The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-16
REYNOLDS BENEFIT.

Yesterday was a gala day at Booths Theatre.
The appearance OF two such iavOrite artists as
Miss Fanny Davenport and Mr.. Rignold In roles
new to the public OF New York, ma uraly drew
together an immense audience. Every seat In the
house was filled and camp stools were placed be-
hind the last row or seats 10 accommodate those
ladies who had not been fortunate enough TO secure
places; but even this resource proved unequal to
the demand. and numbers OF ladies with the cour-
age OF true devotion, stood. wallfower-lke, to
pay their homage to their iavonte actor. There Is
something touching In feminine enthusiasm, aud
unless George R'gnold Is very hard-hear;ed
person his heart must have swelled with graf
iiude when feminine New York received him with
unequivocal expressions OF admiration. An I'M
pertinent Frenchmau, writing OF our ladies' lately
said that n tneir The ads were weak their hearts
were cold;" but the misguided lrog-eater evil
IDENTITY told only half the truth il he told any Tor
fair New York proved conclusivcly that where it
admires IL does SO warmly. Probably the Irog-
eater was ugly ana AID not wear SO line blonue
wig as RIgnold, VINO Is wise IN ms generation and
knows That most men resemble oamson-ln TINS.
at least, that there may be Irresistible
power Ia head OF HAIR. II purchased.
IL Is somewhat trylng on an actor to pass from
Henry V. to Claude Menotte ana theoce to Will
IAN. Ia "Black Eyed Susan,N and IL Is 10 Mr..
Reynolds credit that he 1led these very diverse
roles IN pleasant ana effective manner. some
parts vl his Claude MelnOtte were lar letter man
we had hoped tor ana ms sketch OF the stage
sailor was clever and spirited. The audience
was somewhat astonIsned to lind henry v. play
ing the part OF fiddler ana sailing down the
stage IN good style IN sailors hornpipe, aud
some, no doubt, regretted the breaking OF the
spell whIcn connected the Henry " Vi Booths
Theatre wish the real Henry who did lead men
into the imminent and deadly brcacn.n
The great success OF the day was reserved for
Miss Fanny Davenport, whose Pauline deserves
10 ranK win the best efforts OF that clever and
versatile actress. tier Interpretation OF the great
scene in MelDOtte's cottage alter the marriage
was an intellectual treat. The woman, with ncr
crushed hopes and bitter resentment against the
man wac mao so cruelty deceived ner, struggling
10 Keep down the love that TAD taken deeper root
than sac was willing 10 ADMIT even ~ herself, was
pictured with q IOrce aud realism that must nave
sent thrilt through every heart capable OF esti-
mating the nature OF the struggle gong
on IN her wOnan's heart. IL was q superb
piece OF acting, well thought out, dIgnIned
with grace ana sweetness that won the
attention Of the vast audience and held
the spectators spelloound We hope the oppOrtu-
nifty will offered the public frequently OF seeing
Miss Davenport IN this and kindred roles, Tor the
power with wnicn s1e pictures emotion Is too rare
not 20 be utilized where Itis known to exist.
In 'BlacE Eyed susan Mr.. Rignod was sup
ported by Miss Maud Granger as Black Eyed
susan. Her acting IN the role was very effective.
Whclly free from aneclation, II was simple and
natural 10 the extent or inducing belief IN It's
reality. Mr. ThOrne, in rhe character or Gnat-
pr1ln, was very funny, and contributed hs qu0sa
10 the enectlveness OF the performance. During
the performance Mr.. R1gn0ld returned thanks 10
the American public and press Tor the kindness
shown 10 him during ms short residence IN tnIs
country.