New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-16
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MISS WARD AND HER COMPANY.

MISS WARD AND HER COMPANY.
II is not usual that character, in itself unSyn-
patbetic. closely engages and long retains puDhc
favor. The late f. L. Davenport found II lilpoT
sible to make true with Sir GiteS ote'''c"'
although nc PLAYED the part with over" n'i'n.I ~"
force and great ability. The better ne ina"1 ~
more hateful il seemed Macklin's Sy'ocs hau
great vogue for a time; but, after AL us S"0oT
seems to have been that of monster "nen ,"o
;p,neysono+ion of an evil being really endureS III inc
admiration of 1nankind-as Cookies H'chdFd OF oiu
Booths Pcycard did-t is because OF the actor ana
not the part il is the result OF innate eleoulcu
onaIitv in the person. which shows through LIII-
liant treatment of the character
rr1is M doubt. is the reason Of Miss Wards great
and continual success as Stephanie de Nohrrdrt in The
drama of Foreet-Me-Not" Nothing in the shape
Of woman-asde from the hays and witches-could
be more dotestabe than is the personality OF tins
adventures. who, veiing vile past. and totally
destitute of tenderness and conscience would
trample humanity and morality into the mire, ana
break any number of human hearts, only to get her
desire OF social recognition. And nothing couIu oo
more entirely in harmony with such nature IMAM
the polished wickedness, the icy rep0Se ana .lc
thoroughly exasperating perfection OF manner WIN
which il is expressed in Miss Wards acting En-
perience would suppose that such perSohatioh
must needs repel; but observation mas 'haV IL
grows more and more attractive.
Miss Wand indeed, has thrown around 1t won
derml cIamor of brilliancy No infrmities and lam
puors no suggesveneSs of aches ana palhS
no faint of slOth il-tended physique
mar the animal perfection of this embodiment. III
is vigorous supple handsome, beautiful woman
exultant in her power thoroughly seli-polsed, ana
garmented with magniicence exactly III Keeping
with herself. The very colOrs that she wears are
the hues Of her serpent nature. Such presence,
a.. IL MI l,r41u
captivate but, when this is added the actress be-
comes simply vision of glittering and deviilsh
audacity that at times is almost comic in its bland
sweetness aud internal compoSure. We have seen
but one other actor of late years edwin Booth III
Pcscard and in parts of IGgD and RchdrdiII), VINO
can thus create the effect OF humor-and humor
iluminative of characteT-by means of nOnchaiance
not less comic than sinister, in moments
of impending danger and quiet menace. My
friend, l can talk on any subject and III
any manner are words, as they fall from the lips
Of Miss Wards Stephanje that light up every fibre
OF the character and attain TO the supreme excel
lence of comedy.
And this same shining precision of treatment runs
through the whole work II is not needlul to re-
state all its points, The performance is only differ
ent from hat of last year in being better. Inc
tragic close approached by st more subtitle eNhi-
biton OF womanke irritablity from strained nerves
and an acccSs n of bitterness and Impatence. and
the fright and collapse made still more fearful
Altogether, it is an extraordinary work, and most
Tightfully ranked with the great dramatic achieve
ments OF this period.
Miss Ward has brought with her from England
one artist OF uncommon ability and worth This Is
William Farrcn jr., who acts the aged Italian
pr nce The part is a sketch, and 1t disappears too
early from the scene; but what there Is
of it affords opportunity to a good actor
and Mr.. Farren has filed with a sort of antique
grace and perfect refinement, and with the iirm yet
hight and l4ancng touch of true comcdy-aTtlSi,
this eccentric ideal of an elegant, fusSy, rickety,
self-opinonated irrepresSible old court gallant.
The prim manner and the finely shaded speaking of
tho part are not more excellent than the absolute
care of the artistic treatment. Mr. FaTren is OF
the few actors who know exactly when to pause,
ana exactly the value of emphasis. His subtitle dis
elimination, in bringing out the after-dinner quail
titles of the Priaoe-when flushed alike with wine !
and sentimental infatuatiOn-was not the least OF
his merits as an actor. He has hunor of figure and
Carriage as well as humor of thinking and Of voice.
lie is doing much for the effect of the play OF For
cet-Me-Not" which, aside from the central figure |
is either dark or dry, and needs this light Of comica
eccentrcity which dramatic artist has thus de-
rived from thin suggestion IN the literary work |
OF the drama.
Miss Cuthbcrt, another acting Mrs. |
Foley-has made the strong impression of fine intel
lgence, cOmningled with an and pleas
ing sngularity of character Ia tart, Grabbed kind |
hearted humor), and suffusad with hOme-like |
goodness and simple refinement very pleasant to |
recognize. In Miss BarneFs performance of the |
prosecuted lady there grace and propriety and Mr.
Vessels has made the COTSican-as he ought TO be
formidable and rugged, and darkly sad. There is
little pause after the line about the iber in this
latter perf0rmauce which needs 10 bC filled with
stage bushes for the sake Of a perfectly smooth
effect. Mr. Frank Clements susttins with steady |
excellence the character of the English gentleman
aud finds constant favor for his capital performance
"a work already fully described IN this place. The
little part of the STrdRt is assumed, quietly and
with taste by Nh Percy Campbell. Seven add |
tiOnal performances of F0rgct-Me-NOt" will be |
given and the opportunity thus afforded ought not
10 pass uniInpTOYed.