New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-05
THE DRAMA-MUSIO.
THE DRAMA.
WRIST APPEARANCE OF MRS. RoUsBY.


,saA,iA In Mr. Tom Tayors historical drama entitled
~Tsixt Axe and Crown" The night was murky, hut |
the theater crowded. and the new actress had an
attentive respectful, and kindly welcome. Tnis she
would have received irrespective Of the least eonsdera
ton Of Desserts but, before her performance endeo
many hearts must have been glad in the remembrance
Of having given gracious greeting to 80 much taeo'
beauty, aud WORTH without being great actress MIS-
Rousby is, naturally, good one-sensitive, appreneh
sive, ductile, various and cultured-and IN char" :"
character and in simplicity and earnestness OF arr she
one Of the most engaging and interesting performers
whom England has sent 10 these shores Her success
was uneauiyocal She was called out six limos ana pJ
honest applause
~Twixt Axe and Crown" was acted in September
1870 for the first time In America, at Wooos MUSEUM
and IL has since been represented In many cities Oh 'no
Repubic-so that 1t is wholly stranger It's merits
are positive ana uneQuivocal 1t stands In the 'front.'
rank of modern historical plays In treating facts 1t
respects the truth OF history; but being work OF art
NJ reveals those facts through the medium OF an IDEAL
lied atmosphere Its language Is mostly blank verse
Is action is rapid and strong. Its chief situations are
vital with dramatic power-bending interest contrast
emotion and sympathetic effect It's form is symmetrl
ral II is ia Ave acts covering period OF five years
1853 to l55s--and it tells complete story terseF'
and without breach Of probabiity-giyng representa-
tive incidents In actual experience, ana s"athinH
each incident IN its peculiar aud natural surrounding OF
emotion, which is Its life. These truths denote al uu
mlrably sound dramatic work Tle defects OF II are
that there is too much talk in its dialogue that the
poetry the clever mechanic poetry OF afaneltu lh'e
leet rather than spontaneous ebnliiOn OF poetca
Eenius that subject is the experience OF queens
mobiles aud statesmen. more than that OF human De-
ings; that It's web OF sentiment romance, diplomacy
politics and danger lacks thread Of humOr; and that
s liberal use Of phrases the quaint, fantastic manner
the sixteenth century gentry seems excessive almost
TO the verge Of absurdy But these defects do not de
feat the intention of the pieccwhch is to tell ORA
lnua nd
suggestively. mOmentOus period OF history
and to Get interesting characters in the strong
clef OF contrast, under exciting ana plctuiesqe
circumstances. That intention 1t accompnshes; ana II
also has this informing and vitazing enoct, that IL
causes the attentive and thoughtful spectator to realize
through what peu turbulence jand CONFUSION religious
freedom gained its first fOothod in England The play
that accOmpshes this result Is surely more than An
ordinary production. Add that its scene and tme-the
city and neighborhood of London, the Palace OF ST.
James's Ashbrdge Manor the Tower and Ha' field Hall
afford occasion for its embcliishment with pictures
from the Tudor period Of "timOererossed Antiquity"
aud the of its attributes complete Mrs Rousbys
advent welcome on the of her freshness aud talent
Ia likewise peculiarly welcome as the barDinger oi
renewed success for excellent play
Elizabeth TddOT's appearance upon the stage has
come to be somewhat facetiOus She commonly
emerges on the mimic a vinegarfaced shrew,
% a peacock ruf-wbOis insuferably arrogant and In
toward every civil person in her neghOorhood;
Gus as drunken fshmOnger; and for whose crean-oi-
tartar smile two or more nicely decked nobemen perk
and buster at each other, in the middle OF the stage,
Ike a couple OF hantum cocks in prize pit. Tue
drama Of AXE aud Crown" IT'S comfort TO see pre-
sents her IN different and lovier light. In this she
a Princess, and not yet Queen; heir-apparent TO
the crown Protestant and suspected OF participation
reasonable conspiracy against her sovereign sister
the innocent, high-mnded, magnanimous central
ngure 10 political plot; handsome, sweet
at0ntaed eirljsh woman who loves and
u loved again, aud whose holiness OF
character honesty conduct, sweetness Of tempera
ent honorable pride, religious principles, and serene
atieuce under the yoke of adversely, make her Oh
eet Of sympathy and deep respect, and are seen to
,ude her safely through and traps that
set encompass destroy her life Her Overs Edioard
Courfaeu the Earl Of Her enemies carat
aer the Bishop OF Winchester IA trescherOus and cruel
rreI,te whom bluff King Henry detested, but unfortu
pately did not extngWshl and Simon Rendrd the en-
yoy Of the royal Spanish monster Philip the Second
Her fate imprisoned in the towers TO be watched
by spies; to be tempted through love- 10 stand firm
betwxt the side and the crown on the other;
and TO attain at the throne OF sovereignty on the
blight OF unblemished honor
IL Will be perceived that the part exacts from
"a representative intellectual character, innate rehue
meui, fine reticenoe Of demeanor relieved by
sbps OF fiery energy and natural passion, magma
ton quick TO perceive dangers and will potent to con-
tro events. beauty of person. aud complete identified
ton with dekcate ideal Of royal existence and man
ners The parsonage sought to be conveyed is largely
kaealwith foundation OF fact. The actress CLEAN
something from history but must impart more out Of
her gn spirit. Herein think. IS found the success
Of Mrs Rousby she shines through this character, by
virtue OF a pure and lovabe temperament or lndlyid-
ualty which education has developed in the direction
Of taste principle, and religion. In other words she
seems by nature gracious princess and sweet woman
This much accomplished by conditions and as TO this
MR. Rousby impressed a person snguarly
b,essed and commend lbe. The must be accom-
olished by action With reference her achievement
Ma this there may be room for difference OF judR-
ment To us she lacked In the power OF giving great
expression to great passion; but In intensity and
IN the power Of pahos she entirely adequate The
.uations in Ills NJ ~ which call for action those in
which the Princess though loving the man. denounces
the treason be would practice in her behalf denes the
preate parts with Courtney; and defeats the malice of
her ecclesiastical foe. Toe peculiarities Of artistic
method and the attributes that she showed in action
turipg these scenes were many. few OF them must
,u(flce 10 describe her She built up the character
slowly, and without points She unconventional in
everything Sac spoke the words with profound sin
serty perfect intelligence. Her smile full OF
yunshine. Her voice extraordinarily sweet The
moral altitude TO which she never the least
artificial She seemed goodness personifed-and her
roodness was pquan with grace In carriage Of the body
.be was ike an impetuOus girl In gesture she
esy that her gestures could only be noted by the
fortunate professional that is doomed to
thing Her slender person. hgh-bred aqune face, SAN
ruine blue eyes aud golden hair. and all her costly
sdornmens-aways taste and expressive Of character
and condi;ion-nade up fair type OF elegance as
sould be fancied a queen The conquertng
charm with which she victory sweetness
fbs suused the loyescenes with Courtney irradiated