New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-19


Impersonation, then. is a soft humanity and sweet
good nature and the traits that has especially
emphasized are ludicrous vanity and comic treplda-
ton. He never leaves IL moment untitled with
action when he is on the scene. aud all his by-play
is made tributary to the exp essDn OF traits
One of his fresh and def touches IS the triilng with
Captain A6sOlHtes gOd-aced hat and obviously t.
the eye-conslderlng whether ID would be becoming
10 himself The acting ~ full of these bits OF fellc
itous embroidery. Nothing could possibly be more
humorous or more full of nature than the mixture
Of assurance, uneasy evity and dubious apprehen-
Sion at the moment when the challenge has ut last
aad rrevOcably found Its way into Captain Abs0tates
pocket The rueful face then is study
for n painter. aud only a portrait could DO
il justice. The mirth Of the duel it is impos-
sible to convey. II must be beautiful art indeed
which can arouse, at the instant, this does.
an almost tender solicitude aud inextnguishable
laughter. The little introductions of a word or two
here and there in the text made this point by the
comedian are delightfully."- happy. TO make Acres
saw that he doesn't care how little the risk IL
was simply an inspiration and his sudden and
iOyOus greeting, How are You, Falkland, with
the relief that il implies and the momentary return
of the airy swagger-s stroke OF genius. The per-
Torrance, altogether. as exquisite piece of
comedy as ever has been seen, IN our time You do
not think. till you look back upon it, how fine 1t Is
tain the illusion of real life.
THE MERITS OF MRS. DREw's ACTING
Mrs Drew has treated in the same earnest spirit
the character of Mrs. Aaiaprop, and it would be
difficult overstate the merit of her performance
Ii as fine as anything of the kind possibly be.
The dressing is appropriately rich and in suitable
taste. The manner is dec0rous and stately The
personality IS decidedly formidable. The deport.
ment Is elaborate and oYerwhelming-as IL
should be. The delivery OF the text is
beautiful In it's accuracy and finish. anu
IN its unconscious grace. The word Is always
matched by the right mood and not one single
bluuder in what this eccentric character calls her
Orthodoxy 10 made IN any spirit but That OF feryent
conviction 1t was worth the journey to his place
merely to hear her say " He has envelOped the plot
to me, and he will give You the perpendcuIars"
The bit of illustrative stage business with the letter
giving to absolute, by mistake one of the love
letters of OIig instead of the intercepted episte
of BerTley-was done WI tn brdng shipper and an
antique blush that were irresistible The pervasIve
excellence of the work is its intense reality, and
this redeems the OF the character ana
the arcca qualify 9t It's text F%r +t te npSI tune
have the part greatly acted before now; never
till now have seen 1t lived.
TIE OTHER ACTORS AND ACTRESSES.
The other representations are not level with those
Of Mr. Jefferson and Mrs. Drew but Dir. Frederick
Robinson Will be remarkably fine in Sir 4RthOny
ABSOLUTE when he has gained repose in it, and also
somewhat more Of the mellOwuess Of age. His
choler and his humOr are both Capital Mr. Wayerly,
as SIR Lucils, could advantageOusy be more elegant
and more IRISH, and Mr. Barrymore, as Captain Ab-
sOfe would better please In beng less Hurried and
more PLAYFUL aud IN allowing tie face to EXHIBIT
some variety Of expression. His Occurrences though.
is to he named q special merit. In the hOodwlnk-
ing scene with Sir AHthOHy; and Mr. Roblrson's
charming management OF the dubious, pa ising
moments Of suspicion in that scene, gave II a
glowing color and a warmth OF hnmor
that was very captivating. Miss Rosa Rand
was more successful the sensuous languOr OF
India Languish than in her vivacous petUlance or
ia lf-n nTtllTf
ne little that Mr.. Tdy lOr had to do, Falkland
was done with property of action aud mood. Mr. |
Tom Jefferson. if vet little sef-c0nscIous. was
CAV and effective figure, as rig, and he male his
safIrcal exit with such skill and effect as pr0mlse
good comedian Mr. Galloway had only the fault of
excessive cOuscientiOusness, as Ddrid-makng the
part prosy and slow: and Miss Adne Stephens only |
needed ginger TO make her performance OF LuCy as |
pquant and telling 1t was pretty and tame. How
ever these actors al work together. with splendid
zeal and in harmony with clear. dominant purposes
and his presentment of " The Rivals, winch Mr. |
J Jefferson will take through the country the sea-
son progresses -cauuO- fail while lmpartlng pleas
ure s il passes 10 teach the noble and salutarY les
son of what thOrOughne and sincerity can accom-
plIsh IN the ministry of art. Never 10 slight any
thing we do but to 20 20 the depth and height Of
the subject and BRING out all its meaning and all ITS
beauty-that Is the lesson If this splendid success
wi one of the everyday plays Of our theatre The
wild flower that grows by the wayslde, II Won but
nurtnre 10 Alright, will reward your care hundred
fold IN loneliness aud bloom. W.. W.