New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-24
HAMLET" AT BURTONS THEATER.

The play of Hamlet, as recently produced by Mr.
Burton should ia the regular course OF events nave
received our attention several days earlier but was
in some way jostled from its proper order, and our
critical commentator lags tardly behind the time.
In the matters of scenery and stage appointments this
tragedy hus received from Mr. Burton al that atten-
ton which ne usually bestOws when the ShaLespcarean
drama demands bis experimenting The spacious
stage affords facilities tor scenic effects Which
never could be attempted within the circum.cribed
limits of smaller theater, and great advantage has
been taken Of this fact. The burden OF the eform-
auce rests of course, upon the Hamlet, Mr.. f. l..
Davenport.
The Hamlet Of SIR. Davenport is ever a prncrly
gentleman and for not single instant do we lose sight
Of this leading Characteristic There is no spice OF
buoonery in the dialogue with POlonlus, there II no
taint of rufiianism in the bitter upbraldngs of his
guilty mother but the one scene IL not deficient IN
point nor does the other lack vigor and earnestness
Even in the love quarrel with Ophela, wherein the
character of the Young Prince appears it, perhaps,
most unamablc phase there is nothing OF coaraeness
The appalition Of his father does not throw Mr..
Davenport Prince of Denmark into spasm Of fright
but Impresses him with all overpowenng awe, which Is
Indicated rather by the eye and the general suppress
SION Of emotion than by any visible and startling
bodily demonstration. In fact, Mr.. Davenport is not
a gyMnastc Hamlet in any sense; studied attitudes
and melo-dramatc pos,urngs evidently find little favor
in his eyes His clocuonary powers are known to be
rema kably fine and his voice has been trained to q
pitch of perfection rarely attained. The solloquy on
suicide and all the passages wherein aluson is made
10 Hamlet unhappy fate. are read with sad and
sorrow ful iptonaton that goes TO the heart.
With the correctness Of his understanding Of the
bax ntIi IN IL. but can
cav that i, is a conception which is certainly exceed
iDgy effective and seemingly very satisfactory to his
audience Whatever errors there may or may not be
in BIZ. idea is highly elaborated, and s presented
with few blemi.he. he has solved the riddle to his
OWL satisfaction and has set himself intelhgently at
work to show to the world its plausibty, if he
cannot mathematcally demonstrate its infallbe accu-
racv. However much critics may possibly differ with
Mr. Davenport as to his full and correct comprehension
Of Hamlet il cannot be denied that it is a carefully
studied. finished, refined and scholarly personation.
The scenic artist of this establishment deserves a
word Of commendation. The two moonlight scenes
and the view of the graveyard well managed, and
are very effective.
In two important instances Mr.. Burton has deviated
verv considerably from the ordinary mode Of doing
things The curious exit ofthe ghost in the second
=
a Shakesperean scholar. II it has been introduced
merely FOR the purpose Of producing novel sensation,
that end has beer certainly accomplished but We SUBJ
nit in al csndor that the semi-comc effect produced
by the gradual disappearance of the ghost behind a
blue mu,keto net il not qua consistent With the tragic
idea. In the other particular in which he has deviaed
from the customary stage business he success
ful, and the improvement is evident. La the great
scene between Hamlet and his mother in place OF the
miniatures ordinarily used full length portraits OF the
queen two husbands introduced, and the picture
o: the frst Hamlet il finally endowed with motion ana
becomes the third visitation of the appanton.
Mr.. Fisher as the Ghost is far too animated oo'n III
voice and gesture TO be in keeping with the chaac'e
M. Parker is very stately and regsi-oohns queen
bu, the pondereus dicon and sepulchral tones Pt Mr.
Ranford would far better become the ghosty monarch
than the living one Mr.. Mark Smith, the Poonus, /,
conyentiopally correct. Messrs Burton and Piacide,
tie grave-dggers are quaint, natural and e-ke. Of
TIE other minor characters II s not necessary TO speak
On the whole, Hamlet now played a, the thester Of
Mr.. Burton. compares very favOraby with the other
Shakerpeare.n revival. heretofore produced under hs
supenn.eadeace.