New-York tribune., 1871-04-11
THE DRAMA.
FIFTH AVENUE TIIEATER-REAPPEARAHCE OF
CHARLES MATHEWS.


CHARLES MATHEWS.
A refined and fashionable assemblage filed
the Fifth Avenue Theator last nsht,-crowding II IN
every part,-and welcomed Mr.. Charles Mathews with
sincere cordial and enthusiastic applause How abent
was the friendly feeling Of the hour may be inferred
from the fact that the comedian called before tho
curtain four or five times in the course Of tho
evening The plays presented "M Married For
Money" and "Patter versus Chatter" Mr.. Mathews
acted Mop,ts and Captain Pdfter Tho parts arc well
coutrased; and the comedians representation or them
served TO show the versatility OF his talents Upon the
genuneness OF talents the public aud all students
Of the art Of acting have long been agreed MI Mathews
is a marvel OF easy grace We assume an identity and
maintains 1t from first 10 last The result is distinct
and symmetrical embodiment Large knowledge OF hu-
man nature and Of social relations are eynced in this
together with initiative faculty superby trained The
actor sezes upon dramatic situations with quick ana
sure intuition and makes their full meaning eVGent
with refined humor and graceful skill. What he does 10
done so easily that the spectator wholly UNCONSCIOUS OF
effort is satisfied with sense OF completeness ana
only realizes, in reminiscent thought, that some
thing very difficult has been accomplished without
the least manifestation of machinery or anxiety.
a word, the to conceal art is possessed by MT
Mathews in singular fulness He made his points ast
night, with the same crisp ehect that always
marked his style. lie was to be the same
skiuful artiGcer as OF old. Time has somewhat
imnaired his voice, and somewhat tempered bis
rapdity with sluggishness In other words
he has not all OF that aacrty Of spirit" that he was
wont TO have; but, on the other hand, his snow OF
cheer" is as bright as We have many demands
pnon orr space today and cannot long date upon
any theme Enough, at present, TO record the
brilliant reception that was last night given TO the dis
ttnr,ished comedian and TO add that he deseryed IT,
The pieces were neatly put upon the stage The support
might easily have been more efficient. "The Critic Ia
in rehearsal for production next Monday.
RICHARD III. AT NIBLO's.
Shakespeare's tragedy of Richard Ill" was
acted last night at Nibo's Garden The performance
began at few minutes past o'clock and did not ter
inmate until after l. The theater well filed, although
there was not an Overwhelming crush OF spectao-snch
as sometimes las greeted and rewarded the more aiur
ing literature OF leg The representation was renarKa
BILE in many ways. 1t was history suDhnated Dy posc
treatment illustrated by admirable pictures ana TAD
leaux and popularized by adornments OF ANIMATION ana
beauty To do it anything like fun justice on the
instant and in a brief space, is impossible An
immense deal OF labor has been expended ON the getting
I'D OF the tragedy and with the hsppest results sixteen
ipportrnt scenes set well devised as pictures ana
thorough in treatment OF details Rich and varied cos
tunes lent an air Of versmltude and OF great bnancy
70 the whole performance. Realism has not wlthlh
our knowledge received more eopious or EN-
phatio illustration. 1t is not so desirable an
aoiunet in the stage treatment OF shakespeares
ideal tragedies, but 1t seems fitting ana need
full 10 that Of his historical plays. This part OF last
,bt,s revival was altogether admirable The view OF
old the apartments Of King Edward the Coisers
OF Westminster the vews Of Bayards Castle the Tower
~ London the Square in the old city, and
gosworth Field, were recognized with delighted
acclamation az scenic works Of very high
order Messrs Grieve Of London, Perkins OF Manches
ter and yoegtn OF NewYork have united their talents
in producing it, The revival is rightly called pageant
To please popular taste morTisdsnce-appropriae 10
mining times OF poaee-is introduced in the beginning
and mnuet is danced in the thronefoom 10 indicate
the festl feeling incident 10 Richards coronation
Mr. James Bennett appeared as Richard. We
cannot now review his persOnation in detail
IT was evident that he had been accustomed to
the, Colley Cibber version, and therefore felt
hammered by the text Of the original His conception
WAS that OF close stndent and 1t was carried Win
strict regard 10 conference and consistency lie e1-
nressed Gloster's lconduoned, ugly mood
nerfectly well. and laid great stress upon de-
neatuo the politician. In the last act h. showed Inn
sg5nation and a knowledge OF anguish remorse' anu
frenzy Mr. Lerich made decided mt rs clarence. I
Na1 warner embodied and virtue perfectly
A. Richmond. Mr.. Morton anected MS hesroI' WIN
q genpine touch Of nature in the exit speech
Of King Edeard. These matters must oe reser'ou' no
e,s ,r a time OF more leisure. Crowded house ought
10 reward Messrs. Jarrett Palmer '"t 'ne aii i
effort they have made to give shakespears hieharo
III" really suitable setting.
THE CIRCUS.
This is the last week Of the season al MI
Ient's New-York Circus. Performances VIII DO gwen
each nj ght and WCdne sday and Saturday pi'oioo
Novel features OF entertainment make UP tno '"i0"S
programme ThG best feats in the repertoire OF tno cum
pauy hayo bee selected give brancY 70 tn' 0'''s