New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-30
THE DRAMA.
MIR. HAcKErr AT BOOTHS THEATER.

MR.. HACKETT AT BOOIHS IHEAIEh'
Several of the theatrical managers announced
novelties last night, and promptly as evening set IN
began to rain. Puvius has a way OF making himself OBJ
noxous on those occasions but he did not succeed In
lessening Mr. Hacketts audience, in dampenng their
enthusiasm The temperance Of the veteran actor was
the most important dramatic event OF the evening ana
we are glad say that Dir. Hackett was greeted with
emphatic applause by large company OF persons III
needless to mention that he appeared as FdlSaG. A
GOOD many years have passed since this accom-
plished comedian took any shape but that
The play sometimes varies. Last night
1t was the first part of Henry the Fourth" Shake
speares Imagination, 1t seems trite TO say took com
pee hold upon every historic period which his genius has
Illustrated. His Henry the Fourth, like all his hstor
cal dramas makes distant age live again, aud peoples
it with characters OF flesh and blood How meager the
materials are upon which he built this noble edhce-hi
torcal fact Illuminated by the radiant light OF poetrys
known to every student Even in our day couple OF
pages In Hume TO tell the historical reader the
whole story Of the famous battle OF Shrewsbury In which
the gallant Hopr and more than2OOO gentlemen beside
persisted the CHASTITY shock and miserable glory OF war
Shakespeare, as every knows, followed old and
clumsy DRAMA The Famous Victories of Henry W with
such hints he could derive from the Chronicles OF
Hoinshed-together but a bold, imperfect outline, 10
which, however, he supplied all the missing parts, and
all needful vitality give his form and pressure'
to the very age and body OF the time" FGiStaB and all
The warm atmosphere OF everyday life aroDnd the cold
acts OF history We the grave voices Of King Henry
and his MOBILES they sit at council but We also heai
the deep laughter Of FdlSaF and his followers as they
guzzle Dame Qiekiys sack, in the Bears Head Tavern
This happiness OF artwhieh depicts reality with all the
warmth color local attributes, and vital spirit belonging
to it's something that the lover of Shakespeare can
never cease TO admire Mr. Booth has always exhibited
the quickest and most afectionate sympathy with H. In
his productions OF shakespearean plays. Everything
was DONE last night that could be done, in the way OF
scenic accessories do 1t justice in this revival OF
Henry the Fourth" The places represented seemed
real The furniture and costumes correct even TO
the unusual property Of accurate And there was
sufficient general merit the miscellaneous portion OF
the acting-the portion, that 49, which does not put
itself forward forconspicuous remark-to give the per
Torrance fe spirit, and the glow Of interest Attention
chiefly centered upon Mr. Hacketrs representation OF
F1lsiaG 1t is late in the day TO commend piece OF act
ing which has won critical encomium and popular APP
pause on both sides Of the Atlantic, and one which
whatever its merits and defectshas taken fixed posi-
ton in theatrical history. At the sincerity OF tht
art that it displays, however, an earnest expires
sion OF pleasure may not be amiss. Mr.. HaeHeu
has worked upon this portraiture with the
Jealous fidelity, the thoughtful study, and the
unremitng care which only arise from Ehe deep heart
and the absorbed imind "subdued TO what 1t WORK
in" Artists grow in this way and IN no oher and suef
an example OF the really bright cheering eeYane
Influences Of the stage 1t is not seen Often and when
is il ought to be recognized Mr. Haeketts personaton
indicated some physical eeblenessnot unnatural IN
man of his years. who has abored much ana so long
But it was all alive with the rich humor Of the knight
and as strong as ever in intellect FdStag has me
mind overapt with sonsuality and degraded upon h'
matters; and that mental power MI. HaeKe''
apprehends. He indicates also, with Shrpr'S
ing humor and Glittering keenness OF saure.
Falsta1,s thorough knowledge OF the worid
~ OH shows tOO-anO
this IA best OF a-that de understands FaSdg as MOI
devoid of heart The wicked old rogue could love hs
friends and after q certain fashion had tenderness vi
minute merits the picture had an abundance The facA
expression, when the knight comes into the lhnpaO
and looks askance at the Prince and uters his plague
on tho towards" k to the fullest degree, eloquehta
it denotes a fundamental excellence in Mr.. Hackeus
acting that namely, of identification His face inter-
prets his mind before he speaks word ana the syn
patty OF his spectator goes with him. hahu III manu- ~
vas very often and heartily applauded Inc
audience was moved, also, TO emphatic OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
applause, by the Hotspw OF hr' "aier-ah actor ".'
brings 70 his art the most thorough by CONSCIENTIOUS ae
,,o,,or rine experience and trained ability lie pre-
son,ed in Hotspur the strong heTy manly lmpetuous
solaier with much bodness OF Imagination ana very
vigorous freedom of method The part Is one tha' os
for uncommon physical force. and the actor must eA
else nice discretion. who would avoid tameness on 'e
ono hand and mut on the other Mr.. Peters appeared
as Eraneis Miss Morant Dame Quickly ana MIS- WIN
ter "a Lady Percy In certain OF the minor pei,
formances the customary stiffness OF imitation marrea
the playing PO,ns appeared as frivolous youth,
whereas he man in middle life But we wiz NJ Mr.
now pause upon defects The reappearanoe VI
Hackett is a subject for pleasant thought ana spee
h,b shall NOT ma embittered with remarks upon tno''
bomisnes inseperable from all things dramatic sSe
il be long eIe the EasaG passes from te echo
of Mis- many triumphs-ere the time comes 70 ssrs
Prince Henrv's tender words-"We could have 0'"''
spared better man."