The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-09
ANU. s E N E N rs.

the habitues OF this favor:tc theatre. The play
itself is of unequal merit, but 1t affords oppOr-
tunty for the display of certain characteristics OF
London life a century ago. and more especially Tor
the deineation OF Q study OF that remarkable
actor and man Garrick. The story Is easily told.
Alderman Ingot's daughter Ada falls In love with
Garrick, and Ingot invites the actor to his house
and asks him in consequence to leave the country.
Not knowing that he is himself IN love with the
young lady, Garrck, while refusing to accept
Ingors offer, agrees to disgust the girl He is
invited to dinner, where he meets some vulgar
guests and Stimulates drunkenness. Ada is
robsed Of her ideal, whom she had seen
only at the playhouse, and Gafrick. who
suffers from the result OF his rash promise,
tells his misfortune at his club where he is heard
by her cousin, Quincy, who relates It to her and
her father as q good joke. Her passion for the
actor Is renewed, and in the end old Iagot asks
Garrick to marry Ada, this being enc of the condi-
tons Of the promise he made to her father. Upon
. story slight very delightful comedy is based,
IN which Mr.. Sothern made great success abroad
and has repeated his triumph here. The setting Of
the piece at Waiack's is magnificent especially
the interior representing room in lngst's house.
Nothing richer and mere harmonious in color was
ever seen the New York stage, and the furniture
| is thoroughly in keeping with the apartment.
Down to the incest matter OF detail 1t is perfection
itself. This beautiful scene serves Tor the
represents Garrick's library. In this as in
other respects the stagework is true to the
mony with the surroundings and with the ideal OF
| Garrick's appearance, which Hsgarth transmitted
| pectation OF the acting which is to perfect the
| picture, and this, ike everything ese met the
highest antcipations: In himself portrait OF the
msdel. He was as great last night even as lame
10 Enrp aE In hn
the first act he plays with remarkable skill. Mr.
John Gilbert takes the part ofIngot, in which he is
scious way Of expressing his contempt for
play actors Increases the n,. difficulty Of
yg oan s s ar wsTe tae
self assertion OF the old man OF the play is in itself
sufficient to smother younger actor unless ne, ne
Is greater than even his warmest friends have
claimed. The dignity, the genlaty, the readiness
preston in Mr.. Sotherns art, and before the
ends it is admitted on all hands that though Lord
Dundreary showed his greatest strength in
fair to measure sothern by character which he
had created. BY his Garrick he proves himself
now on the stage. An artist who can stand up
against Mr.. Gilbert in bltof acting such that Of
many parts. The Ada or Miss Katherine Rogers was
sweet bit OF acting, for which she deserves hearty
It's simplicity and earnestness were its great
charms. The introduction OF senae or the men,
DerS OF the three distinguished 1amlleS- SInltn,
Brown and Jones-mars the beauty OF the play,
but sncn things as they were required to do were
very well done by the artists who take the parts.
Mr. and Mrs: Smith were played by Mr.. George
Browne and Madame POnisi, and Mr.. w. j. Leonard
played Mr. Brown, Mrs John Seton Miss Araminta
Brown and Mr.. E. M. Holland Mr.. Jones. In
spite OF the acting 1t was felt that such vulgar
people have no real part in the play, and are
only introduced to make the piece OF more general
which Is sufficient excuse to the dramatst Tor the
audience is superior to every other consideration,
onAf tQrNln nlad fha IN Ia
Mrs. John Seton appeared for the first time this
season, and had natterng reception.
Mrs. scott siddons.
Mrs. Scett Siddons has seldom been seen at
greater advantage than at Association Hall yester
day afternoon, nor has she ever read to larger or
more appreciative audience than that which there
greeted her so warmly Hundreds OF persons who
failed to purchase tickets and some who had the
pasteboard reluctantly turned away, unable to find
even standing room. 1t was evident from the mo-
mcnt the graceful form of the young and pretty &C.
tress gded upon the platform that the readings
would be success. Dressed In the most fault
less yet simple style, with presence that
at once seemed to inspire her audience with inter-
est and attention, she captivated from the start.
Her selection from "Much Ado About Nothing" was
rendered in . mastery style. Her voice, sweet
and sympathetic, is used with remarkable ease and
ability and enables her to represent with SURPRISING
delicacy and accuracy the persons introduced in
the portions read. Her treatment OF Tennyson's
cution, csmmand OF subtle, swift expression and
experience, did not compare so faverably. The
sudden Transformation from the polished, rich,
hgh-born lady TO the Owly peasant girl was little
too heavily tnged with the tragic. Mrs. Siddons is
equal to all the creations of Shakspeare's
fertile imagination, but at present the actress
is too plainly perceptible in Tennysen-a fault
that can easily be rectfed. The same remarks
apply in measure to her recitation of the "May
uncomfortable
sensation created by the joyous peas Of laughter
OF the proud glrl as she addresses her mother, in
on the morrow, and the sudden change from youth
iul hilarty to sad melancholy on the part OF the
able ignorance Of Henry ", in his woong OF
faction OF all that kings and courtiers in private
are really very common people. In interpreting
the sleep-walklng scene from Macbeth she gave
her upon the stage In this character.
It was gratifying to observe her Judgment in
emitting Hoods "Bridge OF Signs" from her SednCe
as Its repetition Immediately after its recital by
such master in elOcuti0n as DR.. Belew could
only have resulted in unfair commentary. In
Shakspeare's undying productions Mrs. Sfddons
exhibits vivid and intelligent appreciation Of all
that Is fancfu and humorous, and can In one mo-
ment transport her audience into rhapsoaies Of
delightful mlrth or produce in the next a feeling
o. sadness almost bordering ra ON melancholy With
tainment was OF the most interesting and instruc.
tive description.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
Charles Rsade is again charged with plagiarism.
The comedy OF Ladies' Battle" which Is an.
neunced at the Opera Comique, in London. as an
original play by him, is declared by the critics to be
Tom Roberson's adaptation Of scrlbe's "Battailles
des Danes."
The last performance Of the "Alhambra' was
given at the Olympic Theatre last night and the
house will be closed for q week. Next week
lHnpp NJ tvs- rst,, f,,r
The temperance OF Mr. Fox. after his long Jour
neyings IN the West and South, where he was re.
ceived with great favor and was complimentcd by
some Of the most extraordinary criticisms witch
ever Moved from the pen Of dramatic writer, can.
Tot fail to bring his Old friends about him once
more. lie Is happy in having escaped the kind
but psnderous critics OF the country press and will