New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-16
THE BRAmA.


mr. BOOTH IN "THE FOOLS HRvINGE.v
Mr. Tom Taylor's three-act version of Victor Hu.
go's lie Roi SAmuse' was acted ut the Winter
Garden on Monday, before audience that COM
fortably filled the house. The piece is new to this
stage, though not new TO the habitual yotaTies Of
the theater Its subject has been made familiar by
the opera of "RigolettO" and it itself Produced
nearly three years ago, at Niblos Garden when.
as at present, the character OF Beytucci0 was
personated by Mr.. Booth There Is scarcely
need, therefore, to descant upon the exceedingly
painful and repulsiye nature Of tho drama.
The forcibe abduction of woman by libertine ia
as unpleasant theme as can easily be suggested
and this is the grand incident of THE Fools
Revenge" But the circumstances of this abduction
are so arranged as TO afford tremendous dramatic
situation. father, blindly pursuing vengeance Is
made TO assist at the carrying off of his own daughter
This father is the Fool and this is his revenge He,
of course, subsequently discovers his mistake-and,
when he does So he suffers q revulsion OF feelln8
and shock of agony TO which no words can DO J9s-
tice Mr. Tom Taylor has entirely changed tho cli-
max of the original French play. The superlluman
horrors in which Victor Hugo terminates the Foois
career are wisely Topped off, and the emu ~
made endurable despite an atmosphere OF greas
suffering, Mr. Booth personated Bertacco last even
ing with extraordinary power: The character gives
great scope both TO his imagination ana MS I'D 5rs
whereby he exercises such singular controi
over the. epotions Of bis hearers. IhYs
nj the end of the second act, Wnon,. uueA
the night sky and in the lonely street he calls dow9
nnon his enemy the fortunes that have long rent ana
burned his own bosom, he seems yentable fennIs
horrible incarnation of gleefu wickedneSs ana ln-
sane fury An earlier scene, wherein Berfaeolo COM
munes with his daughter brings out the tenderness OF
his nature and wins strongly upon human sympathy.
% the dcnth Of pathOs is reached in the scene before
the doors Of the banquethall when BSrlaCco pleaus
for admission, 10 save his daughter ne sin,ualo9
of pee through which the frantic grief and terror Oh
the father family gimmered-smitngt hs heSrt Mn
hitter pain-was OH the part OF Mr. BOOTH moss
been demonstrative, burst forth at ms potihhs
into n storm of spontaneous applause. hir booIn.
however can scarcely expect his Ber!acc,o 10
popular 1t is too hideous part In It's exteth ss
and ID Is set in too hideous drama truly 70 pieaiS
either an educated or popular TASTE .ns
reveals his genius. indeed, moro clearly than ms ~
q better character. But it must after ,r S.
take rank with the monstrosities OK art re tn
Fools Revenge" will be again presentssa astiiv
morrow evening 1t has been somewhat. h1netaa
prepared and the scenery employed last nign. ione
dinay In many parts. The miscellaneous acting wsj
in general commonplace. One now face sppeai;oe
on the occasion which we trust TO see aga,m .
Miss Rachel Noah young actress ~
the Boston Theater, played Fiordel'sa the fwg In
Daughter. She is petite and graceful, and plays sr
unusual brightness in the lighter ana smp,vk
scenes. Her sentiment, however, seemed iorooa r
artificial The little part Of GiRsrrd was grsHe ,s
played by Miss Cushing-aiso compaiiaiSs sse ana
who certainly eyinces tasto and study. Romeo sns
Juliet" will be repeated ~ tnlS epoV'os ~"s
NJ. Booth playing Bemee.