New-York tribune., 1876-09-02
The DBAMA-MUSIO.
p soTHFPN "A DAVID GARRICK.

MR.. SOTHERN AS DAVID GAhhlCh.
The privilege of seeing Mr.. Sothern's per-
sonation Of DaUd Garriek VIII not be long afforded TO
this community ad persons who study and delight in
the art OF acting should make the most of It, Some OF
the important principles and exquisite beauties OF
that illustrated BY this performance and even
II possessed magnetic warmth Of sou but were dest
tute OF fascination. It would sti be remarkable and
valuable for technical fecies Mr. Sotherns tempera-
ment being aptly fitted for the expression of pathos
than Of eccentric humer his presentment OF Davd car
,iek "a somewhat deficient in what may be called the
rupdswell of passionate tenderness but 1t Is very
manly simple, and winning IN the tender moments, ana
An Ali the other moments it is exceedingly brilliant
Tn the first act bis method is purely that OF high com
:. adv and affords really splendid example Of delicate
sxaeeeration and gttering finish The beaIing-slighty
astare tempered with graces an perfect keeping
with the ideal scholar, gentleman man OF genius,
a. actor who Is conscious OF confronting prejudice ana
gnorapce and who therefore retcent OF his own ind
sdua.v and dangerously cognizant OF the coarseness
th which he chances to surrounded The bearing
otah,e too for les accurate reproduction OF the arnca
manuers OF high society In David GarTicks ume' Mr'
sothern dresses the ue gentlemen OF the last century
dressed and he moves and stands they are Represented
70 have DONE Yet kts bis portrait above the actual
Ne Is not photographer. His GarTScs Is an ioea-a
selection OF attributes deity blended and making man
at his best His art also conceas art His points are
never seen TIL made and they are made 30 heay 'na
the observer at loss TO determine how they nappeneu
The repose is profound. consistent and complete ano
staady animated with purpose The high-bred ease the
entye with which he listens to Mr. Ingoes
storv the quiet OF glance the subtle nnec
tions of voice. fgidy which, without oensivenes
and without iibreeding. rehukes vugariy ana aomi-
mates coarscness and these exhae supe
rio.y Of nature and all these arc expressed with dell
eious precision OF art.
Tn the second act Mr. sothern depicts With astonishing
ndey the physical tokens OF inebriety making them
toerable by comic humor and preserving through them
all the refinement OF gentleman saVini win MS vast
emotional nature and his grand tragic powers made
greater effect In this passage, when he played TINS
under its French title OF SeHiUan: that Is to say ne
handled the art of transparency with more passionate
yieor making the struggle In the actors soul more
sronIntng and more visible and herein was denoted
what indeed had eenreeognized before, the drecton
IA which Mr sOtherns persoDation has room 10 grow
He could not however, be truer TO nature than ne Is IN
his portrayal Of drunkenness. and he makes tne pApe
nary Of the situation very effective and lamentable
In the third act the situation exacts deep melancholy
which Mr. Sothern feels deeply and Stimulates we out
does not strongly convey It also exaes great dignity
and sweetness-such naturally invest noble charse
ter when 1t tested by internal conflict intense sunerne
she mandate OF duty the celestial resolution OF SELL
saeoe and to this exAetion the comedian proves en-
tirely adequate There might be more gloom and more
passion In this phase Of GaSvs experience ana ceno
ton there could be more dignity or moro soTrowru
gentieness than infuses into the scene As
comedy the performance is Of the best that the
stage affords 1t might be censured here and there oi
what it is not: It only be admired and that most
heartily, for what II IA
The comedy OF David Garr3ck taken from the Ger
man Doctor Robin and the French sullivan "-was
in this FORM for Mr. sOhern by the late and always
tenderiy lamented Tom Robertson. hr sothern nret
acted the part in this country Feb 8, 1878, st wal
lacks Theater Mr. Gilbert played Enco in mastery
manner and the intellectual and brilliant Katharine
Rogers played Ada Igot Tue revival OF the piece NJ
the Fifth Avenue Theater has been effected with snowy
scenery and good cast Mr.. NJ. C. DAILY is surprisingly
good as In0ot and Mr.. Davdge, Miss Deand, Mr. Frank
Bennett and Miss wyndham, In the postprandal scene
are decousiy droIl-wth traits of character and In
voluntary bumor. For achrymose comicanty Mr. Ben
nett should prove sterling acquisition while for tne
Fanny squeers and Minerva Crane style OF parts MISS
wyndham is perfectly adapted. Mr.. Edward Lamb a
comedian Of rare talent always seen with pleasure IN
character parts that require droey acts sqre on'o
ana ves the real drunk aud adds much to the sharp
effect Of the whole representation OF David Garrick