The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-17

WALLACK's THEArRB-THH BLUE BEARD BUR-
LEsQUB-The very mention of the name Of Blue Beard
to the western or Caucasian races serves to awaken
and excite their imagination. There are two books
which have mastered the intellect Of childhood
during the past three generations since books have
became plentiful. These two books are"The Arabian
Nights" and Robinson Qrysoe" All men are y. .,,,t
children grow" up, anu the power Of the spell Of
that mos: fascinating OF BOOKS the ARABIAN
Nights" still hangs over civilized mankind like
deep veil which Is often lifted. but when replaced
makes life as seen through the slevelike perfora-
tions to resemble dream or picture seen from
afar on mountain top.
The story Of Blue Beard and his six wives was
known long before the Mormons became blessed
with tho Inheritance Of Salt Lake; before Joe Smith
was Graded or pistoled to death by Missouri bor-
der humans; and when Henry the Eighth
took Oatharine of Arragon to his royal
bed 1t is just possible that the dim tradition
of Blue Beard evolved from the mysterious and
shadOwy East as 1t was told for ages previously
In Merry England by Saracen story tellcrs may have
suggested to the kingy proiigate sudden and cer-
tain way for the taking or OF all those women who
acted as his temporary wives, to finally follow In
the footsteps Of the frst victim. Anne Boleyn as
far as Tower Hill and the executIoner's axe.
Search as we may we find no positive or credible
perhaps the exception Of the half dozen Of German
and Hungarian Swans who sit In the alooyes OF the
Aston Library, dressed shabDIly and eating their
scanty lunches from greasy newspapers under the
tables IN the intervals between their perusal OF
those musty quart0 tones In the Hebrew text could
be expected to trace the derivation of the tradi-
tionary nursery tale which is told to-day to children
In every household In Europe. Suffice to say, the
modern world collectively and individually, Is con-
versant with the story as fascinating ana lasting
anything told to Sultan Scherzerade In his serago.
Last evening every seat in Waack's Theatre
despite the intense heat-was packed by an audience
Of New Workers whose expectancy rose to a zenith
when the FIRST bars OF the overture to- 'Blue Beardn
reached their ears and the curtain rose and disclosed
fair and handsomely painted picture Of the avn.
lage OF Blshmlllah at SunsetO with the usual num-
Der Of Eastern houris having khOl-staned eyebrows
and henna-lppe finger nails; pages III velvet en-
with silver tissues and their Threats surrounded with
gded yashmacks The picture was so thoroughly
Oriental IN Its aspect that we expected every mo.
threats, "Allah, Akbar God Is great and Man0met
Is his Prophet;' but they did not.
Miss Lydia Thompson, her blonde yellow hair clus.
tering around her well-shaped head, came on the
stage amid clash of brazen instruments, looking
vastly improved by her ocean voyage Oh the return
trip from Europe.
II the American mind Graves burlesqne, and the
evidence that 1t does 1t Is better that 1t should be
gratifed by the perfection OF acting in that
found On this side Of the Atlantic Ia the person.
Of Miss Lydia THOMPSON. who last evening
MISS THOMPSON h the sem the
evening. This roicKing, seductive and daredevil
was sas tue ,ss 81 the hd
successful actress nne face and noble person
and figure face, with hair and eyes that NIL the
roughly than any actress Of to-day Added to these
qualifications and embellishments she has plea.
refreshing. Miss netty Tracy, a very pleasing
and pretty member Of the company, having the
same and md nearly Of me same
as Hassan the page, was received on her entrance
by a perfect rain OF bouquets, hover baskets and
the rea star OF the evening came up to the fooghts
and second shower Of horticulture greeted her
ciapping. Altogether It was q reception which
would have been ample compensation for any
S but ssa Oeeve that the or
never gets seasick. and no one could believe
na possible wSs sa SsT a per I ss' eEs Ss
TO Poll" This dasnlng and yivaclons ballad aIo65
would be sufficient to carry the most wretched bur-
who heard It last evening certainly enjoyed an
original sensation. Two other persons must be cred
ea with dang the Of ns
VINO took upon his shoulders the welghty respon-
sibty Of the character OF Blue Beard, and Mr. John
the reformed Hesten Gnee NJ Beckes
strous makeup was so perfect Id his exaggeration
present in the theatre, AID his really Careful and
excellent acting was fully commensurate with his
e makeup. The Chinese dance and
novel and foreign to our New Yorkers that many
were stupefed at first and did not know whether to
oonvalsed Inc house with sudden enthusiasm and
then all DOUBT was forgotten in the wild clash OF
and the stage seemed to dissolve and fade away.
and people saw Shanghai, FOo-ChOw and Can.
ton, with oonlcal rooted houses, sharp NINA
with large abdominal developments suddenly
appear In the minds eye like the pictures on the
the Irish "O'Shacabac" of the night; and though
MS part was small one, what he did was well
hdeous aan Sros very Wien wdS a
actors 9espatter the Irish accent and character.
the Tn ladies' Of the troupe, particularly Miss Gam
with remarkable freshness; Miss Hetty Tracy, Miss
Tilly Earl, Miss Kate Heathcote, MISS Nellie Cooke
well, looked well and did all they could to
make the piece run smoothly. And MIR. Michael
and careful artist did more than any other person
to add TO the zest OF the evenings enjoyment, the
music being all new ana well selected at very
short notice. One thing more can only be said.
There are more than Two or three celebrities In New
York, II local illusions are TO be made IN bur-
esque, and q change OF names In the illusions
nightly would do no harm.
john JACK.-Ths well known actor and town ia.
vorite takes benefit on Saturday next at the
san Francisco Minstrel Hall. MI. Jack has selected
THE Last Man" and portion or Henry w." as
ne pieces in which he will present himself 10 his
riends on that occasion. In the former he ESSAYS
he part of Geofrrey Dale, in which he Justly claims
o be the only successor OF Mr. Blake; In the second
le Will play Falstaf which he has made speciality,
nd In which he will shortly be without o rival. A
lumber OF prominent actors and actresses have
their services for the performance,
mOng whom are Charles McManus, Theodore Ham.
ton, Pauline Markham, who will sing an entirely
lew song, and Sgnor OpertL
PARK THEATRE, BRooKLYN-UNDER THE Will.
ows.-An excellent sensational drama, with this |
tile, was presented at the Park Theatre on Monday
vening. II was well mounted and carefully played. |
ne house was filled in every part by most appre-
lative and enthusiastic audience. The interest |
ever Jagged. but was maintained throughout /
hitch, after all, Is the best proof Of the merit of
iece AS usual, at this favOrite theatre the actors
'ere painsta king and effective and were literally
awarded with applause. Mr.. Mark Bates sur
rised even his warmest admirers, while Mr.. Lamb l
as as usual, excellent. Mr.. Chippcndale richly
eserved the warm expressions or approval that