The New York herald., 1874-09-01

seems 20 whisper. "rhs is Jean Daven-
P1r." %as bureo SS II Is and before tnas name name
the Dis sne may have been great actress some
people certainly thought her so then. II Is a
Der OF the company has evident tly passed his semi.
century birthday, and that Is more than they de-
serve 10 nave SAD about them, taking the parts
su1icient intelligence to study the lines, to say
nothing OF the gags" could move about the stage
and thlnK ne was acting. as Mr.. oliver Dowd did
last nignt, II mystery He must have been study
ing his progenltors rom Darwinian point OF
view and the impression left by the labor was
strong IN his-head.
The Park Theatre.
Mr.. E. Lamb has become the manager of the
Park Theatre In Brooklyn. His enterprise was
inaugurated last night by the introduction OF Tom
Taylor's beautiful comedy "The Babes in the
Wood" Unless the play was selected to show OF
the wretched incapacity OF Mr. Lamb and his
company we eau see no other excuse for its
presen tation TO the audience that half
filled the house last night. AS Mr.. Lambs
name Is starred upon the bills, perhaps he meant
the exhibition as showing OF OF himself. 1t was
neither good nor enjoyable IN any sense Mr..
Lamb Is not comedian either low, high or &c.
centric degree. His points are wooden points,
squeezed out with effort, and as laughter Is sud-
den Outburst OF sentiment produced In cases OF
TINS description by eccentric comicdlites Mr.
nGI he H may De
ms place Is certainly not on the boards when
the "barrel' ts In the "iies." One striking
exception to the other members OF the company
Is Miss Blanche Grey. She is tall, stately, I'm
ished actress, who played the part OF Lady Blanche
Rushton with a capaDility and ladyIike instinct
tnat won her immediate recognition from the
dience. A Mr.. M. J. Jordan presented sir George
Looselle IN velveteen coat OF doubtful parentage,
WMte, RED ana black paint In proiusiOn, and
method OF mixing them that was very unusual.
The enect OF this makeup In the little house was
stately smile and dliicuit enunciatiOn. MISS
Blanche Grey and Mrs. BrutOne did the only acting
we noticed IN the play.
Bryant's Minstrels-Opening Night.
For real, genuine nights fun, where one has
nothing to do but laugh unrestrainedly from the
time the curtain rises until 1t goes down. COM
mend US, above all other theatres, to the pretty
little house where Dan Bryant and his merry men
black their faces. The opening OF the season last
night was an uproarious success. Every seat was
sold in advance, and late corners had to stand and
perspire. Dan Bryant and Nelse Seymour, as
bright particular stars OF the dusky constellation,
were received with rOusing applause, and Dan
made very neat little speech in consequence.
Negro minstrelsy seems to have condensed itself
now into one troupe. and over that presides
the immortal Dan. A few well sung ballads,
rendered by the favOrte Charles Tempeton and
Fred Waltz, with an excellent chorus. formed the
salient features OF the first part OF the programme,
and Dave Reed OF the bones, the aesthetic Qualities
OF the Jokes were displayed IN their best lgnt.
Bob Hart. whllom OF Mutton Trial" lame, the
elongated Nelse Seymour, OF No. II pedal celebrity,
Dave Reed, nimbe DCnnybrook champion:
DonniIer, sensational violin player, and the
syph like Murska-volced prima DONNA w. Henry
Rice. one OF the best in his line on the minstrel
stage. appeared last evening and won at once the
favor OF the pubic. The nineteenth season OF Dan
Bryant's company, and few managers can point to
such long and unbrOKen career OF success, has
opened with an ecldt that bids fair TO carry the
popular king OF the mtnstrelS on q tide OF success
to the end OF his season. The final burlesque
.School." IS indescrioably funny, and will likely
n0d see no ooards or weeks to come No material
and Ricketts,, Dan Bryant and Nese Seymour,
Dave Reed and Bob Hart and Brockway and Ho.
gan still occupying their respective positions No
brighter little house, more redolent OF the true
spirit OF merrlment. and so popular can be found
theatre where Bryant's Mlnstrels nightly hold
forth.
Musical and Dramat Notes.
Kate Fields win open at Chicago in s.Peg wof
fngton.n
Bouccault's new Irish play will be produced at
Wallack's. The author will appear IN 1t.
1t is understood that Miss Fannie Brough, the
English actress, will make her debut in America
on next Monday evening, at Booths Theatre. as
Belvidera, IN Otway's tragedy, "venice Preserved"
Miss Brough has the advantages OF youth, beauty
and freshness.
Much preparation is making at the New Park
Theatre for the reopening, on the 14th, with Mark
Twain's drama, 1.-The Gilded Age" MIR. John T.
Raymond win play his original character of Colonel
Sellers. The other characters will be played by
various metropolitan favOrites.
The Mark Smith memorial meeting, to be held
this afternoon at two O'Clock, In Booths Theatre,
and to be composed OF actors Qadies and gentle
men), managers, Journalistic the scenic artists,
mechanical departments OF the several theatres
and friends OF the deceased comedian in general,
promises to be very large. Mr.. Lester Wallack has
signifed his intention TO preside and delegations
will be present from many clubs, those appointed
by the Lotos being John Brougham, Charles Gay
ler and George Clarke. The officers Of the meet
ing will occupy the stage, and the audience will be
seated In the orchestra stalls. The various club
houses and places Of amusement are requested to
raise their coors al half mast from sunrise to sun
set to-day.