New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-07
OBITUARY.
LAURA KEENE.

| Tho death of Laura Keene, which occurred
at Montclair NJ j., on Tuesday last, WILL doubtless
prove TO old play another monrnful reminder OF
the hight Of time and the rapid extinction OF their Ia
yores. Twenty years ago Miss Keene In the primo
OF her beauty and talent ana in the enjoyment of almost
boundless favor with the local public. Within those
years, however she has 0utliyed her popularity and
sunk into comparative oblivion 50 that tho news Of her
death Will scarcely cause ripple OF feeling, outside Of
crclo of professional cotemporares and theat-
rical habitu6 The moral OF this experience Is not
wholly the eyanescence Of popularity. Public life may
DO mutabe but solidy Of character and talents well
used do not fail 10 win for thor pOsscs5or upon the
stage place opcrmanence at least in the memory OF
the passing generation. Neither Of these possessed
by Miss Keene, and hence happens that her cotempo
rares will scarcely heed the sound OF her passing bell
Laura Keene was of English origin, and born in
1920 AT an early age she came out at the theator Of
Madam Yestrls in London, where presently she al
racted attention aud esoom for various efforts ia light
comedy. One OF her best esteemed persona'ions was
Pauline, in "The Lady Of Lyons" In 1851 sho
gagged by Mr. Walack for his theater in this city,
then Just opened the corner OF BrOome-st and
Broadway, and the 10Th OF October In that she
made her first American appearance, acting Atbna Man
deDiHe IN the play OF" Tho Will" Her success was i'm
mediate and decided. She left Waacks Theater,
though and took to stroIlng a star. In 1884, she
visited San Francisco and In company with Edwin
Booth, D. c. Anderson and ohors. mado trip to Aus
tralia In November 1855. she again in New-York,
and managed the Metropolitan Theater aftcrward called
the Winter Garden, styling 1t the Varieties little later
took the management Of the theater called the
Olympic, which then newly built, and which she
opened Nov 49, 1876, with "As You Like It." This
hOuse--known Laura Keene5 Tneater-she continued
TO direct fog four or five years. but with very dubious
Judgment and with very variable At times Its
fortunes sunk to low ebb. At ono OF these times
Our American Cousin was brought out, at tho nsi
- that nn1a
HIT and saved the theater from by his performance
Of Asa Trenchard. Then also laid the foundation
Of SIR. Sothen5 ex.raJr lnary success as DundreIrB
This piece produced October 49, 1853 and IL ran con-
tinuousy till March IS, $50 after which date 1t was for
time aterDated with other plays. Ia 1860 Miss Keene
IL understood became the wife Of Mr. John LItz, with
whom she had been for some timo associated. one OF
her ventures Laura Keone'5 Thater was spec
tlcle play called "Tho Seyen Sisters" which was con-
sidered o miracle OF rubbish but which ran for 100
nights, from Nov. 90 1860. During o long time after
leaving this theater Miss Kcene was unhoard OF in
theatrical life. within the last few she has boon
roaming tho country with travelling company In
1870 she united with Mr. Creswck In tho production of
piece called "Noboiy'a Child" at the FOurteenthst.
Theater but her conduct upon the stage was not pro-
ptious the OF the effort, and 1t was speedily
discontinued Her best recent success IN NewYOrk was
attained in Mr B)uccauts drama OF " Hunted Down."
which she brought ont az the theater on brOadway
known for while a. Ina Elwn'S and siuce DESTROYED
10y fire. Her last engagement here was played at Woods
Museum. -
In person Miss Keene slender and graceful. She
had an aquine face deicaJey lsn0l;i ItaLuros Dark
eyes, and musical voice. She was lovely TO 500 IN
statnpsgue and attitudes. She ofon dressed
I'm white garments ana seemed to enjoy hiGhtenug -
much possible the effect OF tho spiritual attribute III
her personal appearance she had aswif, elidng mo-
ton aud trick, in the expression Of feeling, or
continually wInkng both her eyes. As an actress she
was the uterlncc OF what may be Indicated as
despairi1g deirum. Moments OF woe ana OF pltheuc
rccklessuess commended themselves to her t'mperh
ment She seldom presented a symmetrical work OF art
One OF her most successful performances that OF
Marco in "rhe Marble Heart" sac was very good.
too as Bscky sharp in VANITY Fur" AT tne highest
pODtin ner career she u actress or brilliant
comedy; she wasted talents and came at last to
be only an exporim9nter in the hydraulic emotional
school Her disease WAS consumption