New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-08


Tony. Neville
Eritz.. hoyiand
Catherine. ................. Mss f. blumenthal
Anne tte....... .......... Miss frankie Mcclellan
Sozel. ........ Miss Lulu hing
The "Bells" is an adaptation, by Leopold
Lewis. from the "Polish Jew of NM. Erck
mann Chartrian, and as far as possible for
an acting piece closely follows the story.
1t has never before been performed in New
Orleans. Tue scene Of act one is that of
the interior of an inn in Alsace, the home of
Burgo,aaster Matthias, and represents domes-
tic happiness and good cheer within IN con-
trast to the storm and cold without. CaN-
crime and Annette. the busy housewife and
her daughter. are waiting the return Of
loved husband and father. Guests are
seated about the room. One of them,
| futher Walter. is reminded by the storm of
| the night when, fifteen years before, a
| traveller, the Polish Jew, was murdered
| nea, their village. He tells how the jew
had entered the i'm of Matthias on such q
night. obtained refreshments and, display
ing large sums of gold about his person,
continued bis journey after an hours rest.
| The Jew was never seen more. His
horse was afterwards found dead, and the
| sleigh in which he rode was discovered.
Two villagers had been arrested on suspi-
cion but through the efforts of the good
Matthias, they were acquitted Of the charge
cf murder. Matthias enters during the re-
cital Of this story, and seems much int r
ested. This act ends with picture Of the
Jew in bis sleigh. bis murderer crouched
near and burning lime kin in the dis
tance. The jinglirg of bells. supposed to
be heard only by Matthias. falls upon the
ear. Terror stricken and frenzied he utters
wild cry and falls fainting. The tableau
and action reveals to the audience that
Matthias murdered the Jew.
The second act finds him gloomy and
preoecupied man, battling with conscience
but still master Of his secret. His anxious
care is to prov ide for his family and to see
his daughter happily married. She is
betrothed to Christian and richly endowed
with hes fathers gold, though the ringing
of the hard pieces seems to him but the
horrid music of tie ever ringing bells. He
is regarded now ss man almost bereft of
reason, and the marriage festival end. in
gloom.
The third act o: this drama is one of the
most expressive ever put upon the stage.
curse to him. Surrounded by friends, he is
a solitary man, and full of sorrow. He
must even sleep alone, from fear Of telling
his terrible story in dreams, and he retres,
ecarceiy to sleep, for Macbeth hath mur-
dered sleep" bat perchance to dream. By
c!everly designed scene, q picture of
| Matthias dream is realized. He sits in a
court of justice and by mesmeric influence
is made to sleep. and to describe the mo-
tives for, and tt. manner of the murder;
how ne had longed for gold, and how. in an
eyi. moment. it came in his way.
Ey path across the fields he had inter-
cepted the Jew, and with an AK struck the
fatal blow. He had robbed the body and
thrust IT into the fire of the burning lime
kiln. 50 trace OF clue to his crime had been
left. and he sat among his fellows rich and
respected. but bearing the mark of Cain
upon his brow. and knowing no joy
after.
The cou,. sceae ends with the supposed
awakening of L!a'Aios, to discover that his
crime is confessed.
! immediately the action Ot the piece re-
turns to the sieefin. room OF Matthias, VINO
now start. FROM his bed ana alarms his
family and guests, and in their presence he
dies death Of terror. seeing the Jew, hear
ing the sound of bells that will never 4ui:
their ringing. ard feeling the Lansmans S
rope about his neck.
! 80 wills th5 fierce avensins s2.s.
! Til, blood for blood atonee.'
So much for the drama, lesson OF con-
science OF the acting of tAe different
character in the piece there i. not much to
he said. Miss frankie Mcclellan and Miss
Lulu King enlivened the scenes in which
they appeared, and were enthusiastically
received. Miss Blumenthal carefully and
correctly performed her part. and deserves
favorable mention. OF the male characters
ia the play, only that of Matthias is of much
Importance, but all did welt. Those present
who rememb bered the remarkable acting OF
Mr.. Johus as Ojearie:er in NO Thorough
fare" his FIST appearance, perhaps expected
too much Of him last night. H ne did not
realize all their anticipations. rs at least
showed that he had carefully studied and
conprehended the meaning OF the play. and
he gave . satisfactory and intelligent per-
formance of mos. difficult part.
Miss Louise Hawthorne looked and acted
charmingly as Mrs.. ChiIli"gto:9s in the COM
edy and Mr. II. Pickles gave tAir sepre-
sentation Of SI,. Edlrdrd .Adrsnt.
The association has shown great eDter
prise and fine taste in presenting new
piece. to their friends, and its reward is
commendaton FROM all who have attended
its entertainments.