New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-14

peare suggests in telling the story OF Paar in love
Engands Virgin Queen is said to have greatly likes
"The Merry Wives" when she saw 1t acted at Windsor
Castle, in the faro time And yet 1t must have been
very cumsy done; for, apart from the fact that only
the very rudest Of stage appliances were then available
the characters in the play had not been sp
pretended and brought out into that graphic
distinction with which ripe study has, latter years.
endowed them. How much-how very much-time has
done for the stage and for acting again indicated In
the representation OF this Shakespearean comedy at
Booths Theaer last evening Elaborate and sumpuous
scenic establishment is customary at this theater
every knows and becomes therefore, supcrfuous
to say that The Merry Wives of Windsor was we'll ap
pointed in all respects In most respects we are able
truthfully to sdd it well acted And good audi
ence, in point Of numbers expressed its appreciation Of
the and toll and talent bestowed upon the per-
forms great deal Of these went TO the effect pro-
duced Mr. Hackets Fdsta6 aroused abundant laughter
due less to the comedians faithful and effective
preston Of the rich humor Of the character the
udcrOus situations into which the fat knight is entrapped
by the merry and willy wives Ford and Page were most
efficiently played-the one with all needful impetu-
osness the other with all needful moderation, by
| Mr.. Hamilton and Mr.. Sheridan. Hrs. Ford and
Mrs Page represented by Miss Fanny Moran,
aud Mrs. Winter, merrly made and merrily carried
forward the plot against Sir John. Dir. Waller
capital portrait Of staggering Pistol Mr. Norris showed
careful intelligent study Slender, combined with an
apt perception OF the OF the characer-whch IL
a sort OF lamblike docty and stupid concet-and much
more secOmmand well control OF the resources OF
art than We have yet him manifest in the method
OF working out his ideal These characerpars afford
OF for young playerstaking them ncces
sary out OF their individuality, and allowing them
to sink their mannerns and their crudty The younger
members Of MI Booths company often show defects, but
they have the great virtue OF devoted earnesness-and
this In school Of acting, is both essential motive and
| N
will be played every evening at Booths Theater unti
further notice. Mr.. Haoketts engagement will extend
| to Christmas night
| FIFTH AVENUE THEATER
| In the conduct of affairs at the Fifth Avenue
Theaer Mr. DAILY has reverted to an oldtme practice
He changes the bill almost every night and sets all idea
OF long "runs" out Of tho question. This Is o good
policy, to q manager who is alone in It, except-as We
have already Naturalization applied to Shakespeare.
The works of that great poet are not to be successfully
tossed with pchfOrk. upon any stage. With lighter
plays, this Prince Rupert spirit OF enterprise can deal
successfully; and many such pieces have been neatly
and brightly done at tho Fifth Avenue Theater Mr
DAILY has pretty stage as any In the land; stage
| manageable Harkns-whO is among the hardest work
ers in that hard working craft and talented company
And we are glad that this elegant little house
is steadily and surely growing in the favor Of the cult
| waited classes of this community Its claims were
further made manifest, last night By spirited repre-
sentation, which given there, Of "Don Cesar de
Bazan." The play requires present description, and
1t certainly inspires particular line of reflection Very
extraordinary acting is needed. in this piece to make the
drama stimulatve Of very careful thought No such
acting Illustrated the play, last night. at the Fifth
ave- Theater. but several clever people united In giving
brisk Interpretation to dashing comedy ana so wrought
out an agreeable and cOmmendable result The cast OF
parts udiciousy made. Mrs Chanfrau was TO have
acted Mariana illness prevented her from appear.
| ing and the part gracefully filed by
Miss Agnes Ethel. The Don CGSar was Mr..
E. L. DavenpOrt-wbose real is in tragedy and
comedy, but who, nevertheless, handles comedy
character with the power and the grace OF true and
ripe artist Mr. Davenports Don Caesar is manly. soldier
like. dashlng aud well.favOrcd with humor. aud 1t
aroused frequent bursts Of laughter and applause In
the semifarce parts of the Marquis and Countess de
Rotundo Mr.. Davidge and Mrs. Gilbert made a great
deal Of sport Upon the miscellaneous acting there Is
no call TO lnger The house about half filed Don
Caesar again tonighJ-when it will work aud act more
smoothly and when, trust. the attendance VIII 10
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