The New York herald., 1878-09-24
AMUSEM ENTS.
"HESRY VIII" AT BOOTHS.

MKrchi of Misy
Lords Ladies Priest.. bishops GUARDS. &c. &c.
The long promised performance OF "Henry Will
took place before q crowded house at Booths last
night, or, properly speaking, last night ana 'his
morning for at midnight the fifth act was yet to DO
given. The acting WAS excellent on the part
OF Miss Geneveve Ward and Mr. vandenhon
in the leading Characters, interesting though
unequal In Mr.. Levick's Buckingham aud Mr. Taylor's
KING Henry, and Miss Ely Coghlan did very grace.
iuy what little tho cramatst allows Anne Boleyn TO
do. Tho scenery not OF uniform merit. but
several OF tho Interiors were remarkably fine, while
the largo force OF auxilares were dressed and util-
ized in the very elective manner peculiar TO this
theatre.
The role OF Queen Katharine gave Miss Ward bet
ter opportunity TO display dramatic force than did
that OF Jane Snore, and sne was fully equal TO the
occasion. Although the play places the heroine upon
the stage for u very little iimc, compared with most
plays, ath ough 1t provides TOR her but lto
variety ot sentmeu MISS Wards action was powerful
and artistic throughout, nor was there an instant
while she was be lofs the audi hcc when she was not
acung Her anxi0ue scrutiny OIL tho Kings face as
he discusses with tho Cardinal the Queens Charges
OF itsel! u revelation 10 thUse accustomed
to SEQ actresses st at ease while not read
ing their hnes Her defence Of herscli before
tie Court aud her subsequent encounter with Woiscy
and peius were ful, OF 1ne defamation and in
passloned acting The death scene, though not once
artistic throughout. Mr. Vandennof as Woiscy mp
penred to better acvautage than IN his previous part
or two in which his attention was divided between
the departing maskers aid tue knK IN his sudden
passion Tor Anue occasionally hv forgot that his duty
was well AS decaim, put hs general rendi-
ton oi the part WINS strong Miss Ely Coshlan, who,
as AGno BoleJ maze her FIRST appearance before an
Anne audience. Is handsome with
charming voice and u rare smile, out she seemed 10
suffer from mbarrassrncnt. perhaps ron being long
upon the stage before having AN opportunity 10
speak, for reason at anv rate, she Jailed 10 I'm.
prove some OF her opportunities Tor action, although
or Two instanc0s she indicated decided caps
city. NE Levck's Buckingham was not equal TO oil
the requirements OF the character, though in
| his denunciation OF WOlsey he was very powerful
Mr. Taylor Henry was bluG, hcnrty and a. amorous
tue much married King himself could have been;
but failed In tho few finer traits indicated by the toxt
| OF The remaining characters Mr.. Curhart as the
Chamberlain aud Mr.. Rich 10 Lord Sands werc the
only deserving special mention on the scorc OF
uniform goodness.
the scenery the principal portions were 10 excel
lent and lnoy painted particularly the council
chamber, the grand hall in YORK Palace, the kings
apartments tho scenes In old Londou In the last
act. The tablsau OF tho coronation OF
| the infant princess were fully as fne as
any iu "Heury w., while the vision oi angels behed
by Katharine from her dying bed IS destined 10 be-
many people the special feature OF the picce
Much remains 10 be dope, however. in Fastening the
action Of tho play before 1t can hold The
attention OF the audience to that degree necessary
10 success. rne changes were made very slowly,
which might be omitted with advantage. AS uct-
ing play II does not rank hiRh among those OF It's
author, who pronounced Its interest ''oni. In the
merc!u construction Of good womsn." Sc, 10 insure
Its spec acular movement can hardly be too
rapid.