The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-25
Thoatricals.

the scenic import of is more familiar to us, we can
give special attention to the different performers
The part which Mr. Kesn has is of extreme difficult
ty for there difficulty in the very nature of it, indie.
pendent of art and which scarcely any art wholly
overcome The difficulty s this: cannot sympathize
with any thing John he too mean for indignation: he
is despcsble Tor pity: cannot hold commun
ion with him the actor suffers in the and he suffers
the too the consummate his acting. Now, 1t
is highest praise to Mr. Kean, an artist, that he
brings out the full and cruelty of Johns naturei
that he SO Identifies himself all through with the bastard
and cruel monarch that we almost forget the fegned
mpersonaon and lose ourselves in the historic reality
Shakespeare has always touch OF tenderness
in the worst being whom he pourtrays some gentle
chord however SLENDER to hold TO them in our COM
mon humanity !; and, in a wretch 80 base
40 John he will not allow to forget that we
are of a kindred nature. This he shows us
in the attachment of Faulconbridge, and through
the solemnity Of death, which elevates the lowest
which brings down the highest which renders all
in It's hour equal, and which for little their
vices from view by the gathering shadows OF eerni
y The moral interest of this tru th as shown in the
death Of John, is given by Mr. Kean h the force Of
most affecting reality. But the distinction we have
stated ought think be appreheHded in any crit.
cism OF actor in this character and the distinction has
general worth besides which do not remember to
have noticed In characters deeply and pur. ly
tragic the actors difficulty is at end when he has
mastered the conception, and faithfully embodies it,
This to be requires genius and studous toll added
to genius but his labor is Immediately rewarded by the
Spontaneous enthusiasm OF the audience And it signifies
not, how terrible the crime, how stern the guilt how
appalling the misery, how malignant the spirit If the
tragic dement, ia intense enough in the character the
actor that truly awful the aspects OF nature
are, which he sets before his audience aRtates them
with emotions, and fills them with sympathy that
gives them the highest pleasure. The tragic element
has only in these characters the submity OF fear
full strength, but 1t has always likewise, associations
that relieve it. Thus the wickedness OF Richard mas
redemption in the might of his courage and his
wi the treachey and crime OF Macbeth in the wilder
Dgs Of his superstition and the agopes OF his remorse
the despair OF Ohelo in the depth OF his ahecons the
staless misery of Lear has majesty IN
the very darkness OF its mdnigh and the malignant
vindictveness Of Shylock is mgated by the goadng
provocsons he has endured, and there 10 CLEAN OF
pful sadness thrown HIM by the feseron and in
gratitude of his daughter But none of these things be-
long to John whose character, have said before,
is tnat OF baseness which nothing can ennoble Shi
the play, as whole, is fine and the character Of
and truth such passion and such Pah0s, which goes to
the heart of all that be moved BY nature is that
throbs with the prooundest tragic filings and surround
ed by the most tragic situations.
The hardy burly, reckless good natured jevial sol
MIR vsndenhof and the hearty manner in which the
dience receive his mpeIsonaon, shows that he gives
them the generous careless honest merry fellow with.
out elevated sentiment moral refinement, which the
author intended, and which they would like II he came
before them in reality. some more, however, Of the &C.
neral rudeness Of the age and the buoyant hi
larity Of the character would add value to the part
Mr. Dyott merits sincere commentator for the faithful
with whichhe places before the wropged and gem
tie Hubert and 10 give appropriate praise to Miss Denny
in Prince Arthur, We should have assistance from the
fairies and the gIaces Nor should we in speaking of
play-whch in every part and by every performer SO
well sustained-Omit TO mention the valuable contribu
ton which Mrs Abbott in Queen Elinor gives to the
general excellence
We will venture one general remark in closing, and
that is the little favor that Shakespeare shows to Kings
age in which he lved the most per-
haps that England ever Elizabeth was not only
OF determined an,, but OF despotS Will sns was
submission to her office But though Shakespeare does
offer passing compliment TO her person, he nowhere
teaches such SUBMISSION to her Office does he
encircle with the attribute to which such submission
should be given He paints her father pretty much the
the poet does nothing certainly 20 mitigate the hatred
OF history James the First made as high Claims as
Elizabeth but he did not sustain them by as high &C.
MUS and if the ndomitable force of the regal virago
did not change the spirit of Natures bard the whining
puerity OF efeminate pedant not likely to do
democrat, neither monsrchist republican. He
the great interpreter of life to mankind Kngship has
kngship was in the facts Of the worlds experience he
saw it, and he drew it.
The manner in which this play has been brought out,
has added refinement and dignity to stage represen
taton which it has had In this country before
and Mr. Kean by whose talent and exertion it has been
DONE has elevated the drama in America and the theatre
in which this play has been produced. All should 60
to see it not as mere temporary sight, but for perma
nent and deeplad Impressions, to be forgotten
the young should 20 to see it for instruction and the ma
ture for reflection those who learning history for
assistance and those who have studied history for nsp
ration II il an opportunity which, lost now can never
recur, and can never be recovered.
BowERr THEArRE.-" Mazeppa" was produced at this
theatre, last evening" with admirable effect The magni
fcent displayed the OCCASION together with
the entire performance, gave infinite satisfaction to the
vast audience that crowded every part house. Mr.
De Bar, as the principal performer-Mazeppa-
himself in highly creditahle manner Hadaway, as
Drolnska, kept the house in continued laughter as
he never fails to do by his personation Of the comic
pieces which usually assigned to him. Mr. Clark
Vachs's Rudzog was well sustained. The Misses VAL
lee danced German waltz after the play The legen-
Diary drama Of Nick of the Woods" followed, and the
burlesque opera of Beauty and the Beast" wound up
the performances. The bill for this evening will be
found highly attractive and during the week Old
Bowery" will fully sustain that nigh and deserved repu
taton which has acquired and which has gained
deserved popularity amongst its numerous patrons
Mr. Jackson, the snterprising manager has again en-
gagged the services of some of leading theatrical
stars" which will be seen on reference to the bills
Of the day. Tonight will be perfect jam
SUICIDE OF HERR ALExANpER.-Much excitement
created yesterday from report of many who had
attended the exhibition Of the German wizard at the
Alhsmra the evening previous, that he had at the
closing of the performances, passed sword through
his body driven frantic probably, by the applause he
had received in the Of the evening. was only
another Of his wonderful receptions, however the
sword pressed against his breast and the point
coming out OF his back but the Magician remains
unframed, and we advise all who fona Of the
ing and astonishing to visit the Alhamra this evening
and many fests performed quite wonderful the
above His creation of the Of gold fish is very
bssutiful and extraordinary delusion.
BowERy AMrHrHEArRE.-Ths popular place of
amusement continues draw nightly full and crowded
houses Madame Camille Gardner, in her great eques
trisn feat last evening, cloudy and enthusiast
caLy applauded She maya be deemed a sort of rival
of the distinguished Mr.. North-who has again been
engaged fer this Circus Mr. Kemp, in his performance
Of" La Franco Hspanioa ELECTED bursts of applause.
MIR kerps extraordinary tests have frequently called
forth the Mandatory remarks OF every spectator that it
would be almost superhGous TO notice them His barrel
feat alone stamps his reputation one Of the most
tonshng performers in his line at present connected
with the Circus Tonight, and on Thanksgiving day,
the attractions will draw immense crowds and those who
intend enjoy the amusements should 20 early and
cure place.
RAYMOND WARIrG's MsNAeERIE.-The time that
this establishment will remain the city drawing TO