The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-26
..Kinr John;J ii Roo,h,s.

After lapse OF many years Shakespeare,s
tragedy OF liking John" was revived at Booths
last night. Considerable interest was excited by
the event among the theatrical public, az was
evidenced by the crowded state OF the house, not
withdrawing the unfavorable weather. Although
the play was well put on the stage, the scenery
being particularly good, there was not paid
the same scrupuIOus attention to the costumes
which generally distinguishes this house. How
ever, the arms and equipments were sufficiently
ancient to suggest correctness; but we regret to
see the stage departing from the close attention
to this detail OF correct costume which gives so
much value to historical plays by putting the men
before the audience In the dresses they wore In
life II may be well to recall here the fact that the
nrst representation OF King John in which any,
thing like correctness in point OF costume at
tempted was given by Kemble at the Covent Garden
Theatre, London. 1t was then looked upon as q
harmful innovation, and Mr.. Robinson blanche.
who mad suggested the idea to Kemble and was
charged by him with the preparation OF the
costumes, was regarded with little favor
by the theatrical world. THIS was in 1923.
The success OF the revival went, however.
beyond all expectation, and $1,000 houses
rewarded the managers for their enterprise. This
was turning point In dramatic representations,
nd nse nse peen
must have been felt last night by those who eX-
pected 10 fnd similar care exhibted IN the mat
Ter OF costume, but in view OF the short time the
play will keep the boards and the termination Of
the present management this week 1t is not DIM
cult to account for the failure TO keep up to the
standard OF former efforts.
1t required some courage in tile management to
put "King john on the bill IN view oil the demand
the play makes for q large and good cast; but
after making Mr.. Mccullough bear the whole bur-
den Of entertaining the audience Tor several weeks
the management lelt assured oil success wnen ne
should be supported by Mrs. Agnes Booth ana Mr..
J. b. Booth. SO lar as the dramatic inter-
occupies rather secondary place. and 1t there
lore requires considerable talent In an actor 10
keep himself IN the pubic eye as the principal
when In reality he has very little claim on tne au-
'Iience save what springs from MS own merit.
WnateveE credit belongs TO man VINO acnleves
TINS Mr. Mccullough has iairly earned, or ne man.
aged, without being intrusive, TO turn attention
from King John whom the real dra.
matte interest centres, upon himself. Inc
character OF Faulconbridge suits Mr.. McCul-
Iough's temperament. lie sympathlzes with
the bold frank soldier so intimately that he In
StinctiveIy puts himself in his place and becomes
rather than represents the character he deli
neates. IL Is o real treat 70 see natural man In
culrass on and not appear to he aware OF the TACT
The ordinary actor, as soon as he puts helmet on,
struts about the stage in awkward manner
that procaims to the least attentive eye that
Tough was as easy graceful and natural as though
ne had worn mailed suit all his life and won the
smiles OF beauty in hundred tournaments. His
conception Of the daring, cynical man-at-arms was
quite free from mannerlsms and marked by all the
best qualities OF his acting. The tendency to ex-
IRENE violence in expressing passion was kept
we'll In check, while the careless banter OF the
sodor was delivered with easy grace.
MIRA Booth, as Constance, gave new evidence of
Ter great dramatic power. The role Is an exacting