The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-27

WE'LL PERFORMANCE.-1fSa Nelson closed
her engagement here last evening with the
play OF Romeo and Juliet; and it was, with
out doubt, the browning effort Of her short
stay in Richmond. The house was crowded
from pit to dome with an audience such as
is seldom congregated within our Theatre.
Miss Nelson had already in her two for
iner performances charmed our Richmond
people, but last night she fairly captiYated
them, and both she and Mr. Plympton were
time and again called before the curtain
amid the most enthusiastic plandits Of her
admiring audience. The crowd was so
be removed below the stage to make room
for the many who could not find standing
room; and altheugh they played between
the>acts the music was scarcely audible to
those nearest the stage.
Miss Nelson's Juliet Was.a grand, taste
fRi, and faithful defineation OF the ardent
and passionate lover. It is her fayorite
role, and the degree of perfection to which
she has attained in it, and the success which
attends, her. efforts, can alone be the result
OF long and intelligent study. .;.
Mr.! Plympton's Romeo. was most cred
liable representation He has fine. voice,
and his enupciation was distinct and clear
His: bearing was gallant, his speech not
wanting in passion, and bis general render
ing very effective. it. ,..rt.; III
The, ,reskot the cast Msa very good indeed: M ed:
The Nurse, Mercntio, and Peter were par
ticularly so. ~" 80
b At the end Of the performance Miss Neil
son was called before the curtain amid
perfect storm OF applause, and cries OF
"Speech /" .'Speech /" were heard from
various parts OF the house. She came for
ward, and in q most graceful manner
thanked the people OF Richmond for their
cordial reception, with which she was so
pleased and 1attered that she must say, with
Juliet,
"Parting is such sweet sorrow
That will say" Goodbye TIL cope again.
Many are not aware Of the great reputa-
ton Miss Nelson enjoys in Europe as
queen Of tragedy. The London AtRenocan,
as an authority of the highest order, IN
speaking of her appearance at the Haymar-
ket in Romeo and Juliet, says:
"Miss Nelson's Juliet has undergone
little modification. In the early scenes it is
still noteworthy OF giriish gaiety and light
heartedness, through which passionate
temperament is revealed. At the close it
rises to tragic intensity, in late years not
often rivalled. But for slight suspicion OF
over-sweetness in one or two passages
especially in the eaiolery OF the nurse,
always overdone On the modern stage
the character of Juliet, as she stood in
the flush Of amor0us maidenhood, is fully
realized. In the scene in which the Friar
suggests to Juliet the means Of escape from
the dreaded marriage with Paris, the face
OF the actress is study. Doubt, misglv-
ing, and alright chase each other across 1T
until the mention Of Romeo, and the glad
thought that he will be ready to clasp her
to his bosom, overcome all shadow Of scru-
pie, and bring back to her heart and face
some of the glad light Of early days. In
the scenes Immediately preceding this, when
the girl listens hopelessly to the stern COM
mands and cruel threats Of her father, the
actress is seen at her best. Her look is
dazed with sorrow. She takes in imperfectly
what is said to her, and as one avenue after
another to which, like some hunted animal
she turns is seen to brfstle with spears, a
smile of heroic resolve breaks forth when
che remembers that death at least remains to
enable her to escape the menaced calamity
| After speaking OF her expression in the
potion-scene, it goes. on to say: owe
can conceive Of this scene being acted
with more reserve and force. No living
English exponent has, however, rendered il
equally thrilling, and it is possible that, will
less expenditure OF effort, less powerful.
result might be obtained"