The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-08
THE AC4DEMY OF MUSIC.
A New Way to Pay Old Debts.

New Way to Pay Old Debts.
IfPhiip MaSsngcri is not, as sonic critics III
sst next in rank to Shakespeare is at least ndlS-
putaole that he is one OF the very ocst OF the old
English dramatlsts. He wants delicacy ofhumor,
but he Is vigorous and broad in his conception anu
dencaton OF character His representations OF
! society abound in traits of keen observation and
independent thought, and lis serious passages
have lofty melancholy, both OF Imagery and
feeling as we'll as peculiar grace aud melody Oh
| expression. His "Maid OF Honor is occasional
Iy played, but "a New Way to Pay Old Debts" is
| the one comedy OF Massnger's Which holds Its
place on the stage, and by which lie is generally
| known In this comedy "Sir Giles Overreach" is
the central figure, and the eXigcnccs Of the stage
| rcouire that the other characters shall be made
wholly subordinate to the irascible knight. This
has always been favorite part with the leading
actors on the English stage and they, and "phillp
Massinger, stranger" find in Mr.. Warner a
worthy companion and flt representative
Mr.. Warner last night was thoroughly at home
! Warming to his work, anu brushing away the
rust of disuse, he played with even more than his
usual energy, while in his impersonaton there
were the same evidences OF study and thought
full care which marked his "Shylock" and "Riche-
l!eun In the last act his acting wa4 Startling In
its intensity and force. AAd he was vel! sup
ported. Miss Eldridge tdargaret) entered
thoroughly into the spirit Of her part, whose
changing hunors enabled her to display
to advantage the versatility Of her powers.
"Justce Greedy" was given to Mr.. Parker,
one of the main-srays OF the company, who por-
| traJed with grotcsque force the foiblcs OF the
gluttonous Official. Mr.. Wood made capital
"Allworth,n and Mr.. O'Neil played Welllorn with
care and point which could not easily be ex-
cclled Mr.. Ryan threw into his impersonation
OF "Marrall'' his own queer hulnor, and no more
need he desired. Taken altogether, the perform
ance of ga New Way TO Pay Old Debts' was the
most satisfactory OF the week, and the audience
showed their appreciation by loud applause, and
by calling Mr.. Warner and Miss Eldrldge before
the curtain.
As Mr.. Warner came before the loot-iights the
applause grew louder still. When it had snbsld-
ed, he said that it was hardly fair to call upon
him after such play to make speech, Tor he
was very much in the case OF old Mother Hub
bard, who "found her cupboard bare" for voice.
he certainly had none. In few graceful words
he returned his ,.:anks for the generous manner
In which the Charleston public had greeted his
first appearance among them, and, in con.
clusion, said that he was Cosmopolitan, and
might in two years time, be an American him
self.
Richard III.
Tonight Mr.. Warner will appear as the "Crook-
back" in Shakespeare's tragedy OF Richard Iii.
This part has become highly celebrated in Eng
land from its having been fitted by excellent per-
formers, and this has led to well-fouuded ad
miratIon of the piece ITSELF The character OF
'Richard" is clearly drawn in the last parts of
"IIcnry the SIXTH" which contains two OF his
most significant soliloquies. or him, Schlegel
says: "Richard, as well as Iago, is villain with
full consciousness" His deformity Is the eX-
preston OF his internal malice, and, perhaps, in
part the effect OF it. lie considers it Us an in
iqultous neglect OF nature, which justiles him in
taking his revenge on that human society from
which 1t Is the means OF excluding him. Hence
these lines:
And this word love, which graybeards call di-
vine,
Be resident In men like one another,
And not In me. am myself alone.
Although Orchard" Is thoroughly acquainted
with the blackness OF his mind and his hellish mis-
sion, he attempts to Justify himself by sophism
the happiness Of being loved is denied to him;
what, then, remains to him but the happiness of
rullngt His favorite amusement is to ridlcule
Others and he possesses an eminent satirical
wit. He has contempt for all mankind, and is
confident OF his ability to deceive them. In hy-
pocrlsy he is fond OF using religious forms, as II
actuated by desire OF profannS In the service
Of hell the religion whose blessings he had in
wardly abjured. These are the main features OF
Richards" character-of him who lives muir
derer, perjurer, tyrant and dies the death Of o
hero. The accomplished tragcdIan who dtstin-
guished himself in the "Merchant Of Venice"
and in Hamlet" will win new laurels In "Richard
the Third"
On Monday night "Othelo" will be played. and
we understand that Mr.. Warner, during his re-
engagement, will be supported by some new ar
rivals as well as by the present company.