New-York tribune., 1875-02-15
THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS 1HEATER-HENRY V.


The superb spectacle at Booths Thcater
drew full all last week. and there Is TO
doubt that 1t will keep for long time. IL Is
tho pageaDtry and scenic display which first
captivate the popular attention. aud these alone would
perhaps be enough to for the representation
liberal of pecuniary success Mgnifcent stage
pictures like the Embarkat0n at southampton. with Its
charming view Of harbor, its richly decked ships
and its knights, mobiles, spearmen, and arehers In hne
contrasted apparel the two battle scenes before ar
neur so wonderfully realistic and animated the extra
ordinary ableau Of the Battle OF AgncOurt whose glory
OF light color stretch away into the distant
horizon; the pomp and vast parade OF the royal En-
trance INFO London and the Betrotha in the Cathedral
OF Troyes, with its brilliant company, It's beautiful
floods Of light and the remarkable effect OF hight and
spacousness produced In the arrangement OF the great
STAGE thrown open to its full extent-these Triumph.
Of taste skill which would be OF appreciation
under almost circumstances But scenery and cos
tune are not by any the only features this re-
yyal OF Henry "" which call for hearty praise
Among forty three speaking characters in the drama
there are, as might be expected few shamblng
heroes and plebeiaD chevalers "th here and there
courtier imperfecty acquainted with the of soap
and the English language but the general spirit OF the
performance dgnied and refined; al honest purpose
to interpret Shakespeare 70 clearly apparent as
the ambition TO exhibit hAe wardrobe and three OF
tour Of principal performers call for most hearty
commendaton h Henry Y OF Mr.. George RiSnold
loses none of its charm become familiar with IT,
Indeed as our eyes grow accustomed to the dazzling
light In which this persOnaton Is set FORTH we see i
good points more distinctly ana rate lis value even
higher did at nrst The greatest merit OF Mr.
Rignolds Henry its ruh!uncss. IL Is true TO Shakes
peare aud therefore C is true to nature Perhaps 1t
no proof of remarkable poetic perception that an actor
should comprehend this bright, loveabe. manly and
most English character, whose traits are 50 plainly
painted not only in this drama but IN Its predecessor
Henry ", ." for Henry Is no perpexing problem like
hamlet; no offers profound study OF psychological
change like Macbeth. But is high merit to preserve
perfect manness, sincerity and nobility Of the
character through drama which abounds, "a this doo
with temptations to bomOast and fustian. Mr. RSuold
never yields to them for an instant He Is eloquent
without rant, and IN tho batts scenes he never
reminds us of the stage IL is always the generous
prince who looks at out OF hs frank handsome face
the minded gentleman who speaks IN his clear aud
musical voice. There two scsnes In par ocular 10
winch his acting will repay close study Oae OF course
is tho love passage, whore the bluff impeuous
oyen and halfawkward w0Oer. his ardent nature
softened and beautaed by innate Gentenes OF SOUL
WAS delightfully."- contrasted with the lovely and elegant
Katharine OF Mile. Girardin. The other Is the nighs
scene In the English camp the eve OF Agincourt This
is one OF most poetcal portions OF tho play The
stage presents exquisite picture tho text Is impres
sve and Henry moving among the dark branches Of
the wood musing by tho embers OF the biyouao bre.
kueeng In prayer half In Jest exchanging with
the English soldier Is in grateful harmony with tho
solemn aud religious Here Mr.. Rgnold showed
genuine artistic temperament aud fine sy mpatheuc
nature.
The Ftellen OF Mr.. Thorno Is Of the most highy
finished bits OF character acting stage hls seen for
long time and 1t has the rare merit so conspou'
Gus in the performance OF Mr.. Rignod-an absence OF
all exaggeraton Nothing could be more delicious than
tho gait tho couutenanoe tho speech, the gestures OF
perky and peppery little Welshman, so brave ana 30
garrulous so comca ana honest Mr Brutone amuses
the audience by his broad Scotch accent In tho part OF
Jomev but Mr. Lonsdae, In the companion role OF Mao
morris fails with the brogue, having bis mouth stutfod
so full OF whskers that he is hardly ablc to arcuats
ANYTHING ut all. However the French Herald AouaDoy
is aggressvely Irish. and 50 perhaps tho balance OF
| things is restored. The hne In which Dame
Quickly describes the death Of Fa!ssa Is ruined for the
Dame leaves all the pathos out Of tho narration. and
| PsloI Nym and BaraopA take this opportunity to
mako tho gallery laugh by whimperlng and grnacinG.
| These however g br, rrcc 5loni5heS uDoL "ea"u