New-York tribune., 1875-08-31
and the ithaca (amateurs,. The game closely
tested, the New Havens winning by OF ~ ,.
THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS THEATER.
GARRY SULLIVAN AS HAMLET.


Booths Theater was reOpened last night, for
the regular dramatic season. and Mr Barry sulivan-re
appearing after OF fifteen yearsacted there,
Hamlet Tho house densey filed, and the
presence OF the Goth Regiment the decorations upon
the boxes, the spirited national music, and the
Celtic animation OF the whole vast assembago gave
1t an uneommonly brilliant appearance. The occasi on
was that OF a festival OF welcome-n which the
Irish and Irsh-American population paid honor
and homage TO q distinguished countryman. These
acknowledgement in motive and pleasant in
acknowledgement us, however. dscordant
with the awful dignity and melancholy
grander Of the tragedy OF Hamlet "a work which de-
rives added grace from association with either the
Irish harp the and stripes Mr. Sullivan though,
hs done much TO distinguish the Irish and 10 illus
trate the Irish mind and no one will grldge him this
ardent greeting from his impulsye countrymen. His
performance OF Hamet-which lasted until IL o'clock,
and upon which We do not purpose TO make eI-
tended comment-vas seen with eager attention and
was received with many indications OF thoughtful
admiration not less than popular enthusiasm.
II IL very remarkable work OF art In
execution-asie from few mannerisms that savOr Of
mummery and staginess-t is Extraordinarily clear.
strong precise and spontaneous In reading it IL exceed
ingly beautiful. Nj Sullivan varies phrase, here and
there, from the text usually given but he does not
aim at originality by tOrurng the language and he
reads the sublime words Of the soliloquies with
fluent grace and delicious intOnatOn. Upon his
apparent ideal Of Hamlet shall reserve observation OF
a time Of less haste. II may be said al once, ,aough.
that the ideal not materially unlike the ed trad
ton OF the stage. Mr.. sullivan makes Hamlet
simulate insanity; and this-particularly at the
beginning OF the fourth act-he does with thrilling
fidelity to nature and with great effect upon the emo
tiOns Some of his illustrative stage-business-such as
the tearing aside Of the Kings robe the climax Of the
payscene and the show Of tenderness toward ophela
their parting,-s unusually fine in its intention and
its effect denotng his fine intelligence and his merveous
capacity OF finish. In person and bearing Mr.. Sullivan
IL eOnne courtlY, graceful, and refined Has eyes are
gray bright keen and full Of strange fire. His cOunte
Of that square type often encountered In por
traits from the days of Queen Anne. He dresses Hamlet
in purple and black, and wears brown hair
cured and flowing His performance Ia admirable for
a consistent and sustained Identification. The grim
humor which now and then breaks through the melan
choy Of Hamlet this expresses better than any
representative Of the part that has been seen In
our time. The poetry OF the character he
docs express at all The quality Is intellectual and
also weird but IL is pathetic and lacks nspr
alton II we add that in Mr. suiyans Hamlet there is
more Of the king than the prince, and more
OF tho man OF action than the nerveess
dreamer. whom supernatural solicngs have shocked
and for whose quiet, intuitive nature the
NY seres OF life and death burdens too great to be
endured, shall sufficiently indicate the estimate we
have formed OF it from seeing this first performance AL
that form can attain ls attained IN thIs "Ofk' lhe
question OF its spirit viii probably be one OF con-
troversy for some time, in critical circles. Mt
sullivan thoroughly we'll deserves bis reputation
as shakespearan scholar; and. though LIE
does not rank with the marvels of human genius, he
hold his place. with power and honor among the greatest
artists of the stage.
At the c.ose OF the performance last night, MI
Sullivan was called out, and he made graceful
hearty speech OF thanks saying, incidentally that he was
unfortunately suffering with throat, but that be
would hereafter make amends for all defects in his elo
cution Hamlet will De repeated tonight. Richelieu"
will be given on Wednesday and Thursday and Rich
ard Ill" on Friday and Saturday torchligh process
sion fireworks, and a serenade by the Goth Regiment
Band supplemented the performance OF " Hamlet"