Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-24

Lawrence Barrett.
On Thursday evening the theatre-goers of
Augusta, are to be RECALLED with a rich repast
IN the rendition Of w. d. Howeli's sparkling
play, "Yorick's Love" This play is one in
which Mr.. Barrett has achieved his greatest
success the present season. and which ranks
a. one of the best in his repertoire. His an
pearance in Granite Hall will doubtless call
out large audience Of Augustus most cult.
waited and refined citizens. The sale Of re-
served seats began Yesterday at the Ameri-
can Express Co.'S office. The following de.
scription Of 'Yorick's Love- is taken from
the preliminary announcements of the Park
Theatre. where Mr.. Barrett has recently
played brilliant engagement of fortnight's
duration:
THE persons in this drama are actors ::
time, Shakespeare's day: place, London
scene. an actors home, and the stage, first
behind the scene-the new play, supposed to
BE- reforming to an imaginary audience. and
afterwards to the real audience in front, where
tragedy is enacted which has been plotted be-
hind the scenes. and naturally weaves itself
into the new play the company Of actors are
now engaged in playing for the FIRST time
The motive is jealousy; first. professional,
which makes the plotting villain; and after
ward. domestic, which drives an actor in the
murder playing scene to enact q real tragedy
as member Of the theatre company. He re-
ceives the cue for the play-fragedy in the
shape Of a real letter, and his own household
names, instead Of the play property letter. and
the result is genuine tragedy in a new play
upon that old stage. The blending of the fic-
titious and real elements of the play are its
strong original features. and the dev elopment
of genuine from the simulated passion is mar
vellously well done. The starting-point of
the stsry is that "Yorick." noted comedian,
believes he can act tragedy, and gets himself
cast for the tragic part in the new play. This
offends the leading man, who plots disaster
to the comedian. ''YOrick's" wife, much
younger than himself, and foster-son, whom
he cherishes as his own. are also actors. and in
the play. They were lovers before ''YOricks"
marriage, too, and still love in secret but the
only wrong they do ''Yorick" is in the scnti-
ment they cherish for each other.
These are the materials with which the
plotter works, using the plot and business of
the new play as tool and weapon. Recent
the play has been infinitely strength
ened in the first act by the introduce
ton of domestic scenes illustrating "Yorick's'
family life, and love for his wife and foster
son. thus stimulating interest and creating
sympathy. 1t gives the motive breadth and
depth whom the trouble comes.
The climax Of the second act, which Is
tempest Of defamation, has been arranged
much for the better. The third act is as it
originally stood and could not be improved.
Altogether. it is a great play, and no English
drama of latter times compares with it for
dramatic strength and beauty of language.
MANY of the lines are Shakesperean in cast Of
thought. directness and force. and the modes
Of expression are in harmony with the Eliza
bethan age.
1t is a pleasure to listen to such breathing
thoughts and burning words Barrett's "YOr-
ick" cannot be too highly praised. 1t is an
original creation, and totally unlike anything
else that Barrett does, or anything else on the
stage II stands alone as n dramatic figure,
and hears the STAMP Of genius.