Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-03-27
TIE Drama.
"oTHELIo.n

While Hamlet is the psychologist study of sim
gle character whose own action sufruses all the
other parts, Oalello is drama in which more
than one figure equally appears. In the per-
formance laet evening, this fact was manifest.
Mr. Booths SUCCESS however great, was not so
overshadowng az to dwarf all about him, and
while the part he played is the first choice, per-
haps, Of the cultivated and psthetic student of
dramatic art there il vet so much to tempt am
bitious effort in the character of OhellO, that
IdgO may be, or may not as the event shall de-
termne, the chief figure of the play.
This we say, appeared last evening. Mr..
Shewell, as the martial, fiery and Jealous Moor,
brave man, good captain, foolish husband
acquitted himself most honOrably. In the half
dozen times that he has played on the boards in
Wilmington, he has had no such opportunity,
and never has done so well. As the scows of
pain and rage convulsed his face while lagos
devilish suggestions were whispered in his ear,
his features wore the very look of jealousy, in
tensiied, embittered, infuriated, and his de-
meanor powerfully expressed, throughout the
whole performance, the contending passions that
rent his breast.
To Mrs. Booth, too, fell greater opportunity
than in Opbelid. Perhaps it may offend critical
tasste to say 30 but the character of DesdenOndls
30 much more akin to the average of Nature, that
its performance must win greater sympathy, and
warmer applause. 1t is less delicate, perhaps,in
its portrayal of nice characteristics Of the mind,
but it il richer, and more womanly. One is a
htuuy OF phycnOlOByt tine Otnef picture from
life. Mrs. Booth acted with spirit, tenderness,
and taste She won all hearts, and in the last
catastrophe of her unmerited misfortunos, the
sympathies Of her audience followed faithfully
the last sigh Of DesdemOnd
The Company deserve the same praise already
accorded them, but Mr.. Howards ROderigo was
especially effective and spirited As on the pre-
vious evening, when he appeared as the 1st
GrdUedigger, he brought out all the value Of a
subordinate part. Mrs. Chester, as Enelid and
Mr.. Power, as Cassie, played well.
This evening, the third appearance of Mr.
Booth and his Company. The play s Richard
III. We would there were an army, whether
headed by Richmond or not, to encamp within
the house, and not upon the stage.
THE LEFFINewELL ENGAGEMENT.
The renowned comedian, Leflingwell, will ap-
pear, for the first time before Wilmington
audience at the Opera House, on Monday, April
Sth in one Of his magnificent buresques. The
Company, with Mr.. Leffingwell is one of the
very best that has ever visited Wilmington.
This will be the first performance Of burlesque
in the new Opera House, and will no doubt draw
crowded houses, as large portion of the gem
eral public want something light and humorous.
We understand the delightful burlesque of Gin
derelld, now being performed at the Chestnut
Street Theatre, in Philadelphia, will be produced
during Mr.. Lefingwells engagement here.
Edwin Forrest is playing an engagement of
ten nights, at the Globe Theatre, in Boston.
King Lear will be presented four times.
Lucille Western is playing East Lynne, in
Boston.
Mr.. Juuius Brutus Booth, and his Company
now playing here, open in Richmond, Va. on
Monday evening of next week.