The New York herald., 1872-12-17
A N u 8 E M L N rs.
The "s'tiy of France" at Booth's-Miss
Helen Temple as Joan OF Arc.

Helen Temple ns Joan OF Arc.
1t was very bold experiment In Mr.. John
Brougham to bring out his new play ''The Lily
OF France" with lady In the leading part SO
thoroughly unknown In New York as Miss Helen
Temple. And for Miss Temple to undertake the
impersonaton of Joan OF Arc at Booths Theatre
last night was as bold and perous venture as
when the simple peasant girl sought the command
OF tho armies OF France. Tho nrst Impressions Of
the piece are that in itself 1t is very fair acting
play, but needs Intelligent pruning and more
thorough concentration Of speech aud sentiment.
In the first and second acts 1T seems studied ana
careful vehicle for telling the singular and rather
apochryphal story OF Joan OF Arc. Its fidelity to
history Is sufficient In play founded on what Is
scarcely more than myth. This makes the con-
cluding scene. IN which the heroine dies at the
table instead OF being burned alive, not only
allowable but, In dramatic point of view, excel
lent. The third act, however, In which, under the
leadership OF tho shepherd maid, the French fight
for the recovery OF Orleans Is an ambitious failure
Mr. James w. Wallack as Talbot gives dignity to
the first scene by careful but characteristic acting
though the introduction of Talbot into the piece Is
Over-ambttious Beyond this ana the scenery
there IS nothing to save II from ignominy tf II
continues to be executed as II was last night. The
traditional acting OF the 'sars Of the sensatona!
Temple urging forward her forces on the
ramparts OF Orleans, and Joan OF Arcs con-
test with Talbot Is an episode as foolish as it is
unworthy OF dramatic art. On first reprcscn-
tat0n OF the piece cannot speak OF u as 1t may
be necessary, for It may improve and at least be
corded. For this reason we pass over anything
ike thorough analysis OF the play and leave ali
single exception. We should be pleased to do the
same thing with Miss Temple II we saw any strong
ep but n as not se may
thoroughly uncultlvated actress never undertook
leading part on the New York stage. Her voice is
hollow and without 0 pleasant tone tp tta entire
range, which sometimes reaekes even the bolster
GUS. Her acting Is scarcely deserving of the name.
She has not studied her profession except under
the most unav0rable auspices and she brings to the
part peculiar quality except lack OF cultivation,
which seems as Inherent In the artist as In the
heroine. At the same time Miss Temple may I'm
prove and become at least fairly trained actress.
The only positive attribute which she evinces s
force, and 1t is upon this that she will have to de-
pend for whatever future progress she may make.
The greatest obstacle to success, as we have
already indicated, Is In her voice, but thorough In
structiOn in elocutiOn may overcome much OF the
inherent weakness she now exhibits. The excep-
ton in the acting to which We referred Is Mr..
George Beck's Court Jester. The clowns conver-
M M ; WIN ms tte ~ wsse rog was nm r h
audience. II stood out in bold reer from the rest
OF the performance and was. In TACT. one OF those
gems which we sometimes find In performances or
parts where they are least expected.
"Married Life" at the Fifth Avenue
Theatre.
Buckstone's admirable comedy OF "Married
Life" was produced at this theatre last evening"
and, in spite OF the audience being somewhat
affected in numbers by the weather, the fun and
spirit Of the piece were interpreted with conscien-
tious care and awakened iattering degree OF
enthusiasm. The plot Of the comedy Is OF the
slightest, but, though it does not even pretend to
be probable, It serves q woof upon which some
very skilfully drawn characterization and singu-
larry sparkling ana lively dialogue are successfully
played in New York owing to the strain
1t makes upon even good stock company to
At its parts with endurabe players. Each Of It's
ten roles demands more than average dramatic tai
ent and training; and they are nearly all OF equal
Importance to the success OF the representation.
Its creditabe performance last night, therefore,
strkingy displayed the strength OF the present Fifth
Avenue company. Mi. Dayidges Coddle was de-
lcious piece OF humor, exqulsitely droll, and yet
never violating the modesty OF nature; AMI Mr..
Lewis Dove was also charming bit OF fun. Mr..
CrIsps Lynx was stir and STACEY and constrained.
Miss Fanny Morant as Mrs. Dove, and Mrs. Gilbert
as Mrs. Coddle, played at once with the finished
ease OF long experience and a subtle CON dfnOYe
tone which nt to ep
deserved praise as piquante and careful piece OF
character drawing. Miss Sara Jewett succeeded
scarcely so well. The chief fault to be found with
the comedy Is that II was too short, taking only
couple Of hours for its representation.
stadt Theatre.
The incement weather last evening made sad
havoc with the attendance at the German opera.
"The Merry Wives OF windsor" was presented for
the second time. without the French-like vivacty
OF Lucca, Madame Lichtmay contrives to make
quite natterng success in the role OF Mrs. Ford,
and Miss Clara Perl Is immeasurably superior to
Miss Henne (who sung with Madame Lucca) as Mrs.
Page. Both ladies appeared to advantage-we
cannot say In the barren music OF the opera-but
In the finish OF their acting according to the Ger
man notion OF the roles. Speigler makes an ad-
mrable Falstarf, and, with Mr.. De la Fontaine as
Ford, won applause In the well-known duet, "Wie
freu' ich mich" The rest OF the cast was on a
par with that which we commented upon al the
Academy or Music last week. on Wednesday the
opera OF "F10ttc Bursche" gony Studentsl Will be
given.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
Mrs. Clara Morris Is to appear at the Grand Opera
House In o new sensational drama when "the
clock stops"
Rubinsten has not been well received outside OF
this city-B0ston and Philadelphia falling TO appre-