The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-07
.ANTSIrNLN1S.


Tho Fifth Avenue Theatre was on Thurs
day the central point OF attraction for theatre
goers. The benefit performance in the after
noon naturally drew together n large con-
course. for II presented five eminent actors in
the persons Of Mary Anderson Edwin Booth.
u. H. Harkins. John Mccullough. anal
Joseph Jefferson Tho second and third
acts Of "1ngomar." with Mr.. John Nc
Culoueh ns Hgomor. and Miss Anderson
as Idrhenid; the third act OF Othello,"
with Edwin Booth MS Idgo. and Mr..
IInskins as Ohci'o. and the farce Of " Lend mo
Five Shillings." with Mr.. jefferson In the role
of M. GoigHly. furnished dramatic treat Of
Of unusual excellence. so far us criticism can
be expended on an effort Of this kind. SO nohly
made in behalf Of charity. it may bc said that
Mr.. John Mccullough cannot play the part Of
hgomor rs acccptaby as Mr. Mordnunt who
has been appearing in the role during the past
week.
in the sccnc of the third act, Miss Anderson
usurped the situation. and, in the plrase Of the
stage. :. played over him." She did not do this
with Mr.. Mordaunt Mr.. Harkins's Wleilo
was nm excellent piccc Of acting. marked hy
The IdgO OF Mr.. Booth is too we'll
known TO need mention 1t s by all
many pnrts. II he did not play it on Thursday
with an the suhtlcty and brilancy which nj
owing in great measure To- the fragmcntary
amount Of the play which was offered.
In the evening Miss Mary Andrrso =assnmcd
Tor tho first time the character OF Juhd in " Tho
flunchhack." Miss Anderson shows a marked
parliulity for wrll-wOrn roles. but II cannot he
said that she invests this one with my fresh in
trreet. Her performance was remarkable only
Tor the rloqucnce and strength with which She
reproduced the traditional business II the piece
The story never had u more interesting expo
mont. hut II has often enough been told with
krrncr pOignancy and deeper spiritual sig
nilcanco. In all the transient passages which
require tho iulnpratINp mood. the 1uppt
her audience by her arms and her voice: but
deprived Of the significance of the words tho
puntOmimc WAS identical with that Of TdriheHid
The truth If. Miss Anderson appears to have
hut ono set Of expressions for all roles and SO
majestic and resonant nro her gestures and
touch that they ARE accepted with delight, ire
sprctivc OF their meaning.
She did not do lnSiicc to her beauty In dress
ing the part. J,did has every warrant for beau
~ OF costume; hut Hiss Andersnn's costumes
with perhaps the exception OF the airy country
dress pf the first act--wcre neither artistic nor
hair. together with the flowers that had lodged
in H. gave her in tho last act wild and forlorn
appearance that she did not intend and did not
suspect.
Aside from this criticism. the performance
was an evenly balanced md entirely effective
ono Miss Louise Muldcncr. who played the
Uricn. iunde a hit. She spoke her lines with
slight German Gccent. but far from dctracting
added 10 II in tho estimation Of the audience
which nppauded her Vchemrntly. and made
hrr rcapprnr several times. great deal Of
praise cnn be- given 10 the Master Waiter Of Mr.
Frank MQrdaunt, for 1t wns colorcd with n new
Individuality. and WAS discreet and rational no
less than broad and cife tive.
The Flith Avenue Theatre has started in the
soason with iairer auspices than ever SO far
excellence, and the best class of people in the
community are being attracted 10 it, doors.