New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-10-29
American Actors in Europe.

1T always gives us pleasure to record the success
of American artists abroad but more especially i
il gratifying when our oft expressed opinions fine
| a full endorsement from the press of Europe. Mr.
Neahe, of whose artistic representations we have
had occasion in times past to speak in terms o.
commentator, was, at last accounts performing al
the Royal Amphitheater The Liverpool Mercury
OF the I'd inst, thus speaks of his first appearance
DEBUT OF AN AMERICAN AcroR.-Last night, al
the Amphitheater, Mr.. Neafe for the first time cha
ienged an English yerdctin the character of Ham.
tet. On the whole, and making allowance for GER
lam pecutiartes which would be less noticed in the
sister isle or in the United States his acting ustf
ned the confidence displayed in choosing for first
appearance, that character the personation OF
which English play goers, and Lancashire ones in
particular, most fastidonsy critcise. Mr.. Neafe
possesses those natural qualities which are essen.
tia to the part, voice and physique which are per.
maps more missed il wanting than marked if pres
ent; and he has evidently studied the character
more than some who venture to appear in it, and
SO is able to invest his own representation of it with
some originality of Interpretation.
~ the colloquial parts of the play-those in
which conversation easily descends into mere
reeitation-he speaks continuously, with natural
elocuton and sustained animation; and there is
no lack OF energy and power in his defamation
Mr.. Neafe, as a man, an elocutionist and an
actor, combines all that is required iii an almost
perfect Hamlet; and the pecuarties ot bis play.
ing are Just those which would be expected In an
American actor of Irish extraction. In the latter
respect his voice betrays him: in the former his
action and occasional rapidity of utterance In
some OF the scenes his activity and agility do not
accord with the mystery in which Hamlet shrouds
himself, with the dignity of ROYALTY or with the
secret purpose of revenge which is the spring Of
his actions. There is little of Yankee goa.
headitiveness aud ostentation in passages renuir.
ing, TO our mind, grayer rendering. During the
play, ms nervous restlessness to watch the COM
f1ff ftt,tfr u FAN
consistent with that secrecy of design which seeks
conceaiment until the purpose is discovered or re-
yealed.
Combining the fastness of the American character
WIN the force Of the Irish, Mr. Neafe does more
than he need in loud defamation rms the risk
OF being charged with tearing passion I'd tatters.
but he will escape the charge if he will a6opt a
little more of the moderation and temperance
winch Hamlet recommends. Mr.. Neafie can afford
10 act upon that advice which is more than can ba
sald Ior some who fall into similar error. As in
.heatrlcals comparisons are unavoidable we NAV
pc allowed eandidy to say that we will not fiatter
Mr.. Neate by pronouncing him equal to the first |
halnlets OF the English stage; but, with the same
honesty, We must say that he has, despite the |
peeuliarities we have noticed, justified his title to
. second position. He was twice called before the |
curtain, and he was often loudly applauded. MI |
Neahess engagement extends over the present |
week.
In this connection the New York Sunday Times
las the following.
NEAFIE IN ENGLAND.-Mr. Neafie has addef an I
ther to the list of American actors who have
chieved decided and dattering success on The
ther side Of the Atlantic. At Liverpool be has
lade highly favorable impression iii Hamlet, and
his Damon the Daily Post OF Oct H. in its notiee
the Royal Amphitheater says:
Mr. Neatie appeared last night as Damon in
DOR Banim's play of Damon and Pythias - and
showed thai, 10 parts requiring force and pas
On, ne need not shrink from comparison with any
otemporary actor. He dressed and looked the
art to perfection, and from the beginning to the
nd sunk the individual in the character. He had
very bad cold, but there was lofty grandeur
pout nls conception that refused to be MARRIED by
oarseness His was the best Damon We have seen
the stage, and, in our estimation, it was much
1perior to Mr.. Forrests.p d