The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-27
MIR. Fech,er In Auother Role.


Mr.. Fechter appeared last night In the roman.
tic ri, OF Henri de LsOdrd,rs, beng the second par,
he has played, ind the Only one he will perform. dur
his present engagement At Niblo's. The house was
crowded and iun OF animation, and the gay and
graceful galleries, freightcd with beauty and bright
dresses, rose Ike many terraced embaakments
Of waving flowers.
The plny OF the Dukes Motto" is founded on
Puul Fevas povelo OF" lie BOssu." which wa. drama.
tzcd by Its author, and produced at the Porto St
Martin, In Pars the part OF Leoayds,s being played
BY Mclau. II was IN its present form adapted for
the stage by Mr.. John Bioughsm, under the direc.
ton Of Mr. Fechter, genius for stage bus lness
aud effects has parted to II uhstever grace
and merit 1t m.., possess. The substantial
dish & TAO same. but u Is surrounded
with variety OF sensation ssuccs. In the
original piece for instance tie parts OF Leoord.re and
the H'"ehbdck, instead OF being played by one man,
which i. the exciting attraction OF the present play,
are performed all through by two separate sotor.
The pay Indeed has no intellectual interest what.
ever, except In the opportunities II ofers to great
artist 10 spsy the legerdemSin OF his art and to
show with what amazing grace aud dcxterity he con,
through mere breathing Of his voitiou, by
movement OF the muscles, by regulation Of the lip,
by contraction Of the fingers by light and shadow
Of the eyes. pass, with fash, from ono passion to
another, and Mr.. Feciter diJ, last night from
one person to another witbcut the audience being
enabled to detect the deception Tor some time
Tho plot OF the Dukes Motto" 10 very simple but
has all the artince Of situation witch belongs to the
French. who seein cunning In the art OF eoastrue
tion ss they nre Of cookery. Tie r1k OF Legordsse
is that OF free, gallant, dsshing sole OF fortune
who is compelled BY tho situation sad demands o.
the pot to xii malicious hurehbaek, whose place
he assumes with most gay sad daring
eudaclty. ari tho srtstie skill with which
he accepts two such opposite character
and transform. mself from TO smother. creates
the iLtcrcs, OF tie play. Tho charge In tho con.
structon Of the piece from the original IL not
greater than Is tha, OF Sir Peciter performance OF
the character rom that of tho other artists Who
have assumed the part The eminent manager and
actor, Mr. Wheallcy, who was the Original repre.
sentative here, played the part OF Legcrdt3s With
q melancholy grandeur and profound sense Of
the re-ronsbihue. OF every si'uhion which was
disnlaed and maJ,stlc, But Mr. FechtCr plays Henri
d, L>21rdsre not ss solemn swell, but as a light
Gallant comedian full Of grace. gaetv, vilm, and
address and thus making the contrast Of the passing
IRON one character TO the other moro tbr.lhrg and
euec'i'e. The rspidity with which he
passes not only from the form but from
the meln, the expression. the seeming,
soui OF suen part as this into the depressed and
craving cunning OF the hnncLbaek. and takes the
acute vacancy OF loOk ~ the life. Is as piece OF
ustc l"gerdemsn, wonder. Nothing can bo moro
dchca,ey DISCRIMINATING, too, than when the decep-
ton at first perfect has become familiar TO the auai.
encc, he relieves the mnnotony Of repetition by
csnoSwlns CLEANS OF irony to steal out, and
the light covering OF his assumption. Not
content even with th's dual part, he virtually In
.,e last sci undertakes anoth ", aud s,tomots with
nis love influence In the guise OF the HoaohbdcL
oyer Biqnehs de Nararys, the heroine OF the play
ha IL H.
with admifatiOn and interest and was rewarded
with genuine burst Of applause.
could undcrstaud whether II was sympathy with the
sentiment expressed or strength OF will, shrswdncss
OF eye a1d knowlcdge OF business which made tho
great artist The former quality belongs Of course
f,chter is acted on by the intellectual sumu.
audience poetic thought we are not yc,
permitted to judge lis bus ct had no opportunity,
To enter into great conceptions OF mirror.varynK
great emotions chasing each other across the mind;
but of the second quality to witch We believe most
great actors bowers are conhued, he showed him.
ser last night y Grand master lie has presence,
u not r9clc, most manly and handsome. His poses
rs lace u not Of great natural Is OF great acqnir
ed MOBILITY, and IL capable of eNpiessing everv
ny tne blade as some vi our American arllsts, he
Mields y Win graceful vISor " the landle and |
case ana dcNtclity Of a japanese juSglor. Ills |
scenes Of passion were all given with gteat
hrs and intensity, nor wns there any anti climax.
Llke true urtlst he commenced with moderation,
al gradually warmed up N the close when he farly
swept ,he house Nor could We perceive last night
any mdHtlnctncss N his euunciItIOu. The French |
accentualiOn seemed rather TO im art marked
precision, and certain fascination ON thc whole,
mo word OF art IN ts city has perhaps mot seen OF
its class more splendid piece OF acting. MI Fech
YER achieved triumph. aud proved that he was
worthy to stand, Gs he often las done alongside
OF Rlche, at the Theatre fruucas
Miss Leclerq played RdHchS de NardIts, rather
lnslpld young lady who sccmrd TO be the fruitful
cause OF most OF those wOndruus transformations,
WIN Al the grace md charm the part would alIUN
and MIR. Jarrett plccd the play on the stage with
elegance and fitness Amer this COMES silence,