Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-11-22
METROPOLITAN rHEATRE.

II was distinguished German scholar Wn'
said his thought of Shakespeare was as mai
in sympathy with all that was genuine IN
selfish and good; and as poet whose ar
gas 40 nerfect. because so artless. An actor
NAV go nresent the work of Shakespeare 81
70 imnress the auditor who tss not diligently
studied him, differently With regard to the
ART Of the great bard. Successful actors who
essay to read Shakespeare in these days study
b;s character. with his plays as an index,
before attempting an Interpretation. Eyi.
IDENTIFY Mr.. Sheridan, whose presentation oil
| King Lear drew to the Metropolitan Theatel
| last light very fine audience-one compli.
mentary in high degree 70 his own skill and
art-has 30 studied Shakespeare and has
arrived at like Judgment to that quoted.
| Certainly he presents Shskespeare's Lear y
| in a manner TO confirm that belief reveal.
ing this artlessness of the poet as the secret
of the power of his genius. Jonsen
has said that there was q controversy among
the critics of his day as TO whether the pre-
dominant image in Lear's disordered mind
was the loss of his kingdom or the cruelty OF
his daughters. He took the latter view. hold
ing that Lear would move our compassion
but little, did we not rather consider the in
jured father than the degraded King.
Mr. Sheridan, by his shadings,. pre-
sented the source of Lesr's deepest
woes as residing almost wholly In
the unnatural conduct of two OF his chill
drep, rather than his deprivation OF royalty,
and this method was in consonance with the
view taken of the judgment he has undoubs-
eddy formed of the art Of Shakespeare. Others
have differed with this view; memory serves
that the younger Kean read the text with a
different shading. Sheridan's Interpretation
is in accord with the great majority verdict
of Shakespearean students, and SO, while he
does not lessen the agony OF the King
over the loss of his power, he
subordinates it by just the right
shading to the grief and distress OF the father.
AS with Hamlet, so with Lear-the critics dis
agrea and actors have not a fixed standard re-
pardinp it, SO full is it, as Jonson put it, of
"involutions of distinct interests, and the
striking oppositions of contrary characters,
and Of sudden changes of fortune" But MIR.
Saeridan's method with the drama last night
was o mastery one, and calculated to present
II with all its debatable contrarieties, aid
with all the force and effectiveness possible
under the embarrassing circumstances OF IN
sufficient scenery, limited accessories, mea-
gerly fitted stage and an insufficient force OF
skilled supernumeraries. His support in the
leading CQdThCLSES WAC SptbJ anu OoE'tSiaLiJ
30 In the persons of BIr. Cotton, Mr.. Doyle,
Miss Hoibrook and Mr.. Sims. As Lear,
Sheridan's ccting rose level with the higher
DEVELOPMENTS of art. It was a performance
in every respect meritorious, and all the
more striking from the lack of courtly sur
roundings which better appointed theater
would have afforded, he standing almost
alone in creating for the spectator the illusion
SO necessary to the complete dramatic pict-
ure. His effort was not so profound histri-
onic triumph as that he achieves in Louis
XII, but it was made in drama OF far wider
range, far greater difficulties and calling into
action far superior abilities and in this light
his Lear is greater than his Louis. The i'm
passioned curse hurled. upon Goneril in the
first act is the finest acting Mr.. Sheridan
does, and is probably unsurpassed in this day.
Not more from the intensity of delivery was
it great than in the marvellous play of the set
or's features in truth he seemed to feel all
his tongue was given to utter. 1t was COIN
age of art that received recognition from
critical audience, of which the most accom-
plished artist of the age might be proud. 1t
furnished almost perfect standard by which
Others may test the merit OF their work.
Taken as whole, Sheridan's Lear was per-
Torrance, the value OF which can scarcely be
overrated. There has been nothing given on
this stage for years excelling it. 1t was
powerful in its passion, touching in its pathos,
aud showed to the audience the possibilities
of the drama in the hands of we'll
proportional competent and thoroughly
devoted artist. It would be un-
Just not to mention specially the
marked ability Mr.. Cotton displayed
as Edgar, and the admirable Characterization
of the Fool by Mr.. Sims. Tonight Sheridan
and bis company appear for the last time,
presenting Louis SI," in which, few
months ago, he here won such triumph, and
concerning his acting in which, this journal
has already made extended and warm COM
mendation. His present company will enable
him to give the play more effectively than in
the first instance.