, 1874-02-26

ADJUSTMENTS.


M'y1cKEn'B THEATRE.
There ras slight falling OF IN tho sizo Of tho
audience at McVicker's Theatre last oyouug,
upon which occasion shakspenro'a delightful
comedy, - Much Ado About Nothing" was pre-
sontod While comedy genorally exerta moro
attractive influence upon tho public than tragedy,
those Of the great poot.dramatist not go fully
represented in Mr. Booths repertoire as tho
moro SERIOUS compositions. for REASONS that wilt
roadily recommend themselves, and aro, conse-
quontly, not we'll known. Frnm this Inns do
yolopod al erroneous belief that the goniua OF
the motor ia not adapted to comedy. From not
having noen him uubcnd his bow, tho public has
como to suppose hc cannot do 10. Those who, by
good fortune Or good judgment, with faith in lis
ability to amuao as well as to enthral, found
themselves In the thoatro last evoning, will bear
witness that tho popular disbelief wrongs Mr.
Booth deeply. TAe Iuulor Of tho play is somo-
what antique to those whose reading has not
familiarizod thou, with tho spirit Of ShaAo-
spearean comedy, md triao heavy bosides, but
Benedict is m ideal character, aud as such finds
o counterpart in all experiences, and consequent
1y commends itself. This il true in moasuro
with Dogterrv, and 1t Ia is our local good for
tune, or misfortune, TO recogniZo tho character
as ; faithful portrait Of modern times. It il not
60 univoraal picture, hoWoyor as Benedict, and
apparently falls with Q thud upon our Bonee Of
tho ridiculous. These arc the natural centres
Of interest in tho pioce, and wore most happily
represented in the persons Of Edwin Booth mud
Mr. McVlckor. It is somo timo ainco tho comedy
WAS played hore, but 1t met With universal ap-
probation it's lust performance, md az 1T will
bo repeated at tho Saturday matinoe wo cordially
commend it to tho lovers OF genuine amusement.
Tho graceful acting Of hIr. Booth i'll reposo 1s q
study for professional players. The wonderful
amount OF meaning tint can DO Expressed in
perfect ropose cauuot bo understood until it il
really Witnessed, aud hs it Is only with auch
finished actors as Alr. Booth, Mr. Jefferson, or
Mr. Sothern that it iB seen in its full excol-
lence, the opportunity for studying it should not
s botwoaa no 1S' aud bsore % the ns
triar furnishes tho koy to the situation.
Ho ID 81 good as a chorus with
scarcely IN action aud without = line. In the
Mr. Booth and nllas tateman appealed directly
to tho audience, md tho morcurial clation aud
depression Of tho lover woro 30 admirably ren-
dorod aa to surprise tho house into burat of
until both players had bowed their acknowledge
ments to tho audience. Mr. MoViclor's DoQ-
berry iH ouo among q large number OF that gem
tlenlAn'n c1cellent claractcrzations. 10 an
actor Of Mr. McVickcrs intelligence aud expert
once on tho stage aud on It. Dogbe'7y is not tho
impossible creature usually Boen be1olng i'll
cougruous lines. It ID reality and rarely
amusing parsonage, whoso unconsoouBnosa OF
his abslrdity il preserved without flaw. Tho
cast ia larger ono than either Of the other
shakspearoan plecoa played llore Aavo don,uuded,
mud consequently draws upon the company to a
groater degroe. That its requirements wore met
bettor thRn could hayo beon anticipated iB tlat-
torlng to ail who played. hfr. o Neil had little
| to do in tho rolo OF Don Pedro, but did TINT
little we'll. Mr. Piorco deserves word Of pralBo,
~ Ito Mr. Holland and Mr. Ranford. Mr. Norris
appeared to understand tho part Of Claudio, and
than usual. il ho would ondoayor to
hold his head in mathe-
matioal liuo with his spine his figure would be
greatly improved, and his other mannorisIns
would DO parlonabLe. This evening "Tho
ApoBtate," ono Of the elder Booths pieces, will
bo played, with tho following cast Of cuaracterB:
peseara. Edwin Booth
flprdh.. Alle6 FatoMau
ucltYA. saAHlca O'Ne
Hafn6t. IL flefta
Mouf. .Eu Stuart
0Ecer. ...,....-..W. a. LAvall
y. W1laon
Alvarez al. stamford
uAul ~ NJ. brown
6phhaIA. .6lQney young
TIE ADELPNI.
| Tho enjoyable entertainment which this house
! affords to 10 many people every eyenlng l,as
been varied this week by the addition OF several
now attractions. Fist among theHe ia tho box
all.