New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-19
Orleans Dramatic Association.

The performance given by this assecia-
ton last night at the Varieties Theatre was
for the benefit Of Miss Louise Hawthorne,
and in more than one sense it was compli-
mentary to that excellent artist. The house
was full one, a fact gratifying to the lady
and to the association The play chosen
for the occasion was billed as "La Tenta-
tion," though it is in plo. and action sub
ssantially the same as that performed in
New York under the title Of Lied Astray."
1t was here performed with the following
cast of characters:
GOrtrau Count de vardes. F. Buck
A!phOnse de heronau. w. H. Beanham
marquis oe btOssac aaTry flckles
reeelyan. &c. NJ. DeCamp
Dlrti ..............M III. D. Gardner
Camille Countess de Vardes.
Miss Louise Hawthorne
Helene daughter of Camille and Goutrau,
Miss Minnie Doyle
N. IS Esther Blumenthal
Nine. de saulieu, mother to Camille,
Miss Maggie Stroudback
Nine DumesIil Miss Eta Graves
The plot OF this piece is simple one.
What is portrayed could only happen in
France. The title of '.The Temptation is
more appropriate than that of LED
Astray," for the stage shadows only tempta-
tion, it leaves real errors of social life to be
! inferred. In England the piece was many
years since played as "A Dangerous
Friend" This was before it was written
| by Mr. Boucicault A French gentle
| man and a beautiful wife. A man
| older in years than his wife, and man of
| tie world; good husband, as the world
| goes. but not lover. The wife is young.
romantic, good, but believes herself neg
| lecued, is tempted, and the tempter is Ire
velyan. He is the serpent of the French
Eden. He writes in book, to be seen by
| Camille, the remarkao ole lines:
! 1have another life I long to meet.
| Without which life my life is incomplete
| oh, swee:er self like me, art thou astrav,
Trying with all thy heart to fud the way
To mine! Straving, like mine, to find the breast
| On which alone can weary heart find rest.
These are the key notes OF the play.
-4lQhonse is the good genius, saving husband
and wife. The startling scenes OF the piece
are the card scene Of the third act, where it
| is agreed between the husband and his
prevent scandal, and the duel scene, where
Gouham is wounded, and yet allows
Trerelyan to live. Nothing could be
more dramatic. Otherwise the situations
and language are extremely natural and
domestic in tone. The play may be con-
sidered an immoral one-quite enough so
to satisfy New York audience. In effect
upon the senses it is not unlike "Dvorce. y
Az tor the acting of the piece, what was
witnessed last night will be judged most
leniently. Miss Hawthorne achieved a real
triumph, and saved the piece. She man
aged her scenes most skillfully, and By her
representation of Camille recorded fol
herself another triumph in New Or
leans. The part allotted to Miss Doyle
was that of a petted, simple girl, and
she played the character with charm
ing naivete and grace which did
her great credit. Mr.. Pickles took the par1
he played at short notice. owing to the
illness of Mr.. Hisgen, and succeeded admi
rably. Mr.. Beanham was seen in new
light as an actor. He is best known IN low
comedy. Alphonse belongs to the come
dian, but it requires serious treatment
in many scenes, and Mr.. Beanhan
happily disappointed his friends by
his judicious acting of most important
part. During the evening Miss Hawthorne
was publicly presented with handsome
set of jewelry. The presentation speech
was made by Mr.. George Stern, on behal
of the association, and the lady responded
in few well chosen words, assuring he
benefactors of her appreciation and graft
tude. Her benefit was happy occasion TO
all concerned.