The New York herald., 1870-01-06
A IL q S E NJ E N rs.

BoorH's THEATRE--EDwIN BoorH AS HANLET-
Last night was q gala ono at Booths theatre. the
occasion being the first appearance this season OF
Mr.. Edwin Booth upon the boards OF the ha ndsomc
dramatic temple which bears his name II was a
genuine feast OF reason, OF beauty, OF fashion,
and OF histrionIc intelligence and spiendors,
both as regards actors. scenery and audi
ence. II was, In fact, rust such q
treat as professionally ana critical old playgoers
would almost risk the shortening OF their span OF
life to enJoy but snch treat witha, as heretofore
has been voucnsafed them but seldom, either In
TINS country or In Europe. The auditorium boxes
anu even the lobDies OF the theatre wero
filled TO repleti0n with an audience who through
ont the entire performance listened with marked
attention to every word as it fell from the
lips OF the actors, and whose intelligence
was almost as plainly discernblo tho
scintiilaons of brilliant jewels which flashed and
sparkled like stars In parquet. balcony and boxes.
With Shakspeare's classic best known and probably
most popular tragedy OF "Hamlet, Prince OF Den
marx" as the play OF the evening, ana with Mr..
Edwin Booth to interpret the title r6le--hs favohte
characer-t could scarcely have been otherwise
1t Is nearly three years since ''Hamletn
was last seen upon the New York stage :;
nut Notwithstanding this ract, |. may be
regarded Us an old acauantance yet as produced
at this theatre last night IT was certain extent
decided novelty. Never before was the tragedy
placed upon the American stage with such magn,n
cent scenery or more historically correct
costumes; but 1t has upon the whole repeat
edy been interpreted In tins city ana elsewhere
with better cast OF characters. Hamlet as now
rendered by Mr.. Booth, Is not the same Hamlet
with which he achieved such brilliant success at
tine Winter Garden theatre some few years ago. The
new one is an improvement upon the old and is as
far superior TO his former rennerng or the character
as Is the present setting OF the piece compared with
mate drama was starved Tor suitable scenery
and lacked everything In the way or bls
trlonlc n aplllty-eAcept IN the star" Mr..
able Innovations He has improved In action. IN
voice and In gesture ana has also introduced much
into the part IN the way OF new "stagc business
lie ls moreover, more moderate and natural IN
such passages OF the text as require a passionate
delivery. but yet not too much so, and the result Is
thnt ne Is now much nearer perfection than
ever before. He mas now delicaCy OF touch and a
fnlsh Of execution ;nat oeray N every line thor.
mind. Every point Is now well made, ana his locks.
words ana actions are seemingly 30 iden-
which exists between them completely de-
velcps the character which he mpersonates.
Whatever may be the shortcomings OF Mr. Booth IN
the r0e OF 1.-The melancholy Dane" he IL and has
been, beyond question: the accepted Hamlet Of the
American stage, aad Will DC regarded more 80 now
than ever before.
As produced last night at this theatre the piece
was interpreted bv the following cast
Mr.. Edwin Booth rs Hamlet Prince OF Denmark.
MI. D. w. waller. as the. Ghost
Mr.. Theodore Hamilton as the. c.............. King
Mr.. W. ". sheridan. .as. Laertes
Mr. D. O. Anderson...... .as. s.............. .Poonlus
Mr. Charles Peters as the. First Crave Digger
MISS MISS Fanny Morant. .as the Queen
MISS Blanche De ar... ..as................O .Ophelia
Those in the cast acquitted themselves IN q very
credirable manner, but there Is stl room for con-
siderable improvement. Concerning MIR. Booths Act
Ing we have already spoken. VI Mr. Hamlitons rem
ditlon OF tne King we can award tnat actor no
higher praise than to say that his mpersOnation
was stately aud pleasing, and would have been very
enjoyable throughout II he had not at times been
quite 30 tndistinct. Mr. Nitou as Horatio excel
lent aEd acted with ease and grace, was also
Mr.. Sheridan as Laertes, both OF whom acquitted
themselves IN very creditabc manner. Mr.. An
derson, as PolOnus was as stately as
belttcd prime minister, and often lacked dignity.
Miss Fanny Morant Ss the Queen acted with
rare care and judgment; but MISS Blanche De Bar
as ODheia marred her part by just a little too much
staRiness. Upon the whole however, Hamlet as
produced last night at Booths, IL a grand success
ana VIII enjoy long and prosperous In
scenery, costumes and general appointments 1t
surpasses anything OF the KIND before attempted
In thus city.