New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-20
THE DRAMA.
Dccru's rHrATER-THE KING OF TIE COMMONS
NR. BARRETT.

BOOTHS TUrATEE-THE KING OF TIE COANONS-
NR. BARRETT.
I'm Sympathy with the best ideals of good
ne there Is no play that surpasses the Rev. James
Whites sterling old drama Of "The King OF the Com
mons The influence that proceeds OF 1t is equally
beneficial and delightful. It's purpose Is to depict
noble manly ina cuaumOus character, triumphant over
treacherv, meauness, and wrong. This purpose il ac
comnl,hcs IN a series Of dramatic incidents that steadily
interest tac mind, AID With such power and finish OF
lit ray taste and judgment cannot fat applaud
Tie character is that OF james stuart the Fifth Of the
Kin Of dat who icigucd over scotland. Historic
truth has been respected in the dclneatiOn Of tlis per
soua-e who lives, in the authentic annals Of lis
sturdy native land, man OF truly royal
bold iory, aud COUI coUs, but kind, just
element gentle and true Such as lie in life he
appears dramatic hcton-save that the story stOrs
short OF Lis real fate which the miserable death Of
q Oken-hearted gentleman Yet the author has like
wise respected in Illustrating the nature and career Of
this sugUuTy wcChO>en hero deeper truth than that
Of history-the truth, namely, OF experience Such a
man o. james the rim could not fail 10 be surrounded
iy-.aitOIs. "TO kind Of men" says wise Old Add
"ther Craces them but enemies" James Of
this kud In other words, lie honest fI.uk straight
forward and ;ruthful ald such he have ever been
the prey OF their fellOwcreatures Human nature in all
ages is seen TO be woven of the same threads. The
world OF Old in this respect at any rate, may be
clearly enough judged By the world OF to-day and it il
"A
King OF the Commons, that James would have met with
very different fate if he had been capable of dupcity.
TO crnge 70 wrgge around corners, 70 spy and shuttle
and grasp TO cOyetous foxy and sOrddly selfish
douhtless accounted then-as 1t is accounted nOwthe
yav OF worldly wisdom. James did not walk in that
pah but on the road OF manness and simple truth and
30 the heart that he upon his sleeve was pecked TO
death by DAVIS. The play however, shows us-as we
have sadhis triumph and not his sorrow. Our readers
of course are familiar with its story and do not need to
be told how the monarch discovered the intended
.trcachcry of his lords, aud how he pun
ished them with mercy and shamed them INTO
allegiance This is matter Of common knowledge to the
votares Of the playhouse. Our sole reason lof tnus
pausng upon topic Of the piece is sense Of the i'm
portspce OF giving cordial and heartfelt welcome and
couragemeut TO its truly ennObling influence The
King Of the Commons" is pure play, and no man VINO
mas heart can see il acted without being elevated IN
generous emotion aud strengthened III good ana gehue
Impulses The drama was brought out on saturday
might al Booths Thcater, where 1t was framed in suit
able scenery and very vigorously acted Two or three
interiors and an occasional landscape serve for dressing
this drama the action OF which is singularly well
concentrated aud pleasingy rapid. All neediul care
hss been expended on the mounting, which showed on
oatuicay evening, many traces OF that taste ana Vght
which have for Mr.. Waller so much honor and
credit manager OF this beautiful stage. 1t Is neodfui
70 add However, that due made OF the license
allowable inthe scenic treatment Of ideal works That
1s, Letber the furniture many OF the uappings
sayOIcd OF 1bi2 Realism in these matters though II
not Indispensable. The great requisite is good acting
Nj. Lawrence Barrett-playing Hing Jaoes, this &C.
oasioH for the Hfs time here.-supplediths requisite in
cOpOus abundance Tie identity OF his perscnafon
Of1nct not entirely perfect. and II had InOb OF the
Nsdful rush Of passionate feeling the light OF hum0r
m fbs shadow Of sadness the mastery OF idea that
com 81 intaEe perception, and the graceful sa
certain ~ Of method that only possible 20 severely
trained vi widely experienced faculties clearly
evident n The artist understood tie character and
sympathzed With lin IL most secret swings IL
clearly evident w. tJat his free and bold execution OF