The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-02

actor he is as inconsistent and ty-
rannical as an old stager among
amateurs never thinking of giving
or waiting for cue, and very often
cutting off a fellow-player in the
middle of his best speech. Betake
yourself to the interior of London
theatre on q foggy night-it only
costs ten shillings, (nearly $3.50 for
an ordinary Seat-and while from
the midst Of an atmosphere resem-
bling that of railway smoking car,
and from behind a row of footlights
as dimly discernible as lanterns at
the burial of Sir John Moore, come
sneeZes, coughs and semi-articu-
lated utterances from a beXy of
characters, as vague and shadowy
as Banquo's issue or the ghost OF
Hamlet's father; ask your pro-
phetic s0ul if Iago hath aught ex-
tenuated cor set down aught in
malice" Only a few nights ago a
performance of "Hamlet" was in
terrupted and suspended midway on
account Of the sudden and unav0id-
able entrance Of this uncOnscion-
able intruder.
But dropping the subject of fogs
and continuing that of theatres,
suppose we glance briefly over the
programme of London's histrionic
attractions. The theatrical season
is at present in it's zenith. Some
thirty Oh forty notable theatres are
playing nightly to crowded houses,
while Of inferior shows, like "the
making Of books" there is literally
no cad. Doubtless the cable has
anticipated any enumeration my
pen might be able to give, but with
your leave and patience, 1 will men,
ton a few of the most popular.
Beginning with those strictly
devoted to the production
of legitimate drama, we may
Justly give precedence to the Ly-
ceum Whose lessee and manager is
the celebrated Henry Irving), one
of the finest and most fashionable
theatres in the kingdom. A beauti-
full little comedy called "The Two
Roses" in which Mr.. Irving, as
Digby Grant, is said to have made
his first hit, after another success
full run, has but recently been super
seeded by Romeo and Juliet" with
Irving in the male title role. So far,
most Of the papers have been very
InOn-committal upon the point Of his
success in the character of the
sweet Montague" aWed into silence
no doubt by the extent of his man
agerial influence, and the imposing
height Of bis reputation as an actor.
1t is easy to perceive, however, that
his rendition of Romeo has severely
disappointed the British public.
When newspaper critics, willing to
be friendly with the great, but I'M
willing to write themselves down
in the estimation of the sensible,
deal in glittering generalities, logi-
cal equivocations, profuse refer
ences to side issues, carefully avoid |
ing any direct allusien either pro or
con to the main thing under con-
sideration, it is pretty easy matter
to conclude as to the nature of their |
real opinion. Such is the present |
attitude of the London press, with |
one notable exception, towards Mr.. |
Irving in his Interpretation of !
Shakespeare'S Romeo. While other |
prominent journals, waiting for |
the verdict Of a respectable pre-
cedent, have maintained semi |
silence upon the subject of it's |
merits, but supplied the deficiency |
Of character criticism with eloquent |
illusions to Shakespeare's genius,
splendOr Of costumes, magnifcence |
of scenery, and other points upon |
which the public mind needed { p |
enlightening, the E0efliilg NeoOS has |
come out boldly with the plain, I'M
vanished truth, and while melting |
out strict justice to all that was
commendable in the presentation,
unhesitatingly consigned Irving's |
Romeo to the category of his
dramatic failures. Without taking
the NeaCS for a prompter, since [ |
have not yet had the privilege of |
seeing Mr.. Irving in Shakespeare, L |
can say that I was somewhat dis
appointed on first beholdiDg him.
Having heard so much OF "the
greatest of living actors" as some |
of the London prints are fond of |
styling him, must confess that my |
expectations, though not insur-
m0untably high, were at very re-
spectacle altitude. At any rate, so |
much so that Mr.. Irving failed to |
attain the summit. | am not vain
enough to imagine, however, that |
this will prove source of very
poignant regret either to the gen (
tleman; himself or any Of his army |
of admirers, but be my opinion |
worth what it may, it certainly diff
fers from theirs in the estimation of |
his ability. Being formed without |
witnessing any of his tragic por-
trayals. it is quite possible it may |
be premature; but if the unwarrant. !
able torrent of "gush" poured out |
upon "Digby Grant" is any
criterion Of the merit of the |
actors Shakespearian define
ations, it must in all candor be said |
that his reputation has been easily |
won. Reputation, says the immor-
tai bard, is soft got without merit |
and lost without deserving" and
while I would not assert that such |
has been or will be the case with |
the renowned Henry Irving.
1 am at present of the de- |
cided opinion that in the