of doors the traditions and formal mannerisms of the schools, and going back to nature and truth for their inspiration…. There were very artificial methods, no doubt, among the old actors, but there was also a very consummate knowledge of the art, a great deal of breadth, force and skill, and a finished training, which the new schools do not exhibit. In aiming to be natural, some of our actors seem to have concluded that their profession is not an art. They grow heedless in the delivery of language, weakening or obscuring its meaning, and missing its significance; and in some way lose that rich and mellow colouring that characterized the bygone performers. So marked is this, that some of the old dramatic characters are abandoned altogether, because in the hands of the Realists they fade away into ineffective and colourless forms. The Sir Peter Teazles and Sir Anthony Absolutes of the old comedy require indispensably the resources of the old art, and no thin, water-gruel realism, so-called, can personate them. In avoiding the declamatory Kembletonianism of the old school, our actors are right enough; but they cannot safely disregard the skill which sharpens and chisels, as it were, the sentences; nor forego the care, study, precision and stern adherence to rules of art, that marked the old stage."

Steeped in such belief, it is small wonder that two of Bunce's plays had characteristics in them to suit a member of the Wallack family. And being such a lover of old English Comedy accounts for some of the spirit of "Love in '76."

His plea, sound in its fundamental championing of the best that has been on our stage, might well be heeded at this time (1920). It is a strong valuation of tradition—the jade who is looked at askance by the amateur players of the "little theatres," and too exacting for the average player on the professional stage.

Bunce was a New Yorker, born in that city, February 8, 1828, and dying there on May 15, 1890.

LAURA KEENE'S NEW THEATRE,

624 BROADWAY. NEAR HOUSTON STREET.

MISS LAURA KEENE SOLE LESSEE AND DIRECTRESS MR. THOMAS BAKER MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Change of Time. Doors open at half past Six. The performance will commence with the Overture at a quarter past Seven.

* * * * *

BENEFIT OF THE SHIRT-SEWERS' UNION

Sixth time of the Dramatic Poem, in three acts, entitled

FAUST AND MARGUERITE

The Drama having been misapprehended by one or two critics, it is respectfully stated that the translation has not been made by a resident dramatist, as inferred, but by the celebrated European scholar and linguist, Jonathan Birch, whose translation has been recognized by Frederick William, of Prussia, as the best rendition of the original of Goethe's Faust ever given in English to the public.

The play has been taken bodily from this translation, published by Black & Armstrong, London, and F.A. Brockhaus, Leipsig, without any alteration other than is necessary to bring it within the bounds of an evening's performance. To produce the poem as written by Goethe, would require at least three nights in performance. By reference to the edition mentioned, it will be seen that there has been no deviation from the original, except as above specified.

The fall of Marguerite, in the poem, is much more sudden than in the play, and, indeed, the exceptions taken generally to the drama concern the original author, Goethe, rather than the translation. Great care has been taken to produce the play with strict fidelity to the author, following in the architecture, costumes and groupings the celebrated chefs d' oeuvres of REIZSCH, who devoted the best years of his life to illustrate this great work; and it should be added, also, that every note of the music in this piece is from SPOHR.

  Music by Spohr, arranged by Mr. Thomas Baker
  New Scenery by Messrs. Hawthorne and Almay
  New Wardrobe by Mr. Bullock and Assistants
  Machinery by Mr. Smart and Assistants
  Properties and Appointments by Mr. W. Duverna

Under the personal supervision of

MISS LAURA KEENE.

* * * * *

First time of a New American Comedietta, In two acts, by a Citizen of
New York, entitled

LOVE IN '76

* * * * *

SATURDAY EVENING, FEB. 28th, 1857

Will be presented the great Dramatic Poem by Goethe, translated by Jonathan Birch, Esq., and produced for the SIXTH TIME, as now adapted and arranged for this artistic work under the title of

FAUST AND MARGUERITE

DISTRIBUTION OF CHARACTERS:

  Faust, an aged scholar Mr. C. Wheatleigh
  Mephistophilies Mr. George Jordan
  Wagner, a student, friend to Faust Mr. Stoddart
  Valentine, a soldier, brother to Marguerite Mr. Lingham
  Brandor, a soldier, friend to Valentine Mr. Alleyne
  Frosh Mr. Hayes
  Siebel Mr. Reeve
  Fritz Mr. Harcourt
  Students Messers. Carpenter, Jackson, Carter, Kellogg
  Altmayer Mr. McDonall
  Beggar Mr. Beneon
  Marguerite, a young peasant girl Miss Laura Keene
  Martha, her confidante Mrs. H.P. Grattan
  Lizzie { Companions } Miss Alleyne
  Barbara { of Marguerite } Miss Howell
  Witch, creature of Mephistophiles Mrs. Attwood
  Spirits of Good Miss Howell, Miss Wall, Miss Berkowitz,
                                    and Miss Rosa Berkowitz
         Peasantry, Chorus of Demons, etc., etc.,

SCENERY IN THE DRAMA:

ACT I. Scene 1st—Faust's Laboratory By Almy Scene 2nd—Street in Wittenburg By Hawthorne

ACT II. Scene 1st—Pavillion and Garden of Marguerite By Hawthorne

ACT III. Scene 1st—Street and Cathedral in Wittenburg By Howthorne Scene 2nd—Rocky Glen By Hawthorne Scene 3rd—Prison By Almy Scene 4th—Street and Cathedral—Apotheosis of Marguerite By Hawthorne

To conclude for the FIRST TIME with a New American Comedietta, in TWO
ACTS, by a Gentleman of this city, called

LOVE IN '76

  Mr. Elsworth Mr. Stoddart
  Lieutenant Harry Elsworth Mr. Ringgold
  Captain Walter Armstrong Mr. Lingham
  Major Cleveland Mr. Burnett
  Captain Arbald Mr. Benson
  Lieutenant Marvin Mr. Hayes
  Apollo Metcalf Mr. Johnston
  John Mr. Harcourt
  Corporal Mr. Leslie
  Soldiers Messers Jackson and Kellog
  Rose Ellsworth Miss Laura Keene
  Kate Ellsworth Miss Alleyne
  Bridget Miss Howell

A Grand Scenic Drama, called THE SONS OF NIGHT, has been in rehersal and will be produced immediately.