The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-28


ability of this gentleman desire to avoid nsuting
a comparison between him and foreign actors. We wish
TO speak Of him solely with regard to his own merits
aud far this article concerned to forget that we
have seen Macready in Lear" Butler Kean in
" Hamlet" the elder Vandenhof in Richelieu" or
Anderson in Othello' or Macbeth" We will admit,
for the nonce that there standard OF dramatic ex-
ceence and that different actors may be great in carry
ing out their different epons of the character
We know that Edmund kean Mrs Siddons, and others,
gave different readings OF the passages at different
periods of their ssioual existence Offering
the stamp OF their professional fame and excellence and
therefore, we have no difficulty in imagining that two
Of equal genius may give different readings Of the
same dramatic author Consequently. the fact of MIR
Forrest differing from Mscready or Kean. or vanden
ho Ande rson does not alone involve his professional
inferory those actors In expressing opinion OF
his merits shall be guided by this consideration
Forrest possesses immense physique His muscular de-
veopmens would 1T him for athlete snd he has lungs
OF great power 1t be easily conceived that IN such
parts Sparscus and Damon, his physical conformation
and his strength Of lungs give to mis- acting great power
and feet In the latter character Damon we have never
seen him exceled seldom equaed In Spartacus he has
superior In this line of characters we must say tha
Mr. Forrest is very successful But, with his physical
advantages he has many disadvantages which mar bis
acting OF shaksperian characters and many other
characters requiring besides the absence Of the dsadvan
tages to which allude, refinement and subety OF
genius which we do not think Mr. Forrest possessed o.
udciousy often descending to the lower notes unsea
souably as it, through mere caprice, and to exhibit the
other than conversational tone is out OF place For IN
stance, in King Lear" he renders the words
"An excellent thing in woman"
on the very lowest keyrumbling and ventriloquial-
such is ply sically impossible person OF Lears age
could produce old mans voice being always shri and
piping His tones do not glide into each other with those
musical cadences which absolutely necessary in
declaming the finer passages He must either speak
loud be inaudble to half the house Besides he Of
wells the consonan instead of the vowel sounds
which renders his inonaton Earring AMI discordant u
would utterly impossible for Mr. Forrest to school
how is it possible for one to act tragedy well with
out versatility OF iesturesl Leaving the voice out
of account how can The PASSIONS be expressed eN
cep' by the glance of the eye and the play OF the
features We think that this immohility of the ia
csl muscles is OF The greatest Disadvantages Mr.
Forrest has to contend with His gestures are full OF
manliness vigor and sort of bold energy which is not
without It's effect; but hey almost totally devoid OF
grace Taking these thing into account viii he seen
that if MIR Forrest possesses ysoal advantages oi
ordinary character he has ke~ ply steal disadvshta
yes TO almost counierbalance them Ii take into
sderaon that during great portion Of has career he
play ed TO not discriminating audiences at the minor
theatres the which audiences Womb he satisfied win
nothing but rant and were incapable OF approaching hne
acting the PIT b, t noise generally having control over
the rest OF the house will not ne so much surprised
that Mr. FORESTS taste not tsuless as that II IS SO
pure it is. The evil consequence of his early train
ing still apparent ia portions OF his acting bu
be we'll that this necessary pruning of the exavsgance
OF his defamation be done with Judg men HIS concep
on OF Lear is good aud we would Ike 70 Sc" MN Is
OF Ohello is also good, although is not altogether
carried out. But we never could arrive at any den
mite conclusion to his conception of Hamlet
1t seems to that in striving to be original, he
produces character that Shakespeare would never
recognize his own conception His Fucheleu has
some points Of but the whole tone OF the part
rendered by h:m is Hu'qus for the arsocr c old
Cardinal We have heard some critics object TO his
presenting Rcheleu infrm old man but this is in
conformity with the text In Macbeth he introduces
some original readings-some of which pleased
with and others we look upon as Ill Judged His reading
of Hang out our banners, &c." we scarcely know
whether to praise to condemn He rende it thus
Hang out banners" Ia pause) oA lie oiter walls,
the cry Is still, they come"
We confess that are haf to this reading
which certainly seems specous, TO say least. On the
whole we believe, we have had occasion to remark
before that Mr. FORESTS intellect too pondefous AMI
unwieldy for the finer shades oil Character lie wants
that pancy of voice. that mobility OF feature
and that versatility OF expression without which no man
can be great shakspearian actor He is nevertheless
great parts His Damon cannot be exceled His
Spartacus beautiful and effective piece Of acting and
Me:amora he has rendered peculiarly his own.
PARK THEATRE. The present season has evnced a
very deserving degree of beality the part the
nagers, in engaging the highest dramatic talent in our
country Dan Marble, the Keans, Mrs. Hunt Collins and
Forrest have each appeared the Park boards and this
evening Mrs Mowat and Mr. Davenport will sustain the
characters Of Juliet and Romeo in shsspesre celebrs-
ted tragedy Mrs Mowat is actress who has deser-
ysdly grown in high favor with the puslio and we are
he may have fair opportunity Of displaying that drama
tic genius which he undoubtedly Possesses new can
ddste for American favor also will make his first appear
ance Mr.. Leonard, whose deneations of Irish charac
ter are stated by European critics to be true to the life
He chooses for his debut the character Of Teddy
ORolrke in the Irish Tutor" and confidently pre-
dict his success.
BowkRY THEArRr-MRs. SHAw.-This lady, decidedly
the best Of the American stage after absence
of twelve months appears at this theatre this evening in
the play Of" Love- AS tragic actress she stands alone
unapprosched and unapproachsble There is an exqui
site variety warmth ofeeng and pathos in everything
she does which appeals at 70 the hearts of the au
dence she tw ines herselfas into sympathies
placing judgment at defiance, in admiration of her
excellence. The citizens OF New York need no other
inducement to visit the theatre than the announce
ment of such name, and her engagement will prove
succession of triumphs Mr. jackson will reap rich re-
ward for the he has shown in securing talent
of high order Therein lies the secret Of his great
success
GREENwIcH THEArRE-A series of entertainments are
offered in this evenings bill at this theatre, which We
think must ill to overhowng The taste of the spe
tor who desires the incidents Of melodrams, the
broad burlesque of Ethiopian csroature, may all be
grahed. The grand historical play of"Alexander the
Great the Fall of Babylon" will be Produced with
great splendor and the extravaganza and Jerry
evening but between the pieces, John Diamond,
well known the king OF the dsrkies," will appear in
is convulse his audiences. Miss Emma nce, the
vocalist will also sing some OF her favorite songs during
the course ouhe evening Truly, this is strong bill
and must house somewhat adequate to remune.
rate the manager for his untring exeitons
BowERr Ciscus-The expected appearance of the
two rival champions, Dale and McFsrand, has created
good deal of betting and considerable excitement in
certain circles relative to their powers ofvaung To-
night they contend for the palm Of victory and the sport
will be very interesting. The admirable manner in
which the seats Of this Amphitheatre arranged rem
der the visible to all in the house and apart from
the contest above spoken Of the attractions are Of
high character. Tho performers most thoroughly
drilled in their respective parts while the stud OF horses
is Of the best in the Union Mr.. Brewer the gym
nastic performer, makes his appearance this evening
and from what have heard ms exploits, he will
probably become great favo tie with the public Mrs.
Cullen too, the female equestrian is lady whose
and beauty call out loud app ron every successive
audience.
WALNUT srReKr TaE,rRF, PuiLAprLruiA.-The
Keans concluded very successful engagement al
this theatre Saturday evening This evening tir
Waack late from Eng land, will appear in two Of his
most favoTite characters.
RARcH STREET THEATRE, PHfLApELrafA The gorge
style in which he tragedy Of Richard the Third has
been produc ed has secured for most favorable