The New York herald., 1872-12-31
AMusEMENTs,
Edwin Booth ~ Orchard III


atre last night, with Mr.. Edwin Booth In the title
part, was the occasion OF large gathering OF the
tragedians friends. We have not seen > better
house at any Of the theatres this season, which In
saying much, for some Of them have been very
great, both in numbers and quality. The FIRST thing
to be said OF the performance, though the least
gracious, is that Richard cannot be numbered
among Mr.. Booths greatest parts, great as It is In
comparison with what 1t would be In the hands Of
any other actor This is especially true Of the rst
act but the thorough lack Of support is perhaps as
much the cause OF this apparent weakness as his
own lack Of sympathy with the brutal instincts Of
the violent and deformed creature the English
once called King. Never was actor so feebly sup
ported, and with o sort OF poetic JUS
tice the feebleness OF the others returned
Miss Ellen Morant was not simply 6ad-it was 80
bad that that there was nothing TO the part except
Elizabeth sufficiently dignifed to lift Mr.. Booth out
OF his extreme necessity Of playing to automatic
either OF the others-so much better indeed, that
had those been equal to this there would be little
reason to complain. The other parts were fairly
playing their indefinite noblemen with suficient
ability to satisfy the necessities Of the tragedy Of
speak on this first representation this season OF
part In which he is so well known. 1t was full OF
his peculiar art. clear. finished % and concise. &c:
ter the nrst act he sometimes rose to the
think we should have been mpelled to find fault with
his acting in the early scenes II II had not been for
making ma % was s made to woman the like OF whom NO
man ever c0urted before, and whom no numbering
king would care to woo, even were ne intent on
crimes and schemes such as those Of this hunch
backed Englishman. 1t Is certainly grave error
to so cast piece, and II 1t were necessary to crit
else Mr.. Booths acting, which ts always great
enough to provoke the highest enc0miums for his
many fine points, we should do It independently Of
enes Sas pss Don de
and Richard every evening during the week There
can be no doubt that he will continue to I'LL the
house while he remains at his own theatre, for the
fine touch OF his genius Is such that people viii see
him over and over again.
Bowcry Theatre-The "swamp Angels,
Last evening the thrilling four.act drama OF the
'Swamp Angels" evolved principally from the let
ters Of the daring HERALD Special Commissioner,
Mr.. A. b. Henderson, and the inner consciousness
OF Mr.. Charles Foster, well-known playwright,
was reproduced at the BOwery Theatre to very
large and highly excited audience. The drama Is
generally descriptive OF the adventures hair
breadth escapes and daring doings OF the HERALD
Commissioner among the lawess Lowcry gang Of
the swamps OF North Carolina. Tie drama Is well
written, and the dialogue Is Of physically humOr-
ous character throughout. The shooting OF the
Is all that the heart OF the B0wery could desire In
the way Of speedy justice, and the advent
OF the HERALD Commissioner at Low Neck
station Is intensely graphic. The Boston Dumas Is
very humorous and very fat and the young lady
who delineates the eccentric Yankee girl from Cape
which-were both artists In their way The author
Of the play Mr. Foster, played the part OF old Allan
loweTy and did II justice In every detail, and Henry
Berry Lowery mr. W. i. street,, the chief OF the
outlaws, was as bold and reyengeful looking ruf-
ian in appearance as ever strobe the BOwery
boards. The beauty Of,this drama Is that for the
long length Of four acts-the second act closed at
hali-past ten 0'ciock-it always appeals to the
higher emotions OF mankind and womankind. Vice
through the brain throughout and In almost every
instance virtue shrieks trumphantly and discovers
its lost kindred In series OF tablcaux. This Is as
1t should be- The HERALD, the mighty journal OF
civilization and truth, was enthusiastically cheered
In every act, beginning with the second, and full
and 0vernowng houses are certainly guaranteed
TO this thrilling drama.