The New York herald., 1879-09-11
ADJUSTMENTS.
TIE STANDARD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. /"


larger or more critical audience than that which as
sembed last evening to witness the performance of
"Narcsse" by Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel E. Bandmann
and their attendant English company. who made
their appearance in this country for the first time.
The popular verdict upon the play was
a favorable one. Indeed. in point of action.
costume, color. appropriate scenery and
effective situation it is long since the public have
had an opportunity of enjoying stage views more
true to life or witnessing perfect represents
ton of an historic episode belonging to another
century.
The story of Narcisse dramatized by Albert
Emil Brachvogel about the year 1856. and was per-
formed throughout Germany with such wonderful
success that it at once established the young COM
poser one OF the most brilliant Of German
dramatic poets. 1t has been published abroad i'll
various FORMS and by reason Of its great interest
has always retained freshness and popularity. The
present version. played by Mr.. Bandmann over
two thousand times. is from the pen of Mr. Tom Tay-
lor, and is arranged in what might be called i've
tableaux tor every fall of the curtain encloses pic
ture. The incidents in "Narcisse are based on the
life of the poet Scaron. the first husband of Nine.
de Pompadour the mistress of Louis XIV, who con-
spired to obtain the divorce Of the Queen and
bring about her own marriage with the King.
In this scheme she was aided by the Due de
Choiseul, Premier OF France, but its accomplish
ment thwarted by the introduction of Narcisse,
VINO in the play represents the part played in history
by Scaron IL act first Narcsse is introduced into
the salon OF Baron de Holbach for the enter
tainment aud diversion OF the polite idiers.
among whom to be found the encyclopedias
Diderot, Grn m. &C., upon whom Narcisse exercises
his scathing irony, and is afterward carried home
by Doris Quinault an actress of the Theatre
FRANCHISE and reader to the Queen, who is devoted
TO the overthrow of the Pompadour. The
act closes with a touching scene. in which
by his wife. In the last act the cli-
is reached. when Narcisse is introduced
in a comedy after iete at Versailles in honor OF the
recovery OF the Pompadour from a serious illness.
During this comedy Narcisse recognizes in the royal
wanton, whom he has regarded the evil genius Of
France. Janet Poisson. his long lost wife,. Then
follows the bitteres. denunciation OF an overlooking
nature. and the play closes with her death and the
grief of the n-hearted Narcisse.
In producing the drama Mr.. Bandmann has evil
IDENTIFY spared pains. The surroundings are faith
full copies in their details, but without these
the chief interest of the play would still centre
around the artist, who, by reason OF his excellent
personation of the leading character invested it with
romance that enlisted the attention of the audience
from the beginning to the end He has the figure
OF athlete, expressive eye and mobile face.
of its effectiveness because it has the
slightest touch of foreign accent. In
that his delivery was wonderfully like that of the
late Mr.. Fechter, although Mr.. Bandmann played
here long before Mr. Fechter made his first appear
While he may not be classed in the first rank
of living actors there yet many features in his
method that Will bear favorable comparison with
his dramatic compeers and secure the praise that
waits upon conscientious and cultured cndeavor.
Mrs. Bandmann as Doris Quinault acquitted her
self creditaoly. She produced favorable impress
zion at the first glance and maintained it until the
end. Like her husband, she is good elocutionist.
and identified herself thoroughly with the part.
Much curiosity felt in the performance
% the general company, which, has
been announced, is entirely English There
some exhibition of nervousness and hitch here
and there. such might be expected first night
and strange place. but on the whole. the work Of
the actors and actresses deserves compliment
One fact is worthy OF comment. They played to
each other-never to the audience. There was not
observable the first instance OF self-conceit self
Consciousness. 1t striking contrast to the ex-
hibiton of egotism that is frequently else
where. The character of Nine. La POM
padour sustained by Miss Bella Mur-
doch, and her reception was proof CROUCH
that its rendition was Gratifying. Messrs.
Eyre, Aveng. Denham and Lyndall also
played well, but in cast where all subor-
dinate to the central figure 1t is difficult
to foretel what capabilities they may pos
sess in other roles An agreeable episode Of the
evening the introduction OF a ballet of children
in Moorish costume. They sang and danced with
much precision and added not little to the pictu-
resqueness of the scene in which they were intro
duced. Taken as a whole, "Narcisse" may be written
a