The New York herald., 1872-09-20
THE THEATRES LAST MIGHT.

Fechter 1t the Union Leacue Theatre.
A small but select audience assembled last night
at the Union League Theatre to welcome Mr.. Fech-
tor on his return to the American stage The fact
that the performance was to be In French ex-
cluded the mass of the public from any interest
In the event; ana even were it otherwise the high
price OF admission would have acted az q bar
rier to anything like popular reception. Out.
side the pleasure which the finished acting of Mr.
Fechter always sfYords to people Of refined taste.
there was little In the programme to attract. The
performance opened with one OF those tresome
productions in which the actors moraltze instead
OF trying to amuse, as though people went to the
theatre to listen to eiegies. II from the pen Of
Q Mr.. Francois Coppee. and claimed to be an
"episode dramatque,o entitled "Fais ce que dos,"
achieve vengeance and win back Alsacs. 1t Is
due to the good sense of the audience to
were not considered sufncient offset to the stu
pdity and dulness OF the''epsode." There was an
evident feeling OF relief among the audience when
the curtain dropped and the heavy sermon
came to an end. The feeling OF oppression and
sadness produced by this foolish expression OF pa
Of Mr. Fechter In his celebrated role as Frederic de
Marsan When he entered on the stage the audi
dered him really warm reception. Time has dealt
with him not severely but somewhat unkindly. He
That es ns ra~ases Ss as Of
not deprived him OF any Of his old uerve. His
conception of the part was marked
Sntsh % and attention % H to @ details AqS1sss whicS
places him In the front rank of living artists or
the play itself 1t is needless to speak, Its construc
ton Is ingenious and the dialogue sparkles with
quick and subtle repartce, such as Is unfortu-
days usurps the American stage. Mr.. Fechter's
performance last night makes us nxiOus for the
opening OF his new theatre, where his talent will
have full scope. The part OF BENJAMIN was under
taken by Mr.. Jugnet, who proved himself an actor
OF good ability. The rest OF the cast calls for no
special mention. ~
fnt ,.s r Theatre COmique.
While the grave and the sentimental are lavish
ing their patronage on tragedy and romance, the
Theatre Comique, under the present judicfous
Management continues to attract crowded houses,
doubtless on the principle that variety Is good for
existence Beyond question, Josh Hart has exhib-
tied wise discrimination In this selection of his
programme aud the success which, at present
characterizes his efforts Is well deserved. Novelty
seems to be prominent feature OF the entertain
ment, and IL last nights performance can be taken
as criterion, Hart has struck the keynote OF the
popular taste. There was nothing wanting to render
the programme all that it pretended to be-laugh-
ablo sketches, seriO-c0mtc songs prOdigiOus
varieties, enjoyable interludes, characteristic
dances, and in TACT, all that could possibly contri-
butte to make the entertainment worthy general
appreciation. 1t would perhaps be tnvidlOus to
make distinctions, but the favor with which Miss
Annie Adams was received at once proved her
popularity She has been well styled the queen OF
sertO-cOmic vOcalsts, and, what with an excellent
voice, o winning manner and an irresistible method
OF making point, she fairly carries her auditors
by storm But there was an infinite variety
throughout, and the pretty songs, SO sweetly and
artistcally rendered by Miss Jennie Hughes added
not little 10 the general excellence Of the enter
tainment. i