New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-12
The ORA NAN USIC.
MCCULLOUGH AS RICHARD III.

Famous words that once were spoken to the
poet Campbell Justly be written here recognition
of this noble achievement. "Tns will bear another
wreath of laurel yet Mr. McCuoughs ideal of Richard
ILL., Is based on intellect conscience sarionic huinor,
latent sensibilty and fiery physical vitality; and
his execution of it reveals nothing less than a
prodigy OF structural power One test OF innate
faculty in the dramatic art take to be the ques-
ton OF skill to diffcrentiatc character Mr.. McCul-
Tough is nearest himself in y1ginius aud fuIthcs
from himself in R,chard ILL., yet he is equally truthful
TO the substance of both, and equally excellent in tho
method OF its expression Point by point, accordingly
he satisfies the tcrncst standard that critical examna
ton apply. Morbid parts and parts that largely
saturated with Desse may, for long time yet. clash
against certain OF the limitations Of either his
nature his experience; but, where the feelings
involved elemental he moves to victory with the
assured step and spontaneous OF ordained con-
queror Two qualities in his Richard Ill., superadded to
all the essential merits make IL the best the stage
elevation OF ideal and simplicity of style. There is
nothing common in the quality of mind and there is no
Oversubtlety in the temperament. 1t IL remarkable,
Also for Identification The instant this GloSer walked
upon the stage he recognized as cOnsummate type
of nal gnant force His face,as Quin said of Mackn-
was marked, not with lines but with cOriage; and the
blight OF deformity felt TO have difused itself
through every particle of the man. Commingled with
these elements of the viper though the elements
of airy dupcity and of-hand goOd-nature Ihls was
demon malignant purpose and he wore the DuH man
ncr of q winning man-of-the-wOrld; and he wore this
without ever sacrificing poetic ideal to the actual The
version presented was Cibbers but the light
that irradiated 1t caught entirely from
shakespeares original. In the scene with Lazy
Anne the fascination that GioStcr could exercise
was expressed as have seen 1t expressed be-
fore. The glamor was that of an ardent, remorsefu
man, and therefore charm that a woman could appre-
ciae; and no spectator could marvel at the widows
1a la
cling as a piece Of brilliant art, but never, in
our time, so real with human passion. NIr
McCulOughs Richard is of flesh and bood and not TOO
far removed from the es Of men of action And yet IN
some subtle way its spirit suggests, at very earlv
stag in the action nature that preys upon itself ana
has already begun to suffer from the tooth Oh
gnawing remOrse. The whole terrible aspect of
this side of the character stands clearly shown
Of course, in the night scene before the
battle and in the great drcam-sccne but the beauty ana
power Of these passages OF presentlment ana torture are
made enfod impressive because these horrors are
foresbadowed To feel this opportunity i'll Sakespcares
superb mechanism, and to it with decacy quite
equal to that in which is framed is 10 Use to great
occasion; and tins adequacy, without the least reserve
we testify that Mr.. Mccullough exhibited in the whole
OF his treatment of the UNDERGONE in GiosfeTs nature NO
actor can have done more with the dcrum OF the
awakening Its action and the almost inaricalae cries
curdcd the blood of many listener; and the preserva
ton Of the illusion terribly perfect Tie unnt OF
the battle scenes had distinct realism anu the final
conflict was of fearful earnesness 1t is not by points,
though but by continuous sustainment at lofty ideal
pitch that this performance commands its rank. We
give in this quick statement OF its character but faint
idea of its superlative excellence. Mr. MCCULLOUGH was
six times called before the curtain The defects OF the
personation, If such there were, are IN certain
explosive soliloquies but it is not forgotten that
there are freighted with undue violence in Ciobers
arrangement of the piece. Mr. Wardc acted Richmond
remarkably we'll Miss Maud Granger gave Me best Lazy
Anne that has been seen here for years. and Mr. T. n
Collier played buckingham with such spirit that he got
the honor of special recall, at his final exit The house
was crowded in every part.