New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-31
ADIUsE s "a z S1DE
Niblo,s Garden.

The production at this house of Tom Taylor's
Fools Revenge" with Mr. Edwin Booth in tbeleadinS
character has produced greater sensation in theatrical
circles than any other event of tho season. The play
was first performed at the Sailors Wells Theater Lon
don in 1852 The usual discussion took place as to the
question Of Its originality, and tho matter was finally
disposed q hy Mr.. Taylor in the following preface TO
the published edition:
5ERFAcE-This drama Is in no sense TRANSLATION.
and ought not, think In fsincss 10 ha ooJ 80, ~
gdapiaion Of Victor Hugos fne play lie Roi ,hrTsS
~ originated In request Innle to me by one of our
nps, PGps actors Mr. Phesl to turn the lbrctto Of
hsoeNo INTO play. as he wished ~ act tia part
Of me ssese-. un looking at Victor Hugo,s drama
with this object found 80 much in u that seemed toi
me nadmissibe on our stage--so much besides that
was wanting III dramatic motive and cohesion and--I
say II in al humityso much that was defective In that
central secret Of stage effect climax that determined
TO take tho situation of the jester and his daughter ard
to recas IN my own way the incidents in which their
story was invested. The death Of Gacotto Manfredi
Of the hands Of his wife Francesca Bentivcglo is his
torcaL 1t seemed TO me that the atmosphere OF
petty Italian Court OF the fifteenth century was well
suited a medium for presenting the TESTERS wrongs
his rooted purpose of revenge and the miscarriage Of
that purpose should not have thought IL necessary
10 say thus much 1aC not some OF tue newspaper critics
talked Of my work az simple translation Of Victor
Hugo's drama, while others described it, more con.
temptuousy, as mere rtscdncHto Of Verds libretto
Those who will take the trouble to compare my work
play ID neither translation nor rfdcamsnto The mo-
tYcs OF BertUeco the machinery by which his revenge
is diverted from It's intended channel and the action in
the court subsequent to the carrying off of bis daugh
ter, my own, and conceive that these features
give the fullest right to call tho Fools Revenge
nep play, oven If the use OF Victor Hugo's TiboHIt
and Bia.ehs dsentite 1t 10 the epthet "orieinaI"
which is matter Of opinion. . Tom TAYLOR
MIR. Tayors notifications Of the oTiginal-or the two
originals-are undoubtedly improvements, and show
him 10 bo q master Of dramatic effects. The closing
scene especially in which the Fool Jester has his
daughter restored to him, ater her abduction and has
the fearful satisfaction Of seeing the Dako caught in his
own tolls aud sacred 10 the vengeance OF the Duchess
who delanty assumes the responsibility Of his death,
e xclaimng:
Let who will
Question Francesca BeItvogo Of this deed"
presents Of the most thrilling situations known to
the modern drama.
The play is not very strongly cast at Nblos the only
parts which are acted with anything like ability being
that Of the FOOL magni6centy portrayed by Mr. Booth
and that Of the Fools daughter rendered with artistic
grace aud efcc. by Miss Rose Eytngc.
Mr.. Booths finest points are those where he is re-
quirod to alternate by sudden and often violent ransi
tons from the character Of loving and devoted ~
thor TO that OF light and beartless jester. In these
he exhibits degree Of versatility and power. and
mastery over the passions called into play which oil
but justify the verdict Of the public that he Is the greatest
tragic artist living The presented by the house
during his moments Of eKaltation-when his personal
identity seems to be completely absorbed IN that Of the
character he is embodying-is something worth wit
Messing. We can remember nothing more exciting.
even during his splendid impersonaons OF Hamlet aud
Richeeu.
1t was the intention OF the management 10 produce
several other plays before the close OF Mr. Booths en-
gagement but the eagerness 10 see him in The Fools
Revenge being such that hundreds Of persons are
turned from the doors every night. it is doubtful
whether any change Of programme win be advisable
The only suggestion have 10 mako In respect TO
the stage-business Of tho play-which, rs usual at
Niblo. is In the main excelent-is that in the abduo
ton scene the taking OF the Testers daughter down
steep ladder from the balcony Is attended with too
much danger and delay TO be persisted in, and ought
therefore TO be at given up Instead Of adding
interest OF tho situation It detraots from
by diyerting the attention OF the house from the
legitm action Of the piece to for the por
sonal safety OF one Of the leading actresses in 1t
And in respect 10 this question Of personal safey,
We have again 70 remark that If managers will persist
In filing up the aslcs OF their theaters TO mako
prompt egress in ofemergcncy NEXT impossible
we may have to record day OF those fearful
calamte the very thought Of which makes shudder
The authorities ought to take this matter in hand and
pass law prohibiting the filling up the aises oi
thoater under penalty Of having It's license revoked.