New-York tribune., 1877-01-05
THE DRAMA.
s. Fl. KEANE AS RIP VAN wINKLE.

Imitation. it has been said, is the sincerest
kind Of faery. At all events 1t is the honest homage
that medocrity pays TO genius An instance OF It can De
seen Just now at Mr Banvards New Broadway Theater
where Mr. Joseph H. Keane-an unknown actor-ls repre-
sentng Rip Van Wnkle after the manner, as he under
stands IT, OF Mr. jefferson. The result, in mechanical
sense is olerably credahe to Mr Keane; but, viewed
art. is painful. Mr.. KeaDe IL person OF slight
figure, aqulne face hard features dry thin metallic
voice. commonplace talents. and abundant stage expert
ence; totally devoid OF charm and not Interesting 10 the
least degree Thus equipped, Mr. Keane makes up LIS
face and dresses his figure TO look as much a. oss
bic like Mr. Jefferson and being launched upon Rp Van
WtnLIe does substantially the business" and speaks
substantially the words that Mr. JeftrsOns
in this part; and he acts II with something
like the woodland walk, something ike the Hght
smile something like the soft voice. something very
distanty like the delicious humor and something III the
remotest way like the pathOs Of the original that Le
copies He does not indeed chew the ends Of his tat
neckte and therein he his spectators one OF
the most srenuOusly overOne points IN the average i
aton of Mr JefcrsOns Rip but his general intention Is
clearly seen To be copy-and we Should sup
pose he would not be long IN finding out that his
COPY Is superhnous. There hundreds of delicate
little touches in Mr. JersOn acting Of this part which
express the deep tenderness and the high spirituality
of his nature and natural 10 him as fragrance Is
to lily They upon us like the bind motions Oh
an au;Omaton when they are attempted IN wooden i-
itatiOn. Mr. JchersOus sweet way Win cniIlTth cdh
never be reached by Mr.. Keane; has very sell
dom been reached by man or woman upon
the stage Mr. Jcferson's ethereaIized hali-wisiiui
half orular tenderly human, and subty and Welrdy
haunted manner in the ghost scene, IL unl4ueln ura
rnae art: and Mr. Keane does but cuarsey trompe on
beds OF asphodes when bluntcrs into that magic circle
and talks OF" dead Dutchmau" II i an honorable anh-
ton 40 doubt that would f.in preserve 10 new
tunes the image ana memory OF an ola
triumph Of genius but the Gratncauoh
NJ scme OF the noblest forms VI ambition
Is impossible except the spirit be finely touched All
the commonness OF an mcOnsequcnt and narrow spirited
tippler appears in Mr. he mes ED TGn Winke and the
performance could scarcely fail TO inspire ana
Ia Justify al that trte CC domination of an aLemper-
ance emblem and lessor. which purbind moral
lists have heaped upon tne SUBJECT ever
since MIR Jefferson made it famous. Badly
10 copy FORM and not irradiate with the soul tht
into poetry and beauty TO miss the Whoe
pu rpose OF playing; and that is what Mr. kedne has
done in his imitation OF Mr.. Jefferson. Should TINS ac-
tor ever think It worth while to think for himself
he would do well TO consider whether sweet fine
interior quality Indispensable TO the success OF
such a character; and, with due reference to art,
whether inoxicatiUn should not reveal Itself IN mans
voice and movements, and something more than
mechanical hiccup: and whether indrmity and sorrow
ought ot 10 be made apparent ia quality Of tone as wei
AS Ia white hairs ard wrinkles. Mr.. heahe
B not nearly thorough in the mere mechanical part OF
nis work a. would naturally expect pracuced actor
to be- Mr.. W. NJ Ward Derrick, and Miss Adelaide
Eaton as Gretchen, give efficient support to
tuis actor and Mr. Banvard has set the
piece in neat scenes. It will be repeated
TIL the end OF next week and might be advantageouSy
s,ui,ed v those who would see how completely prOsy
mind can sap all the poetry OF ideal and turn the
sweetest romance to the driest Of pine shaylngs