The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-19


willing to believe all the pu continually placed before them
the play bills and in the columns of daily papers,
and oblige, Yours. ".
MIR. MACREADY's oTHELLO.
In puff parlance, g a very large and fashionable
audience assembled at the st. Charles Theatre on
Wednesday evening last, to witness the eminent
tragedian in the arduous character of Othello"
1t was really a treat to observer, to study the
faces of the crowd gathered around the ticketofce
and filling the stairway leading into the boxes.
With what anxiety did they gaze towards the
ticket-seller, waiting their chance! With what
malignity did they regard any one who was enter
prising enough to push aside his neighbor and win
his way to the treasurer. With what agony of
suspense did they measure at glance the dimin-
shing crowd in advance of them and the augment
ing mass in their rear! Watches were fearfully
gazed at, their owners fearing they might lose tho
opportunity of seeing the eminent tragedan's first
entrance. How many furtive glances were sent
up the stairway, imagination cheated their ears
with the last few bars of the overture, and rang
the little bell which magically sends the curtain
up among the rafters. What haggard eyes peered
upon 6 the gentlemany treasurer ~ What tIemu-
lous voices accompanied tlIvIu demanding four,
six, t~o,'' I" one,'' in tones which betokened
their doubts as to 8" the eentlemanly tressurer's'
joyous sight to one who rejoices in the happiness
of his fellow creatures observe the transition of
their features as they drew forth their hands and
found they actually had tickets in them How
cheerfully and with what pleased alaerity did they
toll their weary way up the Alps (beg the Manager
or the Architects pardon, meant to say sairs) on
their way to their seats and Notwithstanding the
labor of the journey, with what goatke agility
did they hop-skip and Jump from the back of ono
chair to another, not getting fastened between or
falling over them oftener than half dozen times
before arriving at the right one. After few bel
lgerent looks, arising from liberties taken with
corns crowns of hats, etc., general cheerfulness
blended with them, the intensest anxiety overspread
| the hydra-faced public.
great Intellectual banquet about to be
spread before them, at least the play-bils told
| them, so had great portion of the press In this
| country, and indeed some of the leading journals
| of England have told them for years. Yes,
journals-puff- proof journals-not to be bribed by
all Californas gold, and free from doubt as that
| an "eminent tragedian" would engage a clever
writer by the year to prepare favorable criticisms
| on his performances 1t is true, many of the
English public prints of high repute have as stren-
| uousy declared against his claims to greatness.
| But what of that! Perhaps they were not dining
| acquaintance of the "eminent tragedian," and
| that would readily account for the milk, ETC.,
for it is an indspuable fact that good dinner and
| good wine has been known greatly to enhance the
merits of the host But this is DEPRESSING, and we
| have only 10 do with the performance Of Othetto
| The intention of this article is chiefly to review
| Mr. Macready's performance, without reference to
| the other characters more than the subject will
render necessary.
When Othello is first introduced to the audience,
he is supposed to have been conversing with ldgo
previous to their entrance, and when Iago speaks,
| it should together with Ohello's manner, convey
to the spectator the idea that they continuing
dialogue Did Mr.. M. effect this or did he remind
one of drill-sergeant, with file of men behind
| him. marching to a certain spot, and then turning
| as if to cry haiti"
| Shakespeare has written single line without
meaning and Othello's reply to Lago who declaring
Sometimes to do me service: nine ten times
had thought to have yeked him here under the ribs
has very significant meaning, and it may be said.
without fear of contradiction, that the meaning of
| the reply,
TITS better it is"
| is an approval of lagos conduct in not having
| yerked him under the ribs. Did Mr.. M. give any
meaning to the line If he did, the writer of this
and he can see yet without spectacles and has good
hearing.
The remainder of this scene was given with no
particular effect, save that it savored much Of the
actors peculiarities angular, unpleasant, and full
| of mannerism. His exit with Brabantio on their
way to the Senate, was still marked with man
ner which belongs entirely to the man, and if it
| had meaning, it was so subtle that one look
ing at it could explain it. Those who witnessed it,
will remember that he got as far as the sidescene-
| paused looked around, and without any marked
intention offered Cassie his hand, and led him off
| as if he intended to perform a minuet with his
| Lieutenant.
Had Mr. NJ in this exit, by action, called Cassie
| to him. and walked away with him in earnest con-
versation, the audience might have understood that
| OhelLo was surprised TO hear, and DESTROYS of
knowing why the Senate in session in the night
In the Senate scene, those who sat upon the right
| hand side of the theatre might have seen the Duke
and Senators, but to those on the left, that august
body might well have been entirely off the stage.
This was attributable to Mr.. NJ. g artistic skill for
which he is so renowned
| The celebrated defence before the Senate seemed
rather to be addressed to Desdemona than the
| Duke and Senators. 1t feminine and out of
| keeping with the tone and manner of soldier
"little blessed with the set-phrase of peace"
| His meeting with Desdemona on his return to
Cyprus, repete with Macreadyism, and I'M
like soldier; and his joy on seeing her before
| him, was delivered in tones and manner which can
only be expressed by the word mby-pamby-ism.
The second scene of the second act, where
Othelo advices Cassie not to outsport discretion
was rendered sensiby, soldierke, and unaffected
and the words, Michael good night, !" were uttered
so much like superior officer and friend, that it
caused the close observer to wonder that the same
actor could be guilty of such affectation as he
almost continually INDUCES in.
Much has been said and written upon the SUBJ
iect of Mr.. Is chastity Of actng-his avoidance Of