New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-04
TIE LOCAL STAGE.

In the record of last week the most brilliant
feature was Nj McCullOughs performance of King
Lear. which was described this place five days
moo. The t,agedlan has never acted this part so
greatly as on the occasion of the present revival.
The majestic presence, the profound and tender hui
manity, the tone Of reserved power, the simple
treatment and the noble elOcutlon made up work
of lofty stature and great pOetical beauty Nh. Nc
Culloucl has also been seen IN Richard III. He
uses Cibbers version, little modified, to square
with his OWE views of stage effect, and in the mid
night horrors of the tent-scene, and again in the
battle-act he creates a thrilling impression
of the remOrse and desperation Of a great
and dcpTayed nature. This week MIR.
Mccullough will be seen Spartdcas, the Gladiator.
On the 18th he designs to produce Mr. Wingields
version of ia k Cade," entitled "The BOndnan."
Mile Rhea has ended her engagement at Booths
Theatre and she will now continue her tour of the
country Her representations of AdTieaRe Lecouoreur
and Camille have shown her to be "A beautiful
woman and d charming actress, with sensitive but
not deep nature, with good command OF artliice,
with fine taste, and with a sparkling and vivacious
temperament They have also denoted her lack of
the glamour of genius, and her comparative mat
tention 10 artistic detail She was seen at her best
in the villa passage in Adrieane and the ballroom
climax of Camille. Stirring situations stimulate
her to stirring treatment of them In suchas
that of Capilles interview with old DtraI however
which exact the appearance of an agoniZng heart
conhict--she is not able to conceal the artihce of
acting. The probability IS that Nile Rhea will be
found to excel in parts such L0dg 1eGzle and
.JuliaRa that she is actress of high comedy, Tar
removed from passion, romance or even sentiment.
Mile Rhea's tour is conducted by Mr. II. j. Sargent,
formerly the manager for MOdjcska; and her com
pany includes the interesting and graceful Isabel
Morris, the judicious and competent eccentric and
character comedian Edwin Yarrey, and the solid
Mr.. Gotthold.
Miss Clara Morris has given, of the Union Square
Theatre six performances of Camille and has drawn
crowded houses, throughout the week The en-
bodiment of Camille by Miss Clara Morris is so
tirey well known to need no description. 1t i'm
pressed us on recent occasion as being somewhat
brighter in the earlier scenes-nOre healthful am
mated and enticing-and therein considerably inn
proved; and Miss Morris exerted all her accus-
toned power of emotion, either real or so well smu
lated as to have the effect of reality,whch is all
that dramatic art requires 1he hold of tins
character upon the public taste appears still to be
very strong so true is it that and principle
clouded and perplexed as soon as romantic senti-
nent and the unbridled cOmpassi n of natural
humanity get control of the MUD. Here is a woman
who, leading an unchaste and filthy life, deliberate
y avOws that she has not the OF having erred
through love, yet procams herself wronged because
those persons who ought TO pity" are cruelty
peryerse TO despise her. And over this fragrant
compound of nastlneSs and COnceit the world con-
ttnues to bubber. Let us hope that even those who
weep nevertheless wise enough to reject moral
deluson, when their tears are dried. sin is sin.
however pihablo or dreadful its consequences may
be; and there DO no habit Of the mind more un-
wholesome than the one that this play is calculated
10 encourage of jusfyng palliating 10 itself the
commission of sin or the perseverance in moral
degradation. Miss Clara Morris is an actress ex-
txaordinary personal maGnetisn. and she expresses