New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-28
THE DRAMA-MUSIO.
EDWIN BOOTH AS BERTUCCIo.


The theme of "The Fools Revenge" is dark,
aud even horrible; but 1t is treated with view to high
dramatic purpose and not for the sake of morbid ap-
peal to superficial sensbilities The piece yields, in
perfectly legitimate manner the two great tragical
forces of terror and pity; terror, that dominates the
mind and pity, that soitens the heart; and human
nature is elevated mentally and spiritually, whenever it
is affected through these Most readers are,
doubtless aware Of the history Of this drama 1t has
held conspicuous place i'll Mr.. Booths repertOry since
the Spring of 1864, when, at Nibo's Garden
under the management Of the late William
Wheatley-he first appeared as Berfuccio Mr..
Tom Taylor claims 1t as, substantially. work
original with himself though, admittedly based on VIC
tor Hugos lie ROi sAmuse" The story has been set to
music in the opera of "RigOleJO" There Is some ius-
tan in Mr.. Tom TayOr's text; yet the piece is vgor-
ously written, and it is inspired with swift dramatic
movement 1t presents exceptional phase OF human
nature and It rebukes the wckedness Of all human en-
deavor WELD the fail of vengeance Its chief person
is tenderhearted yet austere man, deformed in body,
and-through appalling cruelty and anguish-warped III
mind 1t depicts his love, his suffering, his rage, his
hate his frenzy, his demonac conduct his tremendous
punishment, and his death Bertuccio has emerged
from the chaotic world OF lunacy, after the
spoliation of his home and is living double
life at the Court OF Faenza ui8S), as
guardian TO his idOzed daughter and as Jester TO the
Duke and the purpose Of his life is TO bring ruin ana
misery upon the man to whom he his own doom Of
everlasting woe. The three acts OF " The tooIs ne
veuge develop his scheme and its results The third
act contains of the most agonzing and terrhc ara
matte situauons-dIamatic because full OF action ana
passion az distinguished from suerng-that have ever
been devised This is Btuccios scene in 'front.' OF the
closed and locked doors of the banquet room, in when
he thinks that the wife Of his wronger is beset by
ucentious drunkards, but in which, as he presently
finds his own daughter-abducted by his own ignorant
devices-s the belcaguered victim. The contrast OF
deyilish glee with the swhurtng fires OF agonized
frenzy is here so potent the imagination ana the
spirit that It's effect becomes absolutely terrhc IL Is
treat dramatic moment, and Mr. Booth Is thoroughly
great in his fulhlmcnt Of all its possibilities His tran
son is like the lghtning-as vivid, as startling as tu
OF thrilling power; and his expression OF deliious
desnair when the aeetaou Of reckless levity is over
borne by anguish and drowned in duplication ana
tears Is among the few achievements that VIII Always
be accounted perfect Art never Interpreted nature
more absolutely than in the acting OF Booth at tins great
dramatic climax. He can express, 10 the last limit the
misery that laughs; and this is TO reach the mountain
peaks Of human emotion. All through his performance
of Berteeo there subtle decacy Of truthfulness-in
the portrayal of the embittering Teacon"y effect that
physical defoTmty has upon man OF proud mind and
tender heart; and this and other eXceences OF the I'M
personation testify 10 his power Of imagination as
a dramatic ar5t-the power, that Ia, To apprehend an
ideal aud lift himself into It and away from the common
place and barren actual TO hear him say. when
Fi0rdese speaks OF his tears, that tits better than 10
that tine stage affords. And there are many points IKE
this in the personaon, that make 1t subtle ana efanu
We need not much dilate the manner IN which MT
Booth was received last night IL was night OF Storm
and his audience less numerous than IL wOud nave
been on bright night But II eager and appre-
| ciatiYe assemblage, and II called MIN out, WIN
great enthusiasm, than six times during tho even
ing And at the close there a tumuit OF applause
The lesser parts in this drama Of little Importance eN
cept feeders II they were not well done they would
be missed; vet being wei DONE they are scarce key TO
be noticed This often tine in human life Persons
upon whom the finest effects depend pass unnoticed and
nnknown-and thew NAV as well get used to It, since such
is tine law of life We will note, however tat Mss
Clara Jennings Mr.. Leyck and Mr.. Fred Robinson con
ributed much 10 excellence OF the general rIec ana
that their distinctive talents obvious, and were seen
with admiration. 1.-The FOOls Revenge VIII DO &c
/ ueated all the week.