New-York tribune., 1868-04-07
TIE DRAMA.
OLIVER TWIST AT rwALLAcK's.


The rough and repulsive me0 drama os
"oliver Twist" again brought out last evening I.
Wsllacks Theater, and again received with enfhu
slastlc plaudlts by large audience. The piece hods
somewhat exceptional position In popular and critical
favor This. doubtless Is due tue fact that JamesW
Walack plays fdgin, and Edwin l.. Davenport play.
Blu Sykes Both these presentations admirable stage
portraits OF different phases OF vaiDy. In fact tLex
are unique performances Merely to the eye. Mr. Daycn
ports Sykes is a marvel OF graphic accuracy But m.
fidelity OF the artist does not stop at extsrnaI,
He Is equally true TO the pn OF the part and the Coz.
sstency Of his personation without flaw To deset
the performance In detail would be- at this late day
superuous labor But there is touch Of nature In a
which may fifty be mentioned here, conspcuously "A
veang the actors fine intellectually and oorrespondo
delcacy offeeus 1t occurs In the scene Of sykess ~
c0very from the fever induced by hs wounds reoavsS
when attempting tue burglary. Sykes is reproachIn,
Fdgfa for neglect and eating voracousy while he ta
Nancy comes 10 his side and kneels there 81 shoun
have died." the rufian says. "but for this siu.
And as he speaks. in indescrfbabiy unconse,ou.
manner, as his arm were obeyns ..
blind impulse OF affection hidden deep in his doaeed M,
ure he presses her head against his breast striving Al
the same time, and with the hand to cary bread
TO his mouth Obstruced this latter action the hum,s
brute suddenly becomes conscious Of his human weak
hess, resents It, and rudely tbrusls the girl away
little thing perhaps, but represe natye OF that subtle
tue spirit OF ROOu dctlng, and
one OF many kindred beauties n remarkably truthful
and powerful embodiment. Mr.. Dayepport's Sykes will
live In memory master work Of Hogarthan art true
as truth In it's analysis Of horrible phase OF human
ture ana intensely effective upon the stage. In derent
line OF study Mr. Waack's Fdgin is also master work
Readers Of Dickens know what Shiny old wretch Tagis
Is. fearful embodiment OF wckedness is seen In Mr.
Wallack's performance. Possibly his Yooin IA mora
massive more melo-dramatic, more intensely thrilling
nd IL nj a
important consideration 10 the critical student whs
will recognize In the presence OF this portrsiture
sardopic humor, heartless cruelty. low cunning, the
hdeous degradation Of q burnt-out sensuast. ayancs
ncarnate aud shuddering superstition-a compound In
deed, OF all vile qualities skully blended into conyra
GUS and possible. but exceedingly revolving character
Mr. waacks acting is perhaps, most deeply felt the
final scebe-depcting Fasns last hour in the condemned
cell A low nature oppressed with remOrse and terror
and utterly unstrung in the presence OK death herein
delineated expressing its mood by sObs ye and
frantic prayers The delrium OF desperation surely
never better interpreted than IL is by Mr.. wallacks
Fag when be sezes the iron prison that shut
against him. and shakes them and howls and raves In
Wild heartbreaklng agony-a last farewell TO hts nna
faint hope OF pardon and Such acting this nstu
rally enough commands the public sympathy Thedefect
OF the performance is tendency TO toexaggeraon-ths
result possibly, Of effort TO overcome certain mental
asstude concerning it, that years of repetition 10
SUPPOSED To have engendered The artist often oyerdoes
his work in striving TO keep up 70 the hghwaer mark
Of original excellence and established fame. All bem-
ishes aside though Mr.. wallacks Fa0n Is wonderful
piece OF acting nor win IL be marvel wallscks The
ater is nightly crowded during the run Of this piece
frightlu though 1t be- For 1t Is impossible TO admire
"Oliyer Twist" The commonplace and the brutal mix
in 1t aud make q sickenng medley The lesson taught
land Oliver Twist" is play that.ams constantly at
the inculcation OF moral lessons, is, after ALL veJ
trite that crime is often the offspring OF poverty;
that the world full OF wretchedness and that those
whs help 10 regenerate society, by shielding tho
young and uplifting the fallen ought TO do their good
work steadfastly aud with eyerwatchful kindness But
true art can touch fine issues the ritest Of themes
and great deal OF true art went TO the acting OF ths
rama night Other performers besides those men
toned contributed TO this result. There was muchb
admire in Miss Eytnges performance OF Nancy She did
not indeed personally reproduce the brokendown. gin
drinking, London drab; neither did she make tho rem
nsnt OF womanly goodness in Nancy -! Tho
something immortal" that "still survives"
- seem sufficiently real, or give ali
It's pathos But Miss Eytnge, particularly In the nrse
part performance. displayed vigor that was both
unusual and effective and in the whole portrayal OF
Naneys demeanor toward BIZ Sykes, eyinced tender
and touching sentiment that bespoke careful study aud
Just perception Of the nature and relations of both char
aoters AS Miss Eytnge almost entirely unsuited fer
comedy we have seldom had occasion 70 admire her ao
ing; but III melodrama she finds congenal field, and
makes o very advantageous appearance The ~
preciatlve spectator of this representation, lsst
night. also delighted in Mr.. Hollands Bundle. and
Mrs seftons Mrs Oorey, MT Young's Artd Dodger and
Mr.. wiliamson's 5r Fang, the pugnacous magistrate
These performances supplied the light OF humor 70 q
piece that is otherwise somber and melancholy. no
tceaby accurate and vital sketch Mt O. +. Brownies
Mr. Brownlop. It that any piece is so well dons,
in every particular, "oyer Twist" last night
Waack's Theater 1t is still that poor PLAY,
and OF low school, is redeemed by such remarkable
acting "Olyer Twist" viii be played every night this
week There will be a " Rosedsle Matinee on Saturday
Tomorrow wednesday, evening. Mr.. Lester waack VIII
play at the Brooklyn Academy OF Music.