New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-24
THE DRAMA.
MIR. soTHERN As FITzALTAMoNT.

MR. sOTTIERN As FlTZALTAMONT.
The mere name of The Crushed 'Trage-
dian covers the whole ground of subject and tells
The whole story Of its drift. Nothing could he better
than DC Lacy Tii;dIiGnorL The heroes OF all the
turgid old rowances,-irom The Children OF the
Abbey" to "Rinaldo Rualdni," and from F!alto the
hhertine TO Vincent Crummles.-siart into life at the
sound Of that title II the intention of the
work 10 rIdicule chronic tyre Of absurdtY, and
briefly TO echo tine constant protest OF all critical
thought-wheh is against the artificial and in favor Of
the artess. Loaded down, alike in life and hlcra-
tnre, with afectation and pomp. the chef
craving OF the noblor spirit Of tins
ace : for simplicity MIR. soihcm wisely recognized
this iocli IN his choice OF The Crushed Tragedian
and the shalt Of that H. has launched.hrough
ms capital pc rsonation OF Acknowledgement grocsque
vacuity Of character the silly assumption OF kind oil
social outawiy the part Of class Of actors aud the
old pumpy. tewig style Of postlring-the Bucks
have al We all" busntss-that still fingers upon the
stage, hits It's mark with absolute precision ana with
del ghtfu c of playful humor The success which the
comedian last year IN TINS part was
very great; and, II the enthusiastic welcome be
slowed on "The Crushed TrageGian by the
numerous audience assembled in the Park Theatre
Oh Monday night may be trusted a an augu y, TINS
success l. now 20 De repeated and increased
solcmuiiy more readily than mrlh lends itself TO
description. This character like most humorous works
l. rather elusive analysis High principle, honorable
feeling aud true goodness heart among It's ele-
ments; yet It's charm does not consist IN iiS serious
attributes. and these are only to be remembered al all
for the sake 4 the Kindness they Inspire ana Tor tHe
Of the comic favor that l. made To HOW OUT OF
their gravity The power Of tie representation
sud certainly. IL is one of real power since, ID
uite of exravagtnce IL is round, definite, VITAL III
terestinc and such a. leaves deep impression OF i
and satirc-residcs great numbered singular humoi-
,u. traits partly inherent IN the authors conception
hut mostly ngrained INTO by tic actors spirit AMI
a. he ASPECT the CUuutfLhitc
4 har ulcss frrOcity. the " Gin-log voice,
he measured walk the hanit OF attitude. The sublime
ceincss-,hese attributes that might. no doubt be
,ezrd and presented boy many experienced actors bnt
c cousiste ,cy OF the mental condition Of man who
bear. ug through hopeless folly. with ncvcrshaSen SELF
northumberland under the pressure OF unumeraoie snubs
only thinks OF the stupid injustice 90 magn iae-and
vbp contrvcs show tins condition IN every Inca
nent action. pose and syableis something that only
an extraordinary artist could divine and sustain MI
so,hern does thousand le things i'm this performance
thar combine 90 show IFS dcpth ~ study, his cearnes'
OF purpose ms rich Vein o. Fun, his RYE and
l.suuiul sk1l. The recital - them would be
ne almost endless enumeration of subtle infections
a. Tie voice set cXrr sious Of thr face. eloquent a
tud.s. ana vastly significant pontoiaime Even them
ucsveel and dro carnrs'ue.s OF spirit coud only be
limited Tlcre ioin auce is as clear as dimond-yei
nod .noud is described merely 0elug called white
l.lt. Ito work. eos Aa. been said. is elusive 10 &c
l-lts 500 Who can sympathlze vita humor however
and 10 rs wholesome IN satire. ~ % the
good o. 1.-THE mood Of auchter. very close to that
u tears. aud tears commonly supposed TO be tie
fr,1r,rcr. oi tuc whole moral and otoual world.
T.eisylvll oi Tle Crushed Tr.selan " Was Effected
vita charming scts Of scenery, and WITH fresh and
competent ci.t. TIL piece is improved by the
lxcs0n of the prof.. cato brothoG-whO IA heard
OF Don't M, secl-Jy the greater proprciy OF
Irtqtqa.onrs oxt through the window OF Mss
il.iuI odsssrs 0Iavuc-Toom, ANA by the comprcs-
son oi thc serious elements OF the rather weak
loye-tory Through watch tae narrative gies Dir soth
en- himself hes mcndod the old detects il
the play. aud. long brooGiug over 10, has
made It more coherent and has written
in many pointed sentences anl puusent half
lines. which are of prooieiOds service as
side commentary and as the emphasis OF M-piay. The
result Is performance that spaiklfs all the way
through. Scrinu. acting IN tributary paris must, OF
course. Doe thwatted dwaricd. aians'ii' OF slch
piece of sltIli,al carclture; ANA this was Tie
ease IN thc work Of Mr. scihtra's coaeintois
vet tacr zeal ald dii much 90 insure tAe requisite
eject of To- central figure. The elaborate precision or
d. Babci,y'. uttcrance was ai that mlrea ms tender
and touching performance 81 tlc old rromper-a part
written fs BENJAMIN Webster, and worthy OF fine COM
edau NJ vs.. Brag nton MADE Dis ~. 81 appearance ID
America. acting sir Nicse CisndcaHi"g. alh showing
himself - ono on whom dignity sits with grace ana
who possesses Doth knowledge o human nature and eX-
oenc- Of the ND Id combined wiki competent probes
sal skill TIE acting OF MIS- julia ,tcwart was uota-
be FOR grace and prOprcty but also Tor lack OF ei-
dernrss Toe arch aud the demurc-perhaps Also
be uert-1re scsted 10y tails actresses personality
q. more closely cous0nant with Lcr silrit. Mr..
RS HII VINO paycd tine lover, pleased 10y tie gentle
proprety OF lis speech and action Tie character al
Ccgtlia Racsett vas admirably given by Mr. Edward
Lamb The dccorum Of the pessonation IN this case,
tmpaas Ia unconscious hu'or Of II ana the preser-
von of the pecuartios Of deafness was noted as per-
f.iv corr,f, vr never tedious. IL viii be perceived
that We record an even. adequate, and highly amusing
revival a. an old avoute. Mr. Sohern was repeatedly
recalled upon the and the floral offerings that
greeted him were scarcely less poiuse than the quiet
out scorcdng ridIoue that It-a"dmo"fS treatment oil
them casts upon this pretty bat tedious cuAtom OF cour-
ksy ia the theatres