The New York herald., 1876-11-19
ADJUSTMENTS.
GAS YoU LIKE 1T" AT THE FIFTH AVENUE
THEATRE

"As YoU LIKE IT" AT THE FlFrH AVENUE
The modern proverb that Shakespeare spells ''ruin'
does not seem to be justified by tho production OF
"As You Like II, at tho Fifth Avenue Theatre last
night, for the house crowded in all the boxes
galleries and parquet Tho play passed of
pieasantiy, and tho beautiful scenery was
warmly applauded. The only objection 10
the performance account OF lis length. In
shakcspcnrc's day, we believe, they used TO begin
theatrical entertainment about thrcc O'Clock In the
afternoon. and the public had almost as much time at
its disposal as Mehusaleh. but now threo hours Is
quito enough for play which begins at eight in the
evening We would respectfully suggest tho
cutting OF the play TO Mr. Daily. Even "Hamler can
not be acted as II was written, and as "As You Like
IT. lacks action, is proper condcnse the dialogue.
All that the play needs to make itspell success"
httic condensation, and that IL will. doubt, obtain.
There we're no long waits last nights but shakespenrcs
charming dialogue in the printed page is sometimes
too elaborate when spoken on sho stage.
The atmosphere OF this reproduction OF "As You
Like III is poctical. When wc saw the exquisite
forest scenery unolded with It's bosks and dcs and
glades, we recalled Byrons line. "And Ardcnncs
waved above them its green lcavcsr But this illusion
slightly marred oy the personagcs who wandered
in this most delicious OF all tho dream lands Of pocsy
The play finely acted yet 1t had It's deficiencies.
In the Rosalind OF MISS Fanny Davenport there was
special fault TO be ccnsured. but there was no par
ticular merit bc praised sho was piquan, earnest
and anxious, but shc failed to grasp the
feeling OF that fair wandercr OF tho woods
that sweet OF her blinded love. Her
readings did not express tho wit OF Rosalind
fully, and her manner did reveal Rosalind's pas
sion and delicacy. Tho performance deficient in
poetry. Those who have seen Mrs. Scot-Siddons IN
this part those who know tho mrth OF Miss
Nelson understand something OF the truc man.
in which Rosand should he expressed
but, strange II may seem to many theatre socrs
(who do not remember Garrick, we dol, Charlotte
Cushman the most charming OF Rosalinds. She
may have been old and ugly, but she had The
youth and beauty OF genius She turned the
diamond Iwa 90 every sde rm ana sparksS ,ss
frosty night. 1t only her deficiencies that Miss
Davenport needs TO be criticised adversely. She did
not fall, but she fnilcd TO rse and u will require
furhcr study before she read the lines OF Rosaind
with tho humor, pathos and inciiablc ovcncss they
express.
The finest performance OF tho evening was that Of
Mr. Charles Coshan, who played Orlando for tho first
time, we understand It was Intelligent and manly,
breaks in upon tho rustic ieas. Of The
Duke, and justihes the opinion we formed
of Mr. Cognlan whom no first appeared as
Evelynha. he is the best actor the English stage has
sent this country Of late Mr.. Charles Fisher was
DISAPPOINTMENT as Jaqucs. and did not seem
familiar with the part, as once, In tho dc.
scrip,ion OF the Seven Ages OF Man." he missed
line, and left the "2ood capon" out OF The "iair
round belly" This was trhng FAULT, but Mr. Fisher
| will pardon the odous comparison. we make DO.
| tho best Jaqucs who in our recollection
rallied in good nature at the world MIR. Davidge gave
clever low comedy picture Of Touchstone without
| any especial character and Adam was honor
ably played by Mr.. Hardonberg. MIR. Castle
sang the music of Amiens eharmingy, though
| his voice, accustomed to tho Academy
OF Music IS not adapted TO tho size OF theatre
Celia fairly played by Miss Jeireys-Lewis We ad-
wise Misc Sidney Cowel to walt many years before she
again plays Audrey, for inolgn she understands tho
character she is altogether TOO pretty - do justice 10
its pccnartcs. She must grow older before she can
properly thank the gods that she Ia oul Altogether
LAS You Like lt' successful reproduction, and
after n lew moro performances It will, no doubt, be
vastly improved. 1t pleasure and happiness to
t. to feel that Shakespeare remains
the master and magician OF the stage