The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-05-06
RICHELIEU.

liz LAoS opPOeSA oAANO "a 1AGos y
!. Keene, the young tragedian, aid b
company. took place last night. to
very large and enthusiastic udienc
The piece was Bulwer's great pre-
duction, "Richelieu," and on til
whole, it was exceedingly well pei
; formed. OF course, the attractio
, was Keene, the young and risin
tragedian, concerning whose wonder
ful success as a star the eastern
people and journals have been S
much exercised of late. Mr.. Keen
IS an old actor, but young star, 70
which reason he is denOminated tn,
young tragedian; but the effec
and force with which b.
performed last night gives tn,
almost ineffaceable impression tina
the character had been the constant
study and practice of a lifetime. H,
has been found fault with-ol
rather, attention has been called L
the fact that his Richelieu is OF 6
more robust character than is con
sistent with the generally approved
actors notion of that historical per.
Senage; but the business of such d
criticism rests upon conception,
the accuracy of which depends
rather upon the faithfulness with
which it is portrayed, than with any
absolute standard as to what the
conception should be. 1t may be
that in parts there is too much
physical vitality for the character,
but when the danger of fall
ing into a conSumptiVe dOtage
is born in mind. it must
be confessed that such fault,
admitting it to be fault, is one
that leans to virtues side. Mr..
Keene's creation is distinct in MANY
particulars Never has the naughty
awe of which
one instinctively feels is the nature
of Richelieu, been more clearly ex-
or more powerfully and i'm
maintained than it was
by Mr.. Keene last night. With each
entrance on the stage it could be
felt, but was felt most when he was
not present, the contrast being in
experienced. AS regards
-orce, he almost stands unriVaIled. |
The grand climax near the close of
he fourth act, which is found in
he speech commencing: MARK
where she stands" was the sub
unity of power, and was the
'erfectiOn of elocutiOn and force. |
1r. Keene does not Overreach |
but in the torrent, tenn
eSt, whirlwind Of his passion, still |
Oes he seem to maintain a reserve
f force, still is his articulation as
lear and distinct as in the mildest
aSsageS. His voice is wonderful
)r its power and volume, and is
well cultivated and un-
er control. The trying speech
bOve referred to, which cons flutes
Re climax at the end of the fourth
ct, was delivered without the
ladow of a break, or the slightest
Tidence of Straining, and at its
the audience broke into
burst of applause, which lasted SO
ng that the play could not proceed
II quite time. This is a rare COM
iment indeed from 4 Salt Lake
Idlence, as intelligent as that pres
1t last night; for while public is )
'preciative in the highest degree, it
anything but demOnstrative. The
'plauSe, however, was most liberal
rOughout, and there was a recall
the close of each act-alsO a rare
here. Customarily stars
ID the fourth act with the climax
oxen of; yet it is the triumph IF
e actors art to be able to proceed
It'll the play as written and bring
It the antl-climaX and it is seldom
ne. This, however, Mr.. Keene did
Ithout any effort, and the result
rs that the applause on the anti 9
max necessitated the rising of the =
rtain after it had dropped. (
The support, while not brilliant, Y
Is more than good. De Mauprat n
s been given to better advantage, I
ough it was anything but bad a
+. LearOck did very well as De a
lradaS; the Joseph of Mr.. Evers- n
m was admirable; while Messrs. =
brent as Louis Kill, Chas. Kent q
huSCE al u4u ullCll. Miss OcOISlS N
7ler, as Julie, seems to possess rare \
wer, and she exhibits with re-
effect at times; while at
her times she is not so pleasing.
le pleasurable feature of the
hole performance, was the pre-
sion with which the business of ?
e play was given. The manner of Il
ting can be criticised, but the .
siness was admirable-sO admir- u
lie that it proves the company to
composed of actors who
orOughly understand their profess
IN. The performance was a treat {
d warrants the assertion that each a
rformance will be equal to last )
ening's.
Tonight, Mr.. Keene plays "Ham-
.," when fine piece of acting is u
Omised by critics in eastern cities, a,
d a new conception may be wit :
ssed of this sublime, oft-repeated, /"
t never tiresom tragedy.