New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-01
s,~oadWrY 'ahentCr.

Nh Charles Eean appeared lat week In loul
kdif rent characters oof which among the mcs
mpo ,nt ~ those be has chosen Tor representation II
Amc,i,-. III. performance have been witnessed by
bnlec audiences and received With liberal favor. IN
Fr0pu1r sense his success has been complete. and q
some extcl' TIE critical estimate II his acting accord
with tie popular view. Ii we are 10 recognize at al
The school Of dramatic MT which Mr Kein represents
We inuss certainly recognize him II t On
ifhoi cxronc1ts. Granting that the III portrayal q
human cIlras'og can Doe accomplished by elaborate and
gcuious artUcc that theatrical dclinoltioB rcgHre'
warmth Of impulse spontaneous feeling that
measured md deliberate methods Of expires
-i)n. thougLtiuly adopted and iryioably nd
jherel %, are sufficient 20 fulh The
deals Of dramatic illustroton-then Nj. Kean may be
said to stand unryaled in his vocation. Bat II &c
COX az many fus ere accustomed TO do for evidences
~ earnest, NATURAL sympathy with the supposed passions
ri TIE mimic scene find ia him Little 10 reward our
scrutiny ltcppears tohayc become necessary now.a-
days. IN order TO vu the vortlitt theatrical dsiuc.
ton. to abandon that implicit faith in the mere trick
and business of the stage which once prevailed Simple
and genuine sens hty goes further toward securing
success than tie most dexterous training Well con.
cci,od and wen applied devices Of voice, gesture GEAR.
ing end seton have Of their value, but they
proyerly only 10 an end. They have 10
better purpose than that OF giving accessory effect TO
ihc broad sen,-u scope andsprit OF .personaou. Mr.
Keau however. usCS them as his only means
o. conqucrlg the applause Of audiences. JIG tIl,s 20
not ing but bis deXcrously coltiiyel attitudes, iutona
lions and movements 20 convey his interpretations .of
character Uc appears always to Lave cooly cacg.
lated the probable expression Of whatever emotion he
may be called upon. to exhibit TO have thoroughly
planned The physical and vocal details which the emer
gcncy demands, aud having orce aniyed AZ jgdclous
conclusion, to have bound himself thereto formally
and iucyoCably TLeTo are plenty who defend
this system. and insist that II ID uuwise for al
ati to permit himself 10 be- swaycd by natural Impulse
upon the STAGE. 10 mind. however. single little
touch OF Nature outyalucs tie incest subtetes that
artificial preparation can supply. The effect of MI
Kcen's elaborate training is ID mike him at all times
cold rigid and mechanical. Even those who are blinded
by the admirable perfection 20 which he has brought bis
vste are sute to speedily, discover that there is no
depth of feeling in his presentations. Nj. Edwin For
rest himself though far less artistic is not more snper
fetal Mr. Forests defiance of Nature we Judge to be
no Quence OF his having very accurate under
STANDING OF what Nature is Mr.. keans appears matter
OF established principle
We believe that Lonis tie Eleventh is alntcd TO be
Mr.. K,ans finest character. There is no den! ing is
marvellous accuracy and skill. il seems as perfect pie
mrc Of the crafty and rlonctc monarca nature as It
j. Of his personal aspect But Il is worth while TO re-.
member that tie character is made up Of just those
qualities which may be represented by the most super
fetal means There is not the nnation of deep and
earnest feeling fIom beginning TO end Tie strongest
sentiment IS a vulgar physical fear of Death
All tie adrolt effects that Mr.. Kcan appears best
capable of are available in Louis XI." Ii we
are not mistaken the part specially translated 70.
him ly that o.eyorcst Of adaIiors and theatrical FIT
tcrs" Mr.. Houccault AT all events il SO admirably
suited to Mr.. Keaus peculiar powers that We not
surprised at the reputation he has everywhere gained
with it, His perpetual want OF spontaneity is far less
apparent here than in Wosey in Shyock The entire
performance is mosaic OF WHICH tie PARTICLES