The New York herald., 1879-02-11
GRAND OPERA HousE-..MExrco."

! GRAND OPERA HoUsE-."'MExIco.
Captain spSaia SS R"ndoph young Southern oissr 80
Colonel rorolo, devoted to the side which succeeds
Captain Tauro his friend and follower Mr. ii. Victor
Dr. pSppss tho Al american I,. sS Mafsy s
ss EseoSio rs
Eahsr rssrS 10 .ro,v L. Barrett
moline 0es0''a '''n'' Miss Marion risks
5sana s PoG Mexican Bsrshs M + Tssy sasy
Judging from the dimensions Of the audience that
| filed the Grand Opera House last night much in
terest has evidently preceded and attended the pro-
duction OF joaquin Ailers new five-act drama.
titled '.Mexico," written for Nine. Elizabeth yon
| Stamwitz and presented for the first time the
present occasion The poetauthor, in the course OF
| his literary experience has written many
| pretty concets and in two instances
shown fair capacity for dramatic construc
ton; but il his effort last night had not been
accompanied by the reputation which attaches
to his name it would be reegatei to the shades from
which revision by competent person only could re-
store it to life AS 1t was whatever the piece pos
sessed of interest due to the unusually hand
manner in which it placed on the stage, its
beautiful scenery and the good acting of Nine. Von
Stamwitz who notwithstanding the fact that she
handicapped by the author depressed by the anxiety
incident to first night and withal was obliged to
speak her principal lines with one whom she had not
met except in a single rehearsal, rewarded by
several recalls and the courteous hearing that an
American audience is wont to give to d eserving
stranger.
Mexico" illustrates phases of Mexican and Amer
ican life during the latter period of Maximinan's
reign Dolores is lady of rank and wealth. devoted to
the Empire and deeply in love with Captain Randolph
He, however, has rival in the pers Of Colonel
Torelo her cousin, who seeks both the downfall of
the Emperor and the destruction of the young
ala
by DR.. Pepper MIR. Ben Magnley), who the bur-
lesque on American Consul made the most OF
Utilities Of the audience beyond half permeating
litter. Barney OShea mr. Lytell also aided
sne to- whaever enoH
| ment attached to the performance. Much credit
is likewise due to Mr.. Thomas Martin for assuming
| long and prominent part ut only twelve hours
notice. in lieu of Mr.. K. c. White, who to have
played Colonel Torelo but was prevented by in dis
| position Miss Bertha Welby gas Juanits, the be-
| trayed Mexican girl, represented the character
with fair display OF art. and Miss Marion
nicely into the general picture. Mr.. Joseph wilks In
| personating General Escobedo, made in quiet way
one OF the hits Of the evening by his manly bear.
less to than somo OF the leading characters es
capped the adverse criticism which rippled through
| the house when they were on the STAGE
| The skeleton of the story has already been given,
and. in the case Of the "Danites," on ingenious
| hand may hereafter work out OF the abundant
terias that are involved in it really sensational
performance. The elements being present it rests
| uouagement
them with greater interest. to cut down bombast
and build up effects rs. n,a thus sely & to s oe
afford the best opportunity for favorable criticism
under the most advantageous circumstance and it
is therefore not to be assumed from the foregoing
marks that "Mexico il not capable OF being moulded
into shape that will amply repay the Judgment
and enterprise Of Messrs. Poole L bonnely in Sc
safe to say that. with their known dramatic cxpe-
rience. they will enter this task at tor the
Of N
canoes the broken bridge across the mountain chasm
and the interior OF Mexican hacienda-that they
have not hesitatcd in making large expenditure for
the purpose OF insuring success.
BROADWAY THEATnE-GEoRGE EDGAR AS
oTuELLo.
At the Broadway Theatre last evening Mr.. George
Edgar made his first appearance Othello in which
he was supported by Mr.. wheeock rs Iago and Mrs.
Marie Gordon Raymond Dcsdemona. The audience
though containing many OF Mr. Edgar's friends,
inclined to be critical and though they found
thing to dsapprove, discovered much that intel
lgent. artistic and thoroughly admirable. Mr.. Ed
gar's approach to his present position upon the
stage-if 1t be said to be already dehncd-
was opposed to conventional methods that we
must depart somewhat from conventional rules of
criticism In describing and analyzng his conception
and acting Of Shakcspearean characters. Previous
to his debut in New York, ten days SINCE he had ap
pcarod four times in public-once he carried a
torch" and three times he played Lear. Practically
therefore. he is novice. aud we must remcmber
that IL his action at times is inconsistent with his
reading of the lines il Is que In great part TO
his lack OF experience in suiting the action to tho
word His conception of Oihello gives evidence of
deep study and intelligent reflection but owing to
his lack OF technique he cannot always execute that
which he has admirably conceived. The needed stage
experience Mr. Edgar may acquire. though it is late
in life for him to seek it's acquisition Our criticism
deals. however. with the present. aud must
jndge his Othello 1t is. 'wc Judge Of
the height Of tho Pyramids" 1t has been
said. ''by the scale OF the human atoms at
| their base." and must not be surprised to nnd
that Mr.. Elgar's abilities dwarfod by the magni-
tude of the task he has undertaken. Now Workers
have vivid recollection of Koan, Forrest and Sal
| vni as the Moor. Though they approached the in
terprotstion of this character with slow steps, and
were aided In its assumption by long experience in
the technique OF their profession. their rendering Of
| the part excited comment and criticism not always
| commendatory. Henry Irving. the English actor.
successful in many parts failed utterly in Othcllo.
To essay Othcllo within twenty days Of his debut
indeed bold in Mr.. Edgar, and say that he
even ~ @ o 81 ~. woa,a pc vastly credit
Edgar's conception of Othello Is midway bctweon
that of Fcchter and salvin His Ia more naturally
i
nothing the barbarian In his jealousy did Salvini
in his grand but repulsvc picture Of the jealous
Though Edgar is not strikingly original and intro
gain effect. copy much II anything that was pecu-
iarly tho invention or his predecessors In the part.
In the third act he does not cast 1ago the ground
when he demands proof. as did Salvini. Neither
| does he, In the NTH act drag lsgo
| TO the bedside OF the murdered Desdcmona.
| as did Fechter In Mr.. Edgar's hands Othello is
more sensual than domcstic hardly civilized, but
yet not barbaric jealous OF his wife than of his
honor; easily impressible, never subtle; cruel In
his disappointment, tender only because OF his
sensuality. In the opening scenes last night he was
exceedingly nervous and failed to invest the part
| with sufficient dignity. This was particularly
| noticed when no commanded his friends
| Keep mp your bright swords,
| The dew will them
They obeyed because of his rank rather than ~ the
effect Of the power OF will. In the later of
| ,xarnaed tn md ANGINA al haldiun tha