The New York herald., 1872-08-12

would be peopled with spectators OF the Dar-
winian species. and, like our four-handed an
cestors, the managers would devote their time to
copying everything done by a few leaders,
The cheering feature Of the coming season Is the
tendency towards strong companies and combfna
tions, thereby seeking to present good ensemble
rather than to depend upon q single star. We sup
pose the millennium will come before the star sys
tenn is abolished, but still the establishment OF good
stock companies will 20 fur towards correcting the
evil Society plays are also becoming very popular
thanks to the noble examples shown by Mr. Wallack
and Mr.. Daily. In this respect managers select ex-
ceent models to copy after, and, as to portray the
manners and peculiarities OF modern society sue
cessfuiy on the stage requires company OF no
ordinary standard, these plays, like the Old come
dies, may be the means OF curtaing the power of
stare The long gl0Oked-fOr and long for school
OF American comedy is still In the far.On future
and 1t seems no nearer than before. To be sure
we have deluge Of sol dtsant American comedies
but in most cases 1t is borrowed plumage. Every
scene and every line smacks OF the Gv'nnase the
Amblgu, and Sardou, Meilhac or Halevy furnish the
sentiment We have yet to hear Q comedy or
society drama that faithfully reflects American life.
The machipe play. e.. one that depends solely
upon some carpenter sensation-js on the wane.
II was the rage last season, and It is matter of
congratulatiOn to lind that the American public at
last have come to regard such monstrOsitics as
trash. In the Bowery the variety theatres II is
tOlerable enough; but In hrst class establishments
II is o nuisance.
THE ACroR's MARKET PLACE.
dramatic agency In the months OF July and
August when the country managers arc in town
and the engagements for the season are completed,
IL an interesting study. We nnd ourselves In a
armament OF stars OF oil kinds, with an undue pro-
portion OF penny rushlights Now and then
comet like that which s to strike the earth to-day
rushes across the horizon OF the agent, his lumi-
nous coattalls brushing in d!sdain by the lesser
luminares and an air Of conscious dignity pervad-
ing his entire person. In the house Of Messrs.
Canning Lowell, on Broadway, for weeks past
there has been busy throng OF managers and
their employees Here is q heavy man lin appear
ance "the mildestmannered villain that ever scut-
tied ship or cut o thrOatD In friendly converse
with a melancholy chambermaid; the heroic young
man whose province it is to do oil sorts Of
impossible brave things is hObnobbng with q Lady
Macbeth or, perhaps, the redoubtable JibbenainO-
say himself and the traditional old woman Is smll-
Ing benignly on a song d-dance man. II is per-
feet kaleidoscope Of contradictions and curiosites
and Is bewildering to the uninitiated. Regarding
dramatic agencies we must say that they are very
useful-nay, highly necessary-to bring managers
interruptions, designing spectators to create
monopoly and to wilfuly lead unsophisticated
members Of the profession astray Some agents
are In the habit of claiming the exclusive right to
the entire dramatic business, but such course Of
fraud and swindle soon brings with 1t its own pun
ishment We shall now give an account Of the
preparations made at the principal theatres IN the
United States for the coming season.
UNION SQUARE THEATRE.
This theatre was closed on the 10th instant for
alterations and repairs, the vokes Family making
their farewell appearance in New York on that
date. The regular season will open on the 10th
OF September. The house will henceforth be de-
voted to high comedy and the legitimate drama
Mr. Sheridan Shook retains his proprictorship
Mr.. A. W. Palmer is the manager, while the drec-
tion OF the stage and Of all matters relating to the
production OF plays, &c, Is to be In the
hands Of Mr.. d. Ii. Harkins, for several
years past stage director at the Fifth Avenue
Theatre. The company viii consist Of the following
persons Miss Agnes Ethel, OF the Fifth avenue
Theatre; Mrs Clara Jennings, OF Wallack's; Mss
phia theatres said to be one OF the handsomcst
women on the stage) Miss Emily Mestayer, of Wal
Kitty blanchard, Of Globe Theatre Boston, now now
starring in the west; Miss Mary Griswoid, or 81.
New Yok Mss Lee lately
don; Miss Fanny Haward, Miss Rose Laurens. of
the Apch Fswts Street Tneas rlna"ena Miss
Thorpe, Miss Virginia Holland, daughter '"S Of
Mr. Mckee Rankn Of ST. %oas % heat9s Me;f mr. sFF'P
Mackay,. of Globe Theatre, Boston; Mr.. Ed
Lamb, Of Brooklyn Theatre; Mr.. George Parkes, OF
waacks Mr. ". l. Laurens, % pnIE%tS OF ATch Street ct
Theatre Philadelphia; Mr.. J. r. Barnett, Of the
Arch Street Theatre PiISdepna % Mr. Mcf,I"Sns - WI IL
der, OF the California Theatre; Mr.. James W.
anSrpe' anS Pr2mpter; Mr. Stuart, Mr.. D. Ii. Harkins
The orchestral music of the house is to be under
the direction OF Mr. Harry Tssington, lately OF the
The scenic department is under the direction of
Mr. Richard Marston, the clever artist who painted
most Of the "Black Crook" and "Laa kookh"
The alterations In the theatre will be mainly con-
fined to the stage, Which will be SO changed as to
permit the production OF pieces after the manner Of
the best London and Paris theatres. The front OF
the house will be redecOrated and rcpainted. The
whole house will be carpeted ana the entire lower
OF the theatre will be located ON Fourteenth street
and will be large and splendidly furnished. The
season Will open early in September with new
Ethel by M. victorien sardo1 fhc location Of this
theatre, sandwched as 1t Is between the Italian
Opera and Wallack's, eminenty fits it for plays OF
wALLACKs
After the conclusion Of the engagement OF the
Lydia Thompson troupe at this theatre, which VIII
be probably about the beginning OF October, the
regular fall and winter season will begin. or the
old company Messrs Gilbert, StOddart and Polk,
Mrs. SETON Mme Ponisi and Miss Eifie Germon are
retained. The season will be slgnalsed by the en-
gagement OF the admirable comedian Mr. Sothern,
who will be the reigning attraction lie will open,
OF course, with "Our American Cousin,r in which
his Lord Dundreary has acquired worldwide re-
nown Mr. Raymond and Mr.. Lytton SOthern will
appear In this comedy. brother Sam" and q num-
Der of new plays win follow In rapid succession.
During Mr.. Sotherns engagements Mr.. Lester
Wallack will star through the provinces.
1t is rumored that, in case Mr.. S0thern
does not commence the regular season,
W. s. Gberts "Pygmaon and Galatea" by the
company will be the initial piece. The report that
Mr.. Wallack has sold out his interest In the theatre
to Mr.. Sothern is incorrect. Mr. Sothern Ia simply
engaged as member OF the company, In the same
m0nler as Mathews and Brougham during the last
season. ~ 'rr-y 49, s-v ..-'sS.
,....'c FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.
Mr.. DAILY, emb0idened by the uninterrupted sue
hna In lfa hoa ful