New-York tribune., 1875-09-14
THE DRAMA.
BOOTHS THEATER,
BARRY SULLIVAN AS BEVERLEY.

1t is melancholy joy-and yet it is a real
sne-to reflect that our ancestors 10 whom are In
debted for rheumatism, paper currency, taxation and
other kindred boons did not in their day escape utterly
unscsthed. They are quiet enough now but they had
their moments OF and not few these must have
flowed out of the amazingly bad plays beneath which
pretty often obliged to sagger One OF these stag
gerer OF the first class Edward Moore play OF The
Gamester." which is a hundred and twenty-five years
old and In seeing which. last night at Booths Thcater
the local public caught fearful JOY This is a ponder
ous preachy. didactic. long-wnded exposition OF the
possible consequences of being idiot by nature dupe
by misfortune, and gambler by irresistible impulse 1t
10 impossible in plot, thin in character stilted in Ian
guage. weak la action. and gloomy, TO "a most I'M
necessary degree in tone and in termination The effects
Of psthos which twice atails made by
gesting tender domestic situations ana 10y indicating in
what manner q weak character, good in impulse, may
yield to misfortune. The spectator does not view It's
hero CameSter but a kindly gentleman. soft with
his door knOckeT and not very hard in the head who is
utterly unable stand up under trouble and the sym
psthy that this hero wins.-supposng his lachry
and patudinous surroundings permit him TO win
any,s che pity that is very closely allied to contempt
We need not. however, expcnd words time upon this
old piece II has in its favor but nothing else Years
have passed since was last resuscated Stage legends
associate Garrick Kcmbe with chief parsonage
Beverley and John Palmer with its villain Sfkey, and
Mrs sddons Ellen Tree and Mis- Duff with its heroine
On the American stage Cooper used to play Bererey and
George Barrett played it. and latest OF all James
Nurdock. We know not why any actor should
particularly prize this part IL affords opportunity
for Mysteries and the portrayal OF the mood Of enzed
desperation and the deneation of the phys agones
Of death but surely these not great conditions
closely related Last night Mr.. Sullivan entered
them however, and since be called before tho
curtain as often it fell must conclude that
ne did not essay them in vain. His acting
exceedingly fine, to form and finish,
but artificial in spirit The peculiar rising infection,
which Mr. Sullivan much had in this character,
the effect OF divcstlng many mpassioned moments OF
their suitable atmosphere Of sincerity. The wldness Of
despair the tumbling, sodden rccklessncss and the
death agones we're however. powerfully conveyed by
him, and, though this is performance very far
short Of the merit OF his Richard, 1t is one
that useful displaying his nature and instructive
showing the felicity Of his method Those who have pro-
claimed II his best though, have given currency to
grave error. Mr. sullivan requires the OccasOn-and
likewise the prOpsthat eAist in Shakespeare they
exist nowhere else. Mr.. Cathoart who aT-
peared Stteiey, solemn and ridiculous
pump. Miss Hilbert, who has intelligence and grace,
showed neither passion, power force high indvidu
atty. Mrs Bererley; and must indeed be accounted
dstnct failure in the part-f more than conventional
efficiency may he rightly expected The only person who
appeared upon the stage who was really excelentoe-
cause natural. consistent graceful, and subiy intel
bgent in sot and word,-was Mr. Frederick Warde.
who acted Le,cson Miss Ida Vernon il is proper say
quite miscOnccved the part of Charlotte and was very
ridiculous and spasms and contOrtOns We
must reserve more particular consideration OF this re
yiyal OF "The Gamester"-whch ia not success-to
smother day. The full cast IS IS follows: