The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-18
THEArRs.-Nr. Edwin Booth appeared
last night at the Richmond Theatre for the

l }IHEATRE.-Ir.% EdWfn iBo0fh appeared
last night at the Richmond Theatre for the
first time since the war, and under circum.
stances that brought before the minds eye
in that Temple more OF the pomp, grar-
deur, and mental and social brilliaDcy than
has been seen In Richmond since the pnotid
days Of the drama before the war. It 1as
Booth, and living Booth, at once father and
SON, in soul combined, receiving the paudits
Of one Of the most elegant assemblsges that
ever met in the Richmond Theatre. There
we're audiences once met in the Richmond
Theatre that will not probably be ever ex-
eeIled in critical acumen and refinement !;
but 1t Is due to that which met last night 10
see the gifted Booth that it appreciated him
fully and most delightfully."-.
Booth Was received with manifestation
OF applause chasteued with q refinement and
a respect that showed that the player was an
extraordinary msn-one who brought gifts,
rare gifts, to inspire the soul with renewed
enthusiasm and devotion in gathering around
the altar Of the pure drama and there ofisr-
ing the tribute OF homage.
When the great genius trod the stage and
began to utter his words and display the &C.
tions suited to them, all felt that no common
man was acting before them. His clear
accurate movement that made all clear and
timely, and entirely easy, no plau doubled
every man applauded. There was no draw.
back, no defect. We are free to say
that action rose with the occasion
that heart and soul were poured out where
they were aroused by the drama, AID the
other phases Of temper and meaning were
brought ont with entire accuracy and appro.
priateness in all the successive scenes to that
degree of approval that discovered no oeca-
sion for exception or qualification. -
We have not room for al attempt at
more minute criticism. What would be
the use of It? Booths is the most perfect
Hamlet ever played on the American stage,
and we believe that be bas no superior any.
where. His conception Of tue ply is, as far
as we can see, faultless, while his acting has
been compared bya great critic to that Of
the immortal Edmund kesp. We were in.
deed struck with passages In Booths decla-
mator, but what is, the use OF point
ing them out? From beginning to
end the whole course OF bis speech YVES re.
markabe for that point, judiciousness, anG
appropriateness which brought the c1tic 10
shame whenever he attempted to exercise
the critics office.
Booth was cbeered as people Of discrimi-
nation applaud dramatic heroes. They We're
ever under the restraint which prompted
hesitation. where there was reason 10 fear
that the sacred precincts of true genius
might be invaded by untimely obtrusion.
Once Mr. Booth was called out ke.weeu
the scenes after the interview with HsmIeps
mother. That and the loud call at the close
of the grand entertainment were all tDe call
ing before the curtain, yet the plaudlts were
numerous and earnest.
The whole play was admirably presented.
Opheia was excellent acting; the Queen
was good; PoloniHs was admirable. We
have, no doubt, to thank Mr.. Bocth for
causing Polonius to be acted With some OF
the dignity that belongs tothe courtier-so
different from what he was represented 10 be
In other days.
The audience, we repeat, was one Of the
most brilliant and crowded We have ever
seen in the Richmond Theatre. Theie will
be repetition of such house tonight,
when Richeleu will be played. We rejoice
that, after years of but slightly Interrupted
stage TRASH, we have indeed the true drama:
good for both mind and morals, ard for that
mental and social elevation which society
cannot too highly esteem.