The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-09
SOthclIO', at Pesth.

We visited the hungarian theater, a
handsome house with plenty of white
and gold and red velvet. The play was
very curious and even interesting, al
though we labored under the disadvan-
tage of not understanding Il syllable of
its language. The latter sounds soft and
somewhat mouth-iilling, and T. tells
me possesses great feasibility. He also
assures me there are very fine Hungarian
poets and nove-writcrs. But 1ungari-
ans seem to me little crazed on the
subject of their national tongue
To return to the play. 1t was ma
tional comedy-drama, the scenery and
dresses very good. 1t opened with an
incarnation scene, in which a small de-
crepit witch with an exceedingly youth
full voice summoned the genius OF Hun
gary, rather colossal figure in black
and gold, who came at call by the usual
trap-door route. No doubt the dialogue
which ensued developed the plot and in
dicatcd some patriotic object. The next
scene was the interior of a village inn
and introduced an elderly man with a
red nose, cooked nat. and costume of
mulberry -eolored cloth, tunic and tight
pantaloons much embroidered and far
from new, high boots and a sword
This was the low comedian and lead
ing character. With him appeared a
younger man wearing mixture oi
national dress, and the garb of common
place humanity. This pair came on i'll
every scene. They were apparently be-
trayed by the witch, pursued by Aus
trian soldiers, from whom they escaped
in the style Of clownand pantaIoon dodg,
ing the policeman rather than that OF
dignifed political sufferers. They were
sheltered by peasants in picturesque
sheepskin cloaks and fur caps, on the
wild Puszta; were watched by detectives
in Pesth cafe, and had some incompre.
hensible adventures in large wine eel
lar. where the low comedian was headed
up in a cask as a sort OF Comet vint
age, I suppose. But the most remarka
bic incident occurred about midway
through the play.
The scene represented village street
and on the wall of house was fastened
an aftiche. The comic hero then ap
peared, mounted on a tall bony steed
and tried to ride up to the house, but thu
horse would only back, and nearly kickec
down the wing. However, Fidus Acha
tes appeared, assisted the rider to dis
mount and led off the proud animal.
The chief actor then strobe up to thu
wall, and proceeded with many breaks t.
read aloud the placard in very contempt
uous tones; and TO our surprise, w
caught the familiar sounds of Desdemona
Othello, Iago. After some discussion
both actors walked off with the air o
prompt resolution which usually foretell
forcible action in the coming scene.
Thus the curtain fell, and to our as
tonishment the two friends entered anC
were accommodated with seats in the Oh
chestra. Then the curtain was raised
and disclosed the stage set for the las
scene Of "Othello," who presently az
pearcd duly blacked after the Gcrma
mode. As the scene proceeded the muI
berry-colored hero showed much un
easincss. He turned and spoke to tn
audience, who roared with laughter; h
Jumped out of his seat, and was presse
back into it by his companion; but a
last, as "Othello' proceeded with III
creasing violence to the final deed, ou
hero could stand it no longer.
! He started up, he clambered on tn
stage, bounded over the footlights, an
selling Othello in his arms, he whirle
: him to the front, drew his sword, and bu
for the interference Of his friend woul
apparently have executed summary Just