New-York tribune., 1880-10-01
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
AS YOU LIKE IT AT wAI.IAcK,s

anu ruby and russet the aster and the marlrold are
IN bloom; late violets shine here and there III the
woodland grass; the goldcn-rod waves in the mead
ows; the dead leaf tiers down upon the cool sill
yer OF the sparkling ,oKs the incesscnt ins. ct
voices sound strangely sad in the silence; co
clouds of snowy shadow move in masses across the
orlii'ant blue Of the Skies the stars
| at night. look large. and seem very lar
away; and all the tine there is a tone of
sadness III the wind Ii IS the season that suits well
WIN the drcam-ke Teverie, the pensive undertone
the wisful cheerness and plecfu gloom Of this rare
and perfect work. To direct the public thought
uron 1t at this ne therefore was at once TO benefit
and to please. And Mr. Wallack has effected re-
vival of the piece that is equally schoar-like and
human--marked. that is, by learning and taste in
the treatment of the subject, and warm with the
iife-biood of passionate feeling The production was
made last night and 1t was welcomed enjoyed, and
enthusiastically applauded by one of the best audi
ences-numerous. intellectual, refined, and respon-
sive-that have been assembled in any theatre this
year.
In all stage representatives of GAS You Like
1t there is sort of dissonance, arising from the
remed less fact that the piece is ideal and the play
ers are actual. This state of things, TO be sure
often exists in other cases but somehow this play
Is exceptional in its poetic quality Lower in mag-
nation, nearer to everyday human sympathy, than
either " The Tempest or A Midsummer Nights
Drcam," it yet is more intangible than either to the
actors grasp and more difficult to hold in perfect
poise of Illusion. Parts of it, of course can always
be acted perfectly well. The first act
and the last are easy enough. 1t Is in
the intermediate sylvan scenes that Shake
speare has sounded his strange, raeful, giadsome
poetic note, which it needs far more than COM
mon instrument to translate. The heart that beats
here is the one that Wordsworth long afterward so
dainty depicted" the heart that every hour runs
lid, yet never once has gone astray." 1t is not
given TO many human creatures ever to enter into
the mood of the BaRishcd Duke, of JdcQaes or of
1ouchs0ne. The background Of sad experience, the
sweet gravity, the rostful resignation, the calm
superiority 10 fortune, the glad and strong enjoy
ment of nature, the half foolish wisdom the half
wise folly, and the unreal reality, which the
blended elements of these m0ods-all this very OBJ
yOusy, calls for unique temperament deeply
schooled in the vicissitudcs Of life. And when
10 think of the larSe-minGed, snmptuous free
dom Of RosGlind-the stately, vigorous, cXuber-
ant physical life, the brilliant animal spirits,
the rich eee and childlike innocence, the intellect
the tenderness of womanlikc feeling, and the
poetry of character that lift her far above and
set her so far apart from the reality of ordinary
woman-we surely cannot wonder that so few per
sons are found upon the stage who can sustain the
requisite illusion Of "AS You Like It," and seem TO
fleet the time careessly as they did in the Golden
World"
The representation that was given last night, if,
without reference to special features 1t be viewed
as to its general character-the scenic pictures the
dressing the earnest spirit, the CONSCIENTIOUS zeal
and the even range of ability with which all the
parts were acted-was far less pTosaic than has
been usual. In fact. this deserves to be re-
corded on these grounds, as the most en-
tirely satisfactory Interpretation of the comedy
that has been in this capital FOR many years.
The scenes were admirable. TAe tree forms and
the woodland atmosphere, in the views of Arden, had
sentiment no less than literal truth. An effect of
morning twilight and the coming Of the dawn,
winch was introduced and is novelty here in the
stage treatment of this piece, very lovely The
artists, Mr. j. Glare and Mr.. j. Mazzanovitch, are to
be named with emphatic admiration for these works.
The sweet and pathetic incidental muse was played
and sung with ripe skill and deep and true feeling
under the direction OF old Tom Baker and had from
the audience the hearty greeting 50 well deserved
by q veteran in the public service and dcyo'ed
artist The dressing sumpiuouS and harm0nI-
Gus throughout and the setting OF the stage
hcightcucd each dramatic point, and gave great
pleasure and evinced unmlS,akab!y the skill of
that guiding hand with which Mr.. Floyd still con-
sores aud design, accordingly, the exhibition was
noble and complcte-and worthy Of any stage or
an puohc III the world.
In specific features though, this represent alton
has often been far surpassed. Since The death of
James w. Walack, jr., and Edwin l.. Davenport
cur stage has had no Jacques. Mr.. Osmond IearIe,
who appeared in this part last night, Is gentleman
of a noble and refined presence pleasantly resem
bling that of the Prince of Wales and his per-
formance was marked by correct and even
brilliant elocution. This gained him loud
paudits and cordial favor. His sense of
the character, however, seemed very vague.
There was nothing subtitle in his acting
no melancholy no blight, no sorrow. bitterness,
10 reminiscent sadness: and his tones, rs they re-
sounded through the theatre, metallic and nflexi
be. touched no heart The requisite feeling may,
perhaps. have been fro. N by n natural trepidaton
of nervousness W, b, .er to think so-for an iron
hound .Jdcoues surely could not be Intended By
scholarlike and experienced actor. Mr.. John Pitt,
acting Orlando and also making his first appearance
here was certainly impeded by the hesitancy OF
stranger facing a strange audience. Nevertheless
he threw forth a certain warmth OF unaffected man
illness and greatly pleased his spectators by of
movement earnestness of sweet and true feeling. |
and fine delivery of the text only defective, per
haps. in mouotOny an thinness of tone The ideal
though was seen to he right and rightly under |
Stood and of the newcomers. MI. Pitt was |
the success. In Mr.. VIII am Elkton's
IOuchstOne II not possible 10 discern either |
auantneSs charm, or wisdom, or character Otltr |
Ihan that of a CONVEX u0nal low comedian. who ap- |
proacbes this strange conception from The clownlsh
pOint of view. There rs no successor here TO Mr. |
Keckeff-nor for that matter. has MI. Wallack ever
vet found sncccs to Montague, IN the other line
of parts Miss Rose COghlan undertook h0SGthd,
and as we understand, for the hrSt ilme FOR sucn
ar efort il was every way credtable. There was |
lack OF individuality. however and of the comedy
spirit, aud OF sparkle and fire. lhe charm was OF
first time on the American stage. III tins genera
lion, the part was dressed arlght-ln wood
land o1,Ib of slate-coor and leather. with crim-
son velvet can and II mace q bcwitcbing figure.
Ihe perfect performance OF the night was the 4dam,
gwen by Jonn Gilbert. Asa whole, tins revival may
I,e sci down ~ a beautiful ard wholesome achieve