New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-25
THE DRAMA.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATER. .
THE MERRY WIVES OF wISDsOR-MR. CHARLES
FISHER Az FAIgTAPP

Tuesday evening,
10 viii be repeated there until further notice.
The attendance has been largo from the outset and
II, az think, good play, ably acted. framed Ia
handsome scenery, aud brilliantly alfred constitutes an
entertainment worthy Of public consideration and prao-
teal support, such attendance should long prevail and
this fine shakespcareaD revival should grace the stage
through proracted and prosperous career. The
edy. 1t Is true relates subject-tho 10 dness
Of an old sensualis but its treatment OF that subec
strong sensible, tasteful, and wholesome, and herein
fine manner and good moral atone for tainted theme,
The piece at any rate Is no kindred With weak dyspep-
TIC mephtc, Amerieanized French comedies in which
a subtle sympathy with what Is prurient makes
tho healthy spectator sick with disgust. II 1t
depicts the grossness and craft Of animal PASSION It
not omit to laugh at di5cOmnt KICK cuff. and utterly
humiliate what it thus depcts Moreover while It is
redeemed from reproach by It's sOundness Of mental and
moral quality and influence t Ia exceedingly brilliant In
literary and dramatic elements. Tho number vari-
ETY. Of its characters the skful and rapid play its
invention, the continuous and merry crace Of is vie.
and the sweetness OF its pastoral atmosphere may
mentioned among these attributes Of excellence. They
have made 1t q favOrte with the closet student OF
Shakespeare and they naturally assist In winning for It
the dndest Of welcomes when it takesas 1t does now
the unquestonabe shape Of earnest careful elegant.
and clever stage representation We think the revival
OF The Merry Wives Of Windsor B in all respects tho
best effort that has been made tho stage Of the Fifth
Avenue Theater This, certainly, Is tho first
dealt WITH at this house, in manner really
adequate TO its Importance commensurate
with reasonable public expectation as to such an under
taking The acting, indeed is not at all points perfect;
but the players know what they about and are suited
in their pars they do not gr0pe for meaning and they
are not fabby in execution. Tho result is clear,
natural. spirited picture. It's dressing, which mixes
fashions Of the time OF Henry w." with fashions OF
the time OF Queen Ezabeth1l00 and 1S5s-seems 20 us
unauthorized and ipudiclOus medley Yet the dress
ing rich and effective and the caprice can easily DO
overlooked. There are things more important than
clothes and paints and IL theatrical manager Will but
set forward good actingas times 90 nowhere are few
that will grudge him ample license to the limbs and
outward aourishes" In this instance the acting Is I'M
usually worthy OF careful thought
Mr. Charles Fisher In his mpersonaton Of Fqlsta0.
has laid the foundation Of a great achievement The
suporsrucure however IS yet for the most part TO be
reared. Adequate embodiment OF character so DIM
cult Ia to be reached at once. Intuition and long
study may have given the actor perfect dsal but IL rs
only through repeated and patient use that he VIII at
tain a correspondingy perfect expression TIE remark
that Mr. Fishers Fastq1 will be better when he shall
have PLAYED it oftener IS Of course trite yet Is
one necessary 70 be made; not in that bumptous and
niggardy spirit which Goldsmith neatly satlrized
when he pointed that It's always safe for the critic 10
say that the picture would have been better II the
painter had taken pans" but as tho honest state
ment Of the simple truth Mr. Fisher has not yet ac-
tce-tbe physical identity or condition Of rat man.
His walk Is too sprishty ais gestures are too agile his
entire demeanor OF body is too volatile. He
IS in other word. somewhat obviously enact
ing FastqG in bladder This is super
fetal discrepancy, and 1t will by and by
vanish Deeper than this, however, there is dscrep-
ancy Of temperament which it is by means certain
Will vanish so soon Hardened and grossly sensual sell
shnes is at the root Of FaSaG's naure and with this
Mr. Fisher has sympathy. Into certain other aspects
and qualities OF the character he merges himself en-
trey and with graceful ease because the transition ia
spontaneous Into this aspect Of no win only at last
succeed passing by studied strenuous, aud repeated
effort. For considerable time his FGlStag will be the
unconsconable old rogue whom everybody likes, and
rather approyesseeng indeed no especial reason why
he should be condemned This will be accepted, and will
deserve recognition and honor, as an able and admira-
bic work Of artpictresque, comic and delightful But
this is altog eher the FalsGof Shakespeare and OF
nature; this IA not the nveerate sinner the hard
ened reprobate the selfish wording the insensate gross
old man. who nyes-and thrivesn our unmitisated and
continuous moral censure; who VIC know, all tho
time should be CONDEMNED and summed; yet whom, we
continue to like, aud like very much indeed In open
and defiance OF Judgment morals, aud taste.
Fqlsta0 is a sot, thief, swndlcr lecher, coward,
braggar foul talker, rude, sefasserting blatant
animal ard Of acqusive and rather oppressive dig
position. That in plain prose- is the ground plan Of this
extraordinary personagethe greatest humorous crea
ton the works OF Shakespeare. But that Is not all.
FdlStqfis an English knight, man Of birth and breed
ing. he has strong, clear, commanding intellect He
knows the world thOrOughly-that is TO say, he under
stands in whole and IN part the constitution OF society
his time; and he athOm character with uner-
ring eye These qualifications give him sort OF social
predomnance. He holds his own, under all oircnm-
stances-and all the certainly and easily that he
looks upon himself and others and the whole current OF
passing affairs through humorous light The world.
for FdiStaG is altogether fer enjoyment and Jest; aud
along the pathway Of animal comfort and pleasure is
only surpassed by the wit that enliyens his
progress. Ready, fertile trenehant, dangerous,
fine and quaint, recklessy coarse and brutal.
this weapon shields him all encounters
and cuts a way for him out all dlficues-ti indeed,
the last royal virtue remembers what is due to rect
ude and breaks his poor odheart with righteous
WISE clearslghted humorously philosophical, delight
fully witty full exponent and inoessant OF
careless animal enjoyment and luxurious Incidence, Fa!
STAFF also O touch OF human Tenderness he inspires
sort OF brute affection among his wretched pot-house
companions. and for the Prince Of Wales he certainly
feels passion OF good-feowship which amounts to love.
Not like this clever and Jolly old sinner Is thoroughly
mpossible-unless to goodyism, which is third sex.
and may be left OF the question without ever once
ceasng 10 know that he Is hoary scamp We neyerthe-
less find ease and amusement in his company, aud some
how naturally prefer look the amiabe side OF him.
That side OF him Mr. Fisher presents, or, rather. We
should say, suggests for actor be said 10 have
entirely presented FalstaO, TIL 10 has played him In
"Henry IV"-seeing that the true and entire
Fat Knight lives In tho historical plays and
not in the comedy. FROM tho historical plays
though, tho actor who assumes him IN mo
comedy will, OF course borrow tho neodiul light;
and this Mr.. Fisher has done. Wit, as FdiS'GD an
nounces "may be made a Jack-o-Lant. when us upon
III employment but tho wit must be first possessed
meaning in this instance, the large brain aud eonco-
itant knowedqe and humor: and these tho actor 1nts