New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-25
HENRY VIII. AT BOOTHS.

Shakespeare's historical play of Henry
VIII" was produced at Booths Theatre. by Messrs.
Jarrett & Palmer, Monday night The first repre-
senation lasted till 1910. The spacious theatre was
filled almost 70 its EXTREMIST limit by eager crowd
OF attentive spectators The performance was not
smooth one and IN fact amounted 10 little more than
Dire rehearsal of the piece Those whe acquainted
with Henry VIII" know that while good to read, 1t is
tedious TO bearunless perhaps in an eptome, and I'M
less, oven then, the epitOme be brilliantly ae6ed The
piece Is not all by Shakespeare, but in part by John
Fletcher and Ben II exhibits signs Of having
been produced with effort by those who wrote IT, and
aside from the element of moral elevation shake
speares part in IL is not in his highest manner.
II probably was fashioned, haste TO serve court
spectacle, aud please James the First Coieridge-as
profound and reverent critic OF Shakespeare as ever
lived -long ago declared Il 10 be sort Of show piece.
There H. then assuredly need OF any constituencies
at this late day. with reference TO its being treated as
vehicle for scenery That what has occurred in
the revival Of Booths Theatre The prominent ele-
ment IL that Of spectacle. The pageantry Is magnh-
cent and viewed instruction in English history 1t
Is Of the utmost value Viewed, however, as setting
for shakespeares play IL lie found than
It iumnes Notwithstanding that most OF the text,
Il stands In the library edons OF the piece, Is spoken
e this wealth Of garnituTe distTacts the ODserv-
era attention equally from what Is said and
what is DONE There should be fewer words
less picture scenery excellent however. alike
impulse In color snd In sentiment its chief quality
meIoWness II Is like old lace old wine-in this deli
cate aromatic sort OF mental prompting or effect The
abeaus representing the death OF Roseg and the bea-
tac vision Of the Q,senthe based on descriptive
words spoken by Grt, the other on the dreambit In
Fetehers lovely and pathetic seene-are poetical and
beautiful Telbin's noble panorama OF Old London
which ends tho spectaole-is, likewise, superb work.
We're there nothing in it but fair ysage" all would be
radiant AS 1t is-siDoe there great his
torcal persons in the piece, and since 1t con-
tains two three scenes most richly fraught
with character and cmotion-the paint does not
wholly satiste the mental hunger Of the populace
sech mixture, in fact. Of Shakespeare and fresco lie
felt 70 be inhaFmOaOns. Cnrtailment Of the pageant
WIN, doubtless be made The coronation OF Anne Bull
len and the christening Of the infant Elizabeth could
certainly be spared In time. accordingly, the actors
may become vsible They produced but a faint effect
on the opening night. Mas GeBeyieVe Wards Queen
katharine notable for intellect Mr.. TayOrs King
Henry for correctness; Mr.. Leyicka Buckingham for
earnest feeling and strong expressions Miss Eley Cogh
Ans Anne Baiien for pretty face; and Mr. vanden-
mons Cardinal ROlsey for scholarship, delicate discrim
nation a. TO character, ecclesiastical dignity and eab-
o'ate elocutOp. Mr.. yandenhof was, we believe, edu-
e1'ea-at stoneyhurst-fOr the pulptj he certainly
' with perfect grace both the sacerdotal garb and
onafae'ef His performance was the strong
ana truest work OF the night. Mise
~ IDEAL Of Queen Katharine is spirited !;
~ net execution Is brilliant The art, In her
s"'eene' should be recognized, too, beautiful.
a., ueacieney Is In womanlike warmth and In pathOs.
ward seems 10 be Of nature that less readily OK.
ss' misery than active revolt againstit. She was,