The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-02-02
THE THEATRE.

We have rolled lavishly, all Of the
)ast week, in the dramatic and intel
|octual treat rendered US by Helen
D'Este's Dramatic Troupe. They
nave performed nightly, at the Ex-
change Hall, if not to over crowded
houses, at least to appreciative audi
snces, and we must admit, have given
general and pleasing satisfaction to
all who have attended. They have
and personated none but
good and sterling dramas, plays, and
one tragedy, Shakespeare's great
Hamlet, and the very assertion which
we make, that all were we'll and cred
itably rendered, is proof positive that
the Troupe is 4 most excellent and a
carefully selected one. We are not
in the habit of wasting much space
and losing time on the many travelling
and strolling performances which
visit our Town, and if now we devote
something more to the D. Este Troupe
it is simply because they excel any
thing of the kind ever here, to our
knowledge, since Tom Franklin's
Theatre in 1S42-43, and really merit
all the good words we may lavish on
them.
The Hunchback, Fanchon, East
Lynne, Hamlet, Camille, Lady Aud
ley's Secret and Leah are what this
Troupe have given us, and again here
make the assertion, that all eight
were perfectly rendered and Wal
brought out, is once more binding
assertion and endorsement in Their
favor. In Miss Helene D'Este we
have a talented, tasty and finished
actress, the equal surely If not excel
ling in versatility, dignity and pathos
Mrs. Maynard and the Menken, who
up to the present time, were the head
and front here in the Dramatic gal,
axy which shone resplendently in oul
midst in the better days of the better
past. We can gracefully and viii.
lingly weave this humble chaplet Of
deserved praise for her, without the
least danger of it being considered
fulsome or unmerited, and the prais.
es of the community who have seer
her are even vouchers in this instance
In Mr.. Stuttz we have all which
we have read of him in the ablest
journals of the country, and can state
that he has proved all the good prai,
ses lavished on him to be more than
true.
And here we must not omit to
weave another wreath to we'll merited
talent and really good acting, as we
introduce to our readers the person
of Mr.. G. V. Basye, the gentlemanly
and cultured "Avant Courier of the
Troupe. lie certainly took us all by
surprise, on his first appearance Oh
Friday, in the part of Armand Duval,
the lover of the Coquettc, Camille.
He was modestly announced in the
part to fill up, as it were, the place OF
the leading actor, who had to be alb.
sent on that night, and surely "that
fill up was more than filled, and we
all received more than the bond called
for. Mr.. Basye's tout ensemble in the
physique and good looks line are al
greatly in his favor, whilst his gest
ures and good reading blend to com
plete his good acting. We trust az
long as the Company remain here
the management will always put hin
forward "just to fill up" We like
all such changes and can but com
mend them to the Troupe.
Miss Ida Lewis, second lady, a.
the players have it, has proved :
good auxiliary to Miss D'Este, willis
W. H. Cooper, D. Peyser, F. M. Cot
trill. G. Griffith, H. Gray, the Low
Comedian, and funny and bluff ole
Toler Wolfe, with Miss Rosalie ant
Addie Gray, have filled their varied
roles to perfection. And though last
not least, the fine and talented Or
chestra, lead by Professor Saunders
has been the charming interlude ant
blending, which has made the en-
tourage of the Troupe as near perfec
as we can well wish for such il
Alexandria.
The new Election Bill, which
has passed the House, covers 56 sec
tions and is said to be good Bill
among important changes expugnini