New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-15
MUSIC IND THE DRAMA.
Mr.. BARRETTs PERFORMANCES

Mn PERFORMANCES.
1t is not new truth that Lawrence Barrett iso,o
of the best actors of his time whether in coined, =
tragedy; yet at each fresh performance tina. -
given by him the Of his extraordinary and ~,
donitable intellectual force comes home to the nina
With an effect of novelty. He has been seen with,
twelve DAVIS Richclicu,-whch he acted so,-..
times,-Hamlet. Yorick. Shylock Dqria Carrie
Othe'o, and Cossias. This was carrying a frenendon
weight and il is not easily possible to DO iusfce 81
such an exploit The time has gone for weighing IN
nice scales each exercise of the actors pover-to Ia
teTmine its existence and its limitations This r.o,,,
displayed its scope and conquered its recoqnition
long ago. and there is no person who can teach Ar
Barrett ANYTHING about his own profession
But the tendency of Observing thought -
dwell NE character Of The actors enorts and ,
their influence Tie public taste is rational and
not exercis d amiss.
Mr.. Barrett has an almost unequael magnetism.
and ability. in promoting the noble excitement Of
thought. To sec him act is 10 soc a splonli cnrirc
OF intellect IN grand and roaseess motion and 20 Ia
reused into mental activity that at once diSnerses
ali The weariSome commonplace Of daily iifo Tbasa
whe sow him, last night Cossins or two nights
since, Shg'0ck and Gcrrick must sirnallv have slt
this astonishing and inviporating influence Of mem
ri passion His Cossirs is q great worl-a pure ideal
Of Roman herosm; squarelv founded on duty: in
piacabe in conscientious purpose inst sufficiently
touched with TIE 0uplicitv and the cruelty Of q
heartless Of deeds YET not without human fem
derneSs; and, at the last both pa hetc and majestic
IN SIS simple sovereignty over fear. and Fate and
chance and evil fort ane and death And the aSsive
grace of the execution keens an even balance with
tn grandeur Of the ideal There is no effort here. 10
lapse from the character 20 lsproportion with o.:
hut everything even 10 the actors ,nanneri~fns of
vibrant elocution, NOR LIANT bitterness, OF tone ard
Tong. lamenfing cadcuces % querulous disoonfent-
harmonious and perfect. There is scarce another
work on the stage that burns with Such intellectual
concentration. is rounded into such a sfatue-iie
beauty and comm tcness Of art There Ger ai,lg j.
no work of Air 6arretts that 50 wholly shows him
m the type that he distinctly charlottesville man %
clear, exalted, restless, passionate intellect
Inc audiencc-numerous and hmlliant-was
greatly moved last nirht, by The fcry,r If
his eloqnence. C1ssius the gliftering simplicity
# his action, the spendor Of his sanruinary and
guilty triumph. and the lonely AMI solemn maenif-
cence Of h death Many times the house rang
with delighted plaudits To rs the constant
thought OF the occasion dwelt on the depth and
sincerity Of that mans mind who can thus produce
and sustain an illuson true and terrible in
yovlng slch painful, Saddening wear of ner,eS and
brain. Were il not that Mr. Barrett invests Cassus
with sentiment Of comTadeship. mitirltinc III,
austerity with a suggestion Of almost tender mourn
fnlness. and making him iustiiiabie IN his own
eyes. his performance Of this old Roman would 10
so narrowing rs not TO be endured.
1t is rot meant hat Mr.. Barrett is a Ca.si,,
because he enacis Cassius mpressively well bat
that this character calls forth into bold re'ief
the intense mentality IN which he is a distinctive
actor Nor is it meant 10 deny or overlook
the br gh sNeeter elements II his nature He
gave as DaCid Gdrytck, embodiment that proves
theul--an embodiment not alone easv. Graceful
colloqnial. humorous, subtitle in gesture AID inis-
noh ANA brilliant IN the use o. transpaTency-las in
tic scene Of simulated m,bricty)-but very WIZ.
Sir
and digniteG by he gentle gravity CT a spirit that
experience has Sa"dened ND innate goodness made
patient end tender. The amatorv PASSION was aious
fictitious: but this is subsidiary element la ne
character and is made somewhat incousonant "
oyermnch dl tactic purpose in the play itself
Besides. men who act HaBlct and Rioe,let and cas-
s.as have got considerably oe, ond lovers
II was inevitable tina. Mr. Barrett should havs
assumed NhI'0Dt for the character $ int, lectual
restless, inud. mteudeI. dar y AMI wildly passion
ate. and &c pa~tUousiy eloquent. Sach part conia
not fail 70 match OF a.. needs oil expression in
ms artistic nature His Skyiotk az present though
IS. 10 MS, less yuab Tor itself than for IT'S personal
denatcmcnt Unless >by'9rk oe made sublime with
she old Hcoraic spirit. the august and yencrals
representative Of an outraged race and desecrsr.i
religion, his mere personality is NOT less common
than disagVeahle. Mr. Barrett dos not n~esar- a
sustained identity and the Sby'ocs that be does ur
sent when reilly merged in the character l. are
circle of his owo eXuerence. The spectator ,,,,lr
10 Ice sorry for Nhy'0ci IA bis final hour NJ
ruin; bat il is impossible 20 rrieve over
the destruction "a "a mere humau reDtle
h""N"'Ver picturesque and eloquent poetry
nay make HIM. Nr. Jarrett was at his hest in Ia
splendid personal execution lui delivery of such
pass iees AS Hath nota jew eyes' ami " ~ Inc ..
none So well a. you of my daughter', flight Vbe~e
are the moments Of Intellectual passion thrilled by
great nervous energy. The character part OF tbe
work. however has still ample room to grow.
There WAS a magnificent exit, which would have
been seen with tears had the StglsrS a. prt .ions
scenes seemed the embodiment Of national y,Ioi-s
more than the incarnation o. small personal re-
NenS". Yet the Lual impression, now a. before was
that of a tremendous concentration and mental
vitality IN the actor; making him an eNcsp ionsl
arGs and one hose imperial ana iu,eSsaut -ncr-es
arr never excrted without benefit to the thinbi..r
world. Mir Barrett will act Yorick this trrr,.an.
and taNs'"o this evening. and SO end has onc..e-
ment. Il las been followed with deep i,ter.St ana
n has gained hm vet another wreath OF tls laurel
OF solid and honorable reputation.
TIE MICHIGAN BENEFIT
There was % great audience veStcr.av 2ftcr,oopst
BOOTHS Theatre, tosee the performance ot"Uf.ellao
IN which Booth and Barrett combined for th. b..,,.is
OF the unfortunate and Suffering people 81 Mie.-
gan. Ii is not necessary 20 review the repre..r.-
ton. Everything PASSED r,n .o. l,l, an. % ...,