The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-17
ADJUSTMENTS.
Booths Thentre-Bnrre,t as Cassius.

Booths Theafre-Barrett Cassius.
somehow rumor go. abroad at the beginning OF
Mr.. Barrets engagement that after certain lapse OF
time he anu Edwin Booth would change ,6tes IN
order give the critical public greater interest in the
performance. With this notion in our mind We had
taken leave of Great uius some weeks ago, ana as
the noblest Roman, in the person Of Mr.. Booth
made his best studied bow to the audience, follow
ing the thought Of the play, we had mentally muir
mured 1--WE shall meet again at Phllippi, EDWIN"
and selling convenient hat, had hurried out into
the air and bundled into one OF those obging street
cars which wait the theatre door for II special
benefit OF the HERALD critic. With that que defer
ence for an actor's opinion of himself which il is
the duty of the oblging critic to manifest on all Oc.
casions at least so far as possible We on the
mOmentous occasion alluded TO. devoted most OF
our space to some good natured remarks on the
character of the ancient Brutus and the ability Oh his
modern mpersOnat0r. II we were not SO euOgls-
tic we ought to have been, 1t Is probably because
we didn't see any particular reason, and our last
visit still leaves US as unbelieving as ever.
Entering the theatre we cast glance OF suppllca-
ton up to the roof towards the somewhat uncOm-
fortably placed Bard or Avon, who presldes nightly
have been imagination, but 1t certainly appeared to
us that poor shakespeare looked most melancholy
and seemed TO be murmurng "E tn Brute,n but
whether he was complaining about Mr.. Booth or
lamentng the decadence OF critical taste in the
audience 1t was impossible clearly to make out,
owing to the distance, and, no doubt natural
dislike on his part to draw too much
attention 10 the raner unpleasant position III winch
Booths people had placed him. AS the curtain
went up several American citizens in irreproach-
able Roman costume walked out on the stage and
began to talk about the business OF the evening or
had seen IL so often before that it didn't
make the slightest impression on u.s. but an anti
Quated and prim old lady In the audience
screamed slightly at the suagestiveness OF
versed in classic toggery,.. applied scent
bottle to her nose and she collapsed Immediately.
While this little incident was proceeding the critic
kept one eye directed towards the stage. As the
play proceeded ne rather regretully remarked that
traces or Booths mannerism seemed TO have tainted
Barretts manner in the less Important passages.
However, IN the strong, f0rcefu scenes there was
last. Evidently lie had corrected MS STYLE giving
more repose or intensity according to the
demands oil the situation. His delivery OF the
speech at the end OF the first scene was given
with concentrated energy and forceful dignity full
OF passionate purpose. The same characteristics
The scene in the Senate after the killing Of Caesar
displayed the most thorough appreciation of the
character OF Cassius. To our mind the tent scene,
though an excellent rendering OF Shakspeare's
portrature. was not correct historically.
Bangs was suffering from a severe cold. He has
made himself quite iavorite with the audience by
a performance which has certainly the quality
But, really, he caused US great deal OF uneasness
on this occasion, as we were in dread he would
burst blood vessel or smother himself, and being
constitutionay nervous we have strong objection
TO startling sensations, and dislike the idea OF going
to q theatre with the dread OF having to write an
management OF "Julius Caesar" Is concerned It con.
tinues TO merit the highest praise 1t contributes In
no small degree 10 the successful run which this
piece promises to make.