FRENCH PLAYS.
L'IlEnIE has departed, and his place is supplied by MONROSE, a comedian of the Searamouch order, all grimace and gesticulation, with talent besides in personation and genuine humour. His incessant vivacity would fatigue but for these more sterling qualities. He ap- peared on Monday as Figaro in BEAUMARCHAIS' comedy; and on Wednesday he played Gros Rene in Le Dipit Amoureux, and Cris:pin in Le Leyataire Universe!. His Figaro we did not see, but it is a character exactly suited to his restless animation and pantomimic dexterity. His performance of Gros Rene was not superior to that of his predecessor in this part (whose name we do not remember); but in Crispin his talents weresdeveloped to advantage. Crispin, to serve the heir of an old decrepit miser, who has taken it into his head to marry a young girl whom the heir is attached to, personates a pre- tended nephew and niece of the old man, to try and divert him from his purpose, and induce him to make his will as the heir desires. The notary is sent for, but in the mean time the old fellow dies, as is supposed: and Crispin now personates him, and gives instructions for the will—leaving himself a handsome sum, of course. The miser, who had only swooned, revives ; and the notary coming in with the will, be is made to believe by the assurance of all parties that it is his dicta- tion. In the sequel, the miser abandons the idea of marrying, and the heir gets the property and the lady. The personations of MONROSE were as perfect as those of MA- THEWS. Ile dresses, too, capitally. Mademoiselle THIERRET as the housekeeper, and M. COSSARD as the old miser, also acted cleverly. Last night, MoisEnE's comedy Les Fourberies de Scapin was per- formed, with a very effective cast ; Nice-moss of course personating Scopin. MOLIERE, one would think, must have had an actor like IlloanosE in his eye when he drew the character, so well suited is it to his peculiar powers. Quickness, address, sarcastic humour, and a restless love of intrigue and practical jesting, are the characteristics of this moral swindler—this juggler with the weak points of human nature. MoNuosE's power of face is prodigious, and his animation tingles at his fingers-ends. He infuses life and spirit into the whole performance. The Organte of M. DROUVILLE and the Geronte of COSSARD were admirable also. Indeed, the comedy was alto- genes well represented. Previous to the comedy, MosatosE played M. de Vertpre in Le Mari de la Veuve, with quiet humour, point, and tact. In this character he showed that he could give repose to his acting where it was required. He has the bicadth, force, and off-hand manner of YATES, with more refinement and variety of resources. The Madame de Vertpre of Mademoiselle CLAIRVAL was very clever and full of esprit. The inimitable JENNY VERTPRE appeared as a girl of eighteen and an old woman of sixty-eight, in La Flute de Cagliostro ; and looked both characters to the life. If any thing, the Grandmother was rather young; but then, be it remembered, in the piece it is a girl who as- sumes the disguise: a.s the young lady, she might have passed for four-
teen. The plot of this piece is very pleasant. Eleonore de Merville,
a sprightly girl, resolves to put her powers of fascination to the test by personating her grandmother, and winning the heart of her lover and cousin Reginald, in this disguise. She succeeds in setting up a formidable rival to her young self; for her cousin is so enamoured of his aunt, that he is hardly reconciled until he finds both the young and old charmer united in her. M. ROBERT is a very well-looking and ardent lover.
The house was well attended. Performances such as these cannot fail to attract the public. JENNY VERTPRE is the VESTRIS of the French stage; and her company is now almost of the strength of that of the Olympic, and selected with equal judgment.
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