New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-07
CENTRAL FOREIGN NEWS.
EDWIN BOOTH IN LONDON.
MANY ARDENT ADMIRERS OF IEvING PRESENT
BOOTH TO APPEAR AS RICHFLIEU EEAL
icy CABLE TO TRIBUNE.l
G 1880.

MANY ARDENT ADMIRERS OF IRVING fkEsENl-
BOOTH TO APPEAR AS RICHFLTEU NEXT
10y CABLE TO TRIBUNE.l
LONDON Saturday. Nov. C. 1880.
Mr.. Edwin Booth, the tragedlan, made his
bow to a London audience, at the newly-bult
Priucess' Theatre tonight, and received n Hat
terug welcome vast amount OF interest,"
had been felt in this event, not only because OF
tie actors great reputation in America and his pos
sbe rivalry Of the much-adored Irving, but
because Of the great name he bears. Inc
name of his father, Junus Brutus Booth IN
English dramatic annals holds forelposl
place As You may imagine. therefore. the
elaborate and beautiful new theatre was
flied 10 overf1wlng. A great portion
of the audience seemed to belong to the aesthetic
CLIQUE. who beside being conspicuous
for their remarkable antique and ugly
costumes. with frzzled hair, sashod sleeves
and wr.atb-entwIned heads, are ardent admirers OF
Mr. irving and had evidently spared neither effort
nor EXPENSE in procuring tickets for the first night
The house presented a gorgeous appearance, and Is
undoubtedly tie most beautlfuin London. with the
warm rich c,lors in the corridors saloons anu
stairwavs and the artistcally furnished refresh
ment room and public smoking room, with balcony
looking into OXford-st Tho poverty Of the scenery
and the garish costumes were in unfortunate con
trast with the front Of the house. Londoners
the elaborate and beautiful stage pic
lures of the Lyceum and the costly and harmonious
costumes winch form SO marked q feature Of all
the olavs which Mr.. Irving produces that any, other
performance Of the same plays must fall short. Bur
II r7u4t be remembered that Iir Irving is his
own manager and has u great capital at his hand
for any artistic fancy which may occnr to HIM 10
heighten the effect Of his ser scenes and groupings.
Tins ir happens that those who saw Hamlet"
nj the Lvceum during its extraordinary
rnD missed the rich effects and acccs-
sories which went so far toward making
the success and so los, great dead OF interest III
| the piay at the Princess Theatre.
Edwin Booth however. was himself. Of course the
central point OF interest and when first he appeared
| on the stage he received a welcome th4t
| lasted for nearly minqt,, VINE r.
was "A welcome perfectly spontane0us from all parts
| OF the house To criclse the Derformancr or 10
rye vou any idea tonight OF what Mr. Booths
success viii be IN London would ne qute oul OF LhG
orostion. Ire probability is that lis success Will
| not be declded by MS Hamlet
Irving, who. in spite OF his unpleasant
eiccutiouarv detects, gave Hamlet Won
drous geture.aglqne'T al and aTii.iic mslbo5 Of Of
elocution which Mr. irving might well
study but at the same time he brings
/ with him the old traditional mo DDS, gestures
| and business whch ONLY exist as a memory ou the
| English stage and can never be revived. thus we
have the remarkable ltc l'' 1II' D",'n D'ili-'
| To England, though dou2llrSa hncH lLodiic"' Ihe
| very method oi playing Hamlet which evoked the
enthusiasm Of the p st generation Of theatre goers
| The LondOuerS Judgment Of Edwin Booth, how
! oyer will uOC be known until Monday morning.
! when criticisms are published. TIL then we
may record the fact that be ma ie 9eTeral brilliant
points new 20 London audiences, aud sad
| recalls after every act aud ar the close MS.
Hermann VEIN played the queen charmugy
| and Nh Edmuud LeatAe'o was an excellent
! Lacrtes. Mr.. j. Beauchamp played HorG4o
! which was originally intended SO be filed by
| Mr.. Charles Harcourt. Miss Gerard as CPhc''d
| made one of the creates, successes obtained Dy
let will run until the 18th, when Richelleu" VIII
| be produceG.