
OF cut.throaG conspirators2 TO produce entertain
ment from such materials were task as hopeless as
to create sunDeams out OF cucumbers. The OAly
iunny thing about the play Is the name. TO appre-
Gate the Joke lurking therein you must bear in mind
hat the hero oil the story IL young mechanic, whO
having given offence 10 The trade unionsts Is hunted
DOWN lke wolf, and goes about with mis- life III his
hand, as the saying Is. This Is the happy individual
In whose place you are politely requested to put
yourself. thousand thanks; but we had rather
not. In one mechanical particular realism has been
carried in this 0rowsy play to ludcrous perfection.
called "Mol!eres Mast srplece.n He has MOI as yet
annoucned on what night 1t viii be produced but lt
IlOC LBSLdik w Ie when IL Wll DC pro-
duccd, Tor have a presentlment that by marvel
lous coincidence i shall have 70 be at Brighton on
the very night that tho piece will be brought out.
Strange how things "ia Out''-and men too Tor the
matter or that.
The French comedians have been carrying all be-
fore them at the Princess theatre, playing nightly 10
houses most brilliantly and nurnerousy attended.
AL the rank, fashion and beauty OF the metropolis
have locked to oxford street where entertainment
have hads Plessy, Brohan lie Blanc, Lafont,
Regnier, and other celebrities In some
result has been delightful. Never was seen in a
playhouse o more remarkable spectacle than
DC sSans
| entitled ia J0ie Fat Peur"-ladies overwhelmed
| with emotion and bearded men crying like rain
"What's Hecuba to them or theyto Hecuba that theJ
| should weep for her2n But they did, and tnat pro
| fusely. Alter the shower came the sunshine, and
| then you might hear volleys OF laughter peallng
through the house. such is the wichery OF histr
| onic genius. The play is work OF the simplest
structure and its success is both regards author
aud actors, the pure triumph OF intellect There are
no plctoriai displays no breakneck adventures, no
tricks OF sensat. t.onalism to AWAKEN the enthu lasn
OF the audience. In the happy delineaton Of human
character and the skilful pOrtrature OF human pas
sion dwels the whole charm OF the story-a Story
which merely depicts the rapture produced In an
alicted household by the sudden and unlocked for
return of only son. who had been supposed 10 have
lost his life in remote ana baroarons atudes. Take
him "ior all and ALL" as Hamlet took his father,
should think That NJ Regnler Is the greatest actor
alive. He Is d consuInmate master ID his art. lis
performance Of Joei a devoted Old servant, Is be.
yond description fine. Tie loyal devotion Of this
gcOd old soul, his gallant assumption OF gayety While
his heart is breaking his ingenious and generous at
tempts TO Impose upon the ladies OF the household
with words OF comfort which he knew to be artiH-
cia and with smiles put on just to cover his tears
his amazement, which seems IKE to XIII hin, when
he discovers that MS young master Is alive and well
his outbdrst OF dellrious JOY. his amusing assur.
ances that he had prescntlnent from the first that
the lost would be found his disregard OF his per-
sonal interest and his ab20.ute devotion TO the we.-
fare Of the family In whose service he has spent his
he-tilese ana all other traits and o. tributes of this
admirably drawn character uSp.Cteu BV Ill. iteV-
nier with great aE1ll.
In NJ. Scrlbo's well known comedy "Une Chainen
NJ Re9ner plays in this year or grace 1870 the CHAR
acter OF baandard, o. which he was the original re.
preventative at the Theatre Francais th!ry years
ago. His talents are Amaranthinc and seem none
the worse for lapse OF time ana the wear and tear Of
life. Indeed 1t ls worthy vi remark that comedians
improve as they grow oder. Charles Mathews,
ialont and Re snier are notable examples OF the
fact; whereas rag dians deteroratc. SO true Is 1t
that even in the nasebeLeye representations o. the
stage le chag11a Jdt mourn les homD,eS, whereas
tne very semb.ance OF Joy gives brightness ana
nation and tends to prolong life.
Last night, on occasion OF MIG. BrOhan's benefit,
dr. Alfred Wigan, who Is celebrated On the London
boards for his clever assumption OF French charac-
lers, performed De Lancenay in the amusing after
and refinement, and speaking French with remark.
ably pure accent. He was little nervous at Il Bt,
but rega4ed his selfpossession; but he dressed
badly, wore ana Vie wig, errors WHICH no genuine
Frenchman would commit.
Tnere was brilliant ana overlowing house,
and among the audience were the Prince anu
princess OF Wales, the Prince and Princess of Teck
ana ysrious members Of the eiled royal family Oi
France
The comedy season terminates tonight anu Oh
Monday opera b0atGe viii lie the order or the day,
Or ra her of the night, Mile. Schneider leading Oh
with "La Grandc Duclesse."
a. the Olympic Miss Bateman is drawing good
houses in The character OF Mary Warner, In Mr Tom
Tag ors play OF the same name. The piece is rather
ugubllous in interest, and the story violates prOba.
bihty in representing husband and vile, both OF
spoes character as eacn beng ready 10 beheye that
tie other hasfcom allied q felony; but the oh e
character affords scope ior good acting AMI displays
to excellent effect MISS Baeman'5 skill In the cX-
preston OF pathehc emotion. She plays with ad
mirable ability and wins great app ause from her
audience, who seem the better pleased with her the
me she makes them cry
Tue American version Of 'Flou Frou,' by the
author ot Leah,n Is by lar the best adaptation That
has yet appeared upon ths London stage, bat il
does not prove very attractive at ST. James theatre.
The reason Is that except in the character OF Brgald
admirably played by Mr.. w. Farren, the acting Is