The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-19
ADJUSTMENTS.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

thFUHgeQ from plt VI uOu1t, W Wltnta1o Vho
second representation Of the Sleeping
Beauty" AS In most OF the notices Of the
press, rlaught but flattery has been bestowed
upon the efforts OF those engaged In the en-
tet4ainment, 1t would not be perhaps mop
pertune to give few wholesome critical
hints. In which censure as well as praise must
play part
1t will be our aim to avoid that object style
of compliment which seldom falls to make
both the complimenter and complinented
ridiculous.
II has been often asserted, with some show
OF reason, that a performance by amateurs
for benevolent purpose should not be sub
iected TO criticism; whereas, on the other
hand, 1t Is averred that by the act of charg-
Ing fee, the players renounce the franchises
appertaining to amateurs, and can claim no
exemption from the utmost vigor OF critical
procedure.
We beg leave to dissent from both OF these
opinions. We admit, that in city which
Justly boasts If SO much native talent, 1t
would be pernieious folly to allow bad acting
to pass uncenst1red merely because the player
happened to BIZ deyutiDg his time and his MI-
ents 10 the ca,lss OF charity. Besides, 1t 10 In
having our defects pointed out that we can
remedy them, and 1T flas been truly said that
The wise new wisdom from tbs wise acquire,
And one bfavs hero fans anotber's Ere.
But still upon such occasions we hold that
the critic should follow the example OF the
courteous knight, whom fate had compelled
to enter the lists against Brldamafte. The
poet tells us that he defended his cause with
success, but previous to the fray lie had ex-
changed bis favorite sword Balisarda for
less deadly weapons Of which he had care
fully blunted the point and edge.
Our readers may probably infer from
what we have written that the perform
ance Of the Sleeping Beauty Z has dlsap-
pointed us; If so, we must hasten to correct
this false impression, for false IL is.
1t has rarely been our privilege to witness
| piece of dumb acting which has given so
much pleasure, or to gaze UPON so much
magnificenee as was displayed II the forma-
ton OF the tabieatx, but ws must admit some
defects which will justify criticism.
We're the circumstances different it would
be with great diffidence that we would enter
upon u notice OF d young lady stranger to our
city (but stranger now no longer, but as 1t
liz, the task OF reviewing her performance
becGrueS pleasure.
Or handsome features and graceful car
risge, she fully exetUplfied the truth Of the
Italian poets standardization made the
woman and then broke the mould" and to
these natural advantages, she joined rare
| talent OF helineation vi character.
! Her facial play was perfect while her ge5-
| lures were always in keeping with 1t.
In the tower scene the look of Joy depicted
| upon her couatenanee at seeing d seeming
chance Of escape, and the sudden transition
to one Of dis ,pointment at finding this es-
cape impossible, was very finely rendered and
| true to nature and although no words e.
capped her lips, stili we could read more In
| those eyes than words could have conveyed
| When she besought her keeper to put her In
possession OF her jewels, and when later on
She distracted from her pocket the key Of the
tower, We strongly doubt If one Of older ex.
Eperience on the stage could have done better
and we feel convinced that none could have
| given more pleasure. As PrOspsro says:
She will outstrip alllpt ase.
And make 1t halt bshind her.
| Prince Charming, we are inclined to believe
| WIS fully up to the requirements OF d part
which, although OF extreme difficulty, was
rendered pleasant and light inspired by such
a Sleeping Beauty.
He has however, been seen in other scenes
and other characters, and the public. befora
whom he played, Ii sufficiently acquainted
with him to make praise upon our part super
| fiuous.
Suffice 1t to say that he exemplifies and car.
ries out to the letter the old saying, what.
ever Is worth doing at all Is worth doing we'll
| We crave her Majesty's pardon Ii we have
given place to q Prince before mentioning the
| Queen, but the fact is the lovers looked sc
/ happy when last we saw them in FafrylanG
that we could not separate them In oul
| thoughts.
/ Seldom has 1t been our fortunate lot to gas
| upon such q Queen--a beautiful and majestic
Queen, who with an ease and grace we have
seldom seen surp ssed bore herself In hel
i thigh estate"
The King, we regret to say. might possibly
have done better, but In the selection of BIZ
robes OF state he evinced con siderable goot
taste.
The Court Jester was rather q creditabI
performance, but we are frankly forced to ad
NIT that had the moustache of Countess
Gruffenough been less apparent 1t might, be
Sides giving htr more worna1Ify appear
ance, have added somewhat to the genera
effect. A horrible thought now fits across
our mind and leaves Us In state bordering
closely upon despair at the prospect of ou
probable gloomy and melancholy fate.
With seeming forgetfulness we have omit
ted mentioning the charming Queen of Fai
ries and her lovely court
For this apparent neglect we fear tina
Iitania, when we retire to court the sweet
] OF balmy sleep, will Drolong our rest into on
Of not hundred, but five hundred years, AM
we must hasten to assure her that the omis
sion was intended, as we wished to resery
some Of the best bits for the last
We can frankly and sincerely extend on
compliments to Titania for the rendition OF
part which called for much talent and muc
grace.
A ,bevy' Of bewitching fairies danced In a,
, tendance upon the QUEEN, and Butterfly. Sc
Foam, Snow Ball, Moonlight, Starbeau
Sunbeam and Daisy looked the embodiment
OF their assumed Names
But before concluding we must needs mer
ton an Incident connected with the sleepin
scene, which has given rise to some comnIen
J Ihe general management of this sleepin
scene was very fire, but an incongruity wa
] observable which we are Surprised had M
been noted before.
Along and flowing beard covered the King
lace, whereas the testers moustache was
precisely the same length as 1t was when til
slumoerons weight first inclined his eyeIid
some OF the courtier's faces were as smoot
and clean as those Of newborn babes, viii
| others reyeled In the possession of moustache
oisarlstocratic twirl and side Whiskers OF ell,
CANT and fascinating Shapes.
! u - evident to us that this sleep Of or
, hundred years was TO be stand-still in til
lives OF the Kings household, and althoug
Iennyson's king excIaims:
BY holy rood, royaI beard,o