The Sun. — 1860-03-09 (London, England)

THE SERGEANT'S WIFE. The announcement by Madame Celeste that it was intended to reproduce the melodrama of " The Sergeant's Wife," which lives only in the recollection of those who thirty years ago had the pleasure of witnessing the admirable performance of Miss Kelly and that distinguished band of performers who are almost extinct, but whose example appears to have inspired a not unworthy race of representatives, was a surprise to the play-going public, but the realisation of the performance of last night was more gratifying even than the recollection of bygone achievements. As was said by some cynical traveller on the road to Chalons, in reply to a romantic allusion to the dreams of Rosseau, " La route vaut mieux que les souvenirs," so we may venture to express our opinion that this well constructed melo-drama was better represented last night than when we were affected in our youth by the alternate emotions of pleasure and pain which the powerful situations of the piece are calculated to inspire. Miss Kelly, who stood unquestionably at the head of this class of dramatic representations, is an historical association which can never be separated from "The Sergeant's Wife ;" and so much artistic care had she devoted to the impersonation of the character, that it will be remembered when that lady opened her dramatic school at Soho she commenced her season with this performance—a triumph of histrionic skill which at that period of excellence was acknowledged to be the perfection of the art. If we remember rightly Miss Kelly is the last remaining representative of that distinguished of artistes. Mrs. Keeley appeared last nig b t in her original part of Margot, the strongest test which could possibly be applied to the singular talent of Madame Celeste. Mrs. Keeley is in possession of so much experience and so much ability that these qualities would have overshadowed any second rate artiste ; but in the case of Madame Celeste they only served to bring out in stronger relief the extraordinary natural and acquired powers which that lady possesses. The passion, the intensity of expression, the perfect command of every situation presented in the drama, elntituted a perfect and finished study of this school of dramatic art, which was fully borne witr.ess to by the fixed and earnest attention of an appreciative audience. It is scarcely possible to imagine anything more intensely absorbing than the interest which Madame Celeste, by refinement of art, contrived to surround the particular scene upon which the whole interest of this melodrama turns, namely, that wherein the unfortunate sergeant's wife is condemned to witness without a hope of escape, as she imagines, the murder of the father of her husband. Nor was her by-play less to be admired, in that scene where she escaped from the chateau. We may be excused for not detailing the plot of the " Sergeant's Wife," since it must be familiar to all who take any interest in theatrical affairs. It is sufficient for us, at the present moment, to declare our decided conviction that it would be impossible to produce, in any other theatre, an ensemble more perfect than that which we had the gratification of witnessing in the representation last evening of the " Ser. geant's Wife." We should not be justified, however, notwithstanding what we have said, in closing this notice without remarking upon the very great care with which each character was sup• ported. Old Cartouche was admirably brought out by Mr. T. Lyon, who reminded us fore bly of the palmy days of Dowton ; whilst Mr. James Vining exhibited remarkable talent in dealing with the character of Denis. Mr. Johnstone's Gaspar, a very ungrateful part, was nevertheless well sustained ; and the Robin of Mr. Rouse gives additional confirmation to the very high opinion we have already expressed of this gentleman's dramatic talent. It was, ir.deed, perfect; and we feel persuaded that it' Mr. Rouse prosecutes the study of his art with the same care and energy which he has already shown since his introduction to the London boards, he is destined to attain the very highest rank in his profession.  MR.