New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-18
MUSIC AND TIE DRAMA.
EDWIN BOOTH AS KING LEAR.


1t would not be easy to Overstate the value, to an
artoying public of the brilliant series Of represen
tations that Edwin Booth is now giving at Booths
Theatre His embOdiments range through tho
granlest dramatic works that ever were written,
and his acting is marked by all it's Old-time grace
and more than its od-time power.
No proof more positive could be given, at once Of
exalted genius and of steady advancement in tho
capacity to use artistic powers, than was afforded
in his performance of Macbeth. The imaginative
treatment of the awful scene of DnRcans murder
has never been surpassed If indeed It was ever
equallcd, by any actor of our time; while IN his
subtitle Independently means Of intermittent de-e
lirium-of the cnd-driven state of HGcbeths spirit,
he has shown most profound, thorough and right
understanding Of the character, and adopted the
best conceivable method TO bring ont its weird
terror aud affecting pathos, and carry its lofty les
son straight home 70 human hearts.
More evidence Of his artistic growth was
seen, last night, in bis personaton Of
Lear; and, indeed, this work. for the
first time within our knowledge, almost to tho
level o has matchless excellence in Hamlet Ii is
only comparatively a short time since Mr. Booth
who then had not for ten years acted Lear, in any
form. discarded Tate's version, and took mp tho
character again-making version for HIMSELF with
nothing in il hat the text OF Shakespeare He has
has given d-vOut study TO the part he has played
1t rs often rs possble in London, last season, it
WAS one OF his most emphatic successes and his EN-
bodment of it, last night, was a great performance
Now. as before it is the human point Of view from
which he approaches the character His Ledr is tho
sad father and the broken old man. 1t is the great
heart shattered BIZ cruel unllin ness that nc FIRST
and most of all, makes felt But not tho
less does he now express the outraged majesty
of Lcor, his towering though diseased will. his
righteous ferocity aud his whirlwind of frenziad
passion. Tender beyond tears for.orn beyond ex-
preston his acting is, in the recognition of Cor
della, he becomes before Glosters gates presence
that is simply TERRIBLE and he breaks away, at
that terrific speech about revengcs' and " the ter
rors of the EARTH in tumult of distracted and
abortive fury piable it is thrilling, and fully
equal with the magnificent situation.
Bat is in the two aspects Of madness-at first
incipirnt, then accomplishments the most
maraable advance is seen. The sense OF relief suc-
cccdng the sense of torture, the vague imagery the
broken thoughts, the CHASTITY, haunting phantcms,
and. back of all. tho suggestion of what mnss
have been the massive royalty and celestial good
ness of this nature, which is great, even in its
ruins-all was embodied and expressed with absO-
lute truth. In the fantastic garniure of flowers
SIR. Booth, former occasions. seemed to preserve
certain compacnesS of brain; on this occasion, no
of the poor deserted, heartbrokcn man is fluent and
wandering. This passage ana the subsequent sarren-
der. will always be remembered as the perfection of
pathos. It's fayorte deluSion of contemporary
criticism that no one but physical giant can act
AiRg Lcar. Large men, such ~ Forrest Brooke,
and Dillon were, have generally been preferred in
the part. Bat Charles kean was one of the best
Lears that ever trod the stage, and Edwin Booth
made il pass unuoticel, last night, that lie Is Of
Slight frame and medium stature. He looked
every inch a King and he was one. LeU is, If
course Il character of which the peaks stand boldly
up in clear, white light; but the passages which
lie between arc mostly yelled in shadow and
they remain. unless the part be acted with
a vast ground-swcll of emotion. and
with volume of physical force, enorm Us, even IN
decay winch utters itself nvoluntarly without tho
show OF effort The emotion Mr.. Booth amply
possesses; the exuberlnce of physique he som8-
what lacks. Not the less in the splendid portrait
ure and suggestion Of true ShakcSpeGrean ideal he
employed an art method SO clear firm and free that
il seemed entirely spontaneous; and no spectator
could have remembered that BE- was acting; ana he
spoke the glorious verse of Shakespeare with
glittering euquonce that was at once music and
beauty.
Mr. Booth was four times called before the cur
tain. Mr.. Percy and Miss Haiemln were good as
EdGar and C0racIta, and each was especially re-
worth it. king Lear" will be repeated tonight.
Thus far. lathe course OF hIs present eugdgement
Mr. Booth has been seen as htcdtitcH, .udc6ch
OihcllO. Idgo, Bcgtaccio, Hamlet and Ledr He viii
continue 10 act ut Booths Theatre till October
20 The attendance has been steadily largo, and
" Lear drew larger house last evening than Is
usually attracted By this grieyouS, narrowing, ur
relieved pageant of sim sorrow, agony aud DEATH