The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-18
MU s E M E N IS.


Mr.. Brougham's SLOAN OF Arc"
One OF the features OF the coming dramatic season
Will he the production of 'yoan OF Arc" new TRACE
dy by Mr.. John Brougham. The same subject has
been already illustrated by genius ofsevera great
playwrights, but Mr. Br0ugham's conception OF the
story gives 1t entirely meaning and interest
Instead OF making Joan the commissioned instru-
ment of Heaven to save her country she becomes
In his hands, though without losing the respect
and sympathy Of the audience. the dupe OF pious
fraud. frar of her village, realizing the noble
ness and grandeur OF her character and conscious
Of the necessity of adopting some desperately novel
scheme to redeem France from utter subugatIon
devises series of supernatural manifestations
near nourshing elm (haunted, according to ira
ditlon, by fairies and other unearthy beings which
convince Joan that her mission In life Is to
lead the French armies to victory. AS the
frar is director OF one Of those companies
OF miracle players composed chiefly OF acoytes
In the churchj which were 80 common In
medieval times there Ia In this variation
from the chronicle of history no inherent
posed cali Of Heaven sets out for the Court in COM
pany with the friar, persuades the King OF the
genuineness OF her mission, and, taking command
OF the army lives through year OF unbroken
military success Returning TO Court she Is driven
into exile by the amorous persecution of the mon
arch whose crown she has saved, and lying to her
native village, where she finds the fairy elm blasted
by lightning, Is captured by the English. Then follows
her trial as witch, and in tins hour Of EXTREMIST
need the one belief that has hitherto sustained
her orttudei suddenly shattered by the confession
or the riar that he cheated her eyes and ears with
ed faith In the divinity OF her mission is but empty
delusion This cruel blow Is more than she can
pear, ana heartbroken and utterly hopeless, her
mind tails into ruins. There Is yet another scene
painful but q strkingly pathetic One-in which
Joan, still delirous while being taken to the stake,
lives over again in fancy her former trumphs. The
fastened to the stake restores her reason but hap
realize her position when the aching, broken heart
gives last weary throb, and the executtOners are
This is but the barest outline OF the play but 1t is
enough to show that 1t is based upon daringly
novel view of this worn and almost hackneyed sub
ect. The incidents are arranged with the skill OF
veteran playwright, and the interest gradually
rises until In the closing scenes the mind OF the
ptv and svmpeec tSs te MrY
Workmanship OF the piece 1t would be hard to
speak too highly. The rhetoric is always graceful
never turgld. Some Of the codmey scenes, with
which the gloom OF the piece Is occasionally
relieved, are written in Mr.. Broughams happiest
1t has not yet been decided where 'Joan of Arc"
Is to be first produced, but Miss Helen Temple,
promising young actress has been chosen to take
the chief part and Will doubtless do 1t iull justice.
The Fifth Avenue Theatre.
Mr.. Augustin DAILY will inaugurate fourth cam
pagn at this popular theatre the Sd Of September
and, from the announcements he now Makes there
is every reason to believe that the coming season
will be even more brilliant and successful than It's
predecessors -se..-g-.- ->.-;s's
new piece, entitled Diamonds" by Mr.. Bron.
son G. Howard, the author Of Saratoga" will be
first placed on the bill, and will, doubtless, have
long run. Among other novelties to follow 1t
are new society DRAMA by DR.. Moscntha the
NJ foahi ifo IN,
Berlin; an original comedy, illustrating the man.
ners and character Of American frontiersmen and
Of the New York haut MONDE, by Mr. Bret Harte (his
first attempt as playwright, and new piece, by
M. Victorien Sardou; specially written to fit the
members of Mr.. Daly's comedy and purchased, as
1t Is said, at the extravagant rate Of 81 600 week.
This repertoire will, probably, more than I'LL up
the season, in view Of the long runs which have
hitherto marked the career Of the present manage
ment. and which have been the legitimate result Of
careful and finished production.
The company, while 1t retains the principal
among the old favorites, has been strongly rein
forced by new talent, and now presents the follow
Mr. Charles Fisher, Mr.. George Clarke, Mr. James
Lewis, Mr.. W. Davidge, Mr. Louis James, Mr.. W. J.
G. II. Rockwell, Mr.. owen Fawcett Mr.. q. II. Grit.
nths, Mr.: 9: +: Devere, Mr.: D: Whiting, Mr.. Z.
r reree Mr. M CHAPMAN MI A. Burnett Mr. G.
Davenport, Miss Clara Morris, Miss Fanny Morant,
Mrs. G. II. Gilbert, Miss Linda Detz, Miss Sara Jew
EFT (hcr first appearance on any stage) Miss Kate
Charlton. Miss Mary Cary. Miss Nellie Mortimer,
Miss Rosa Dearham, Miss Grfiths and Miss Roberta
Norwood Late In the season Mrs. Caroline Abbott
will make her debut.
1t should also be stated that the theatre, during
the three months that its doors have been closed to
the public, has been greatly improved and eabo-
rately redecOrated. An entirely new stage has
been laid down; novel system Of footghts has
been introduced; the ceiling has been adorned
with an original subject, painted In rescO, entitled
have been replaced by chairs, enamelled in blue
and bronze; new carpets have been furnished all
over the house, and the walls are now relieved by
hangings Of crimson satin.
During the season Mr.. Harvey B. Dodworth will
have direction OF the music. Mr. John Moore is to be
stage manager and Mr.. Joseph E. roOker business
manager, while the box Ofice will be under the
charge OF Mr.. James E. MOrriSSeY.