The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-04
ADJUSTMENTS.

WALNUT STREET THEATRE-Mucb theatrical
advertising and putting usually leads to a disap.
polntment OF the pubic, but on this occasion ali that
ha- been SAID of the great preparations made for
Hamlet have fallen short of really. Not oniy are
all Inc scenes new, but every detail of furniture and
decoration Is strictly IN accordance with the period
Inc archi ecture selected for the period is the Old
Gothic OF the first period of which we find speci.
mems IN Northern Germany, and especially in Eng.
land bis IS as near as the artist and draatIst can
come to liking date TO "Hamlet" who, however
historically lived before the Christian era and be.
lore even this first heavy style Cf the Afterwards
elaborate ana ornate Gothic existed. But some da'a
had to be TAKEN and the one chosen Is IN accordanca
sufficiently with historical correctness ana is adj
mirably suited TO the atmosphere of the poem.
Inc room In the palace which was usually a room
useg lor state apartment in every age, ancient or
modern, is now large hail supported by coiumns
with archway., and with an Infinite space leading
enclosed, all IN The same charace ter of sombre mas.
sve grandeur. The Queens Oratory with its tanes.
Gothic maapceSca cTpiete Thp ,r specimen OF the old
same style. The scene on the ramparts with the
castle and city in the distance, seen in the moon
nRht, is admirably conceived, helping with
the material world, the shadowy apparition of the
supernatural 1t impossible to find fault with the
grand and effective Not theatricaliy elective b1t
artisucaY for there is neither tlnsel nor blue or
re reg lRhts, nor meretricious ornament-all consists
In ne great art of the pointer in his fine perspective
IN his study Of this period in the true and artsttc
GooIing. The manner IN which this play is put on
OF the dramatic art applied is to the finest most
perlect, and most poeticaI Hamlet" of the day We
SaJ OI MI bOOtnS "damotV 1t IL
what 1t was betore-profoundly studied admirably
read, given with nature truth, and passion but
utterly without rant. MIR. Booths costumes are ali
innovations, correct and full OF character the onv
oetect OF one OF them being the long skirt which "a
NOT graceful and which gives the whole costume re.
semblance to Catholic priest. But Mr.. Booth look
the hamlet' of our dreams-such "Hamlet"a a
our imagination has evoked while dwelling on the
poetry OF this mary ellous creation Mr.. Tay or's
Ghost was impressive and grand. In the prepa
rations the Ghosts" drapery must have been over
looked; 1t was too short, and wlthal torn Madame
Celestes grey gauze drepery is much more
thadoWy than the blue usually employed. The
costumes were all fine and full OF character
the men'at'arms all soldiery and solid.
tul OF force and power, as "Laertes" went forward
lew centuries in hls velvet costume Mr. Grifith's
fo onius' was judicousy subdued vet sufficiently
humorous HIS costume, though admirable in form
was incorrect IN the tinsel ernamens-they were out
OF keeping, and gave him the appearance of a
wizard: Inc Queen" is the best part Miss Graham
plays, for requires only staeliness aud dignity
She looks 1t admirably. though OF course too yoIno
hut "Qu en- Gertrude must have been a handsome
woman 10 have inspired so much mischief we
regret 10 sOeak OF Miss Gelmon's "Ophelia " We
have seen her pay pathetic, simple parts charm.
ngly, but she has not q correct conception of
fOpheha" Her costume, too, is modern and with
our eharacter MI chester played the King with
pood effect and with great luxury OF Costume chang
ing az almost every act. The ladies of The court
should have some counsel gwen them with regard
TO their costumes; they mar the picture uttrly and
that no such curiosity should occur is essen ial in
the object attained by this grand chOracerst and
artistic getung.up of Hamlet the house was
crowded 20 excess, and all the intellect of the cty
was there 10 judge TO enjoy tins finest artistic
treat we have had TOR years