The Evening critic., 1882-03-24
MILE. RHEA.

Scribe's absorbing drama, ''Adrienne," was
presented at Whitnoys last night with Mile.
Rhea as Adrienne Lecouvreur. 1t was an i'm
personatlon the most striking qualities In
which were regal magnifcence Of bearing,
overwhelming tragic power, and an almost
unerring application OF the players art to the
development of every phase of this interest
ing character. While 1t is by no means a
"dry goods play" the costumes worn by all of
the dramatis persona, and especially Mile.
Rhea, were moro gorgeous than ever before
seen in this city IN connection with any theat-
rical event. The robe worn by her In the third
act is q marvel of richness and elaborateness
wholly indescribable by the profane pen of
man. Throughout the play the dresses were
nearly all beautiful and minutely faithful to
the period of the action. In the character of
Adrienne Mile. Rhea treads with majestic step
very wide dramatic range-now keeping
time to the gentle ripping OF the brook and
again beating desperately against tho tragic
torrent. Her scenes in the green room Of the
Comedie Franchise were superb eXemplifica-
tions OF sharply contrasting passions, and her
invocation to Corneille was delivered with an
effect that thrilled every auditor on whose ear
fell the music Of that enhancing voice. As an
expression of hate born of Jealousy the en-
counter with the Princess, in the latter's
palace, with reference to the secret which
| forded an opportunity which Mile. Rhea
| manipulated with SURPRISING brillancy,
and which had its climax and
| It's contrast simultaneously In the
| thrilling recitation with which the scene
| closes. Her treatment of the episode Of the
casket returned with Adrienne's withered
| flowers was inexpressibly touching and fine
the outward manifestation of a breaking heart
whose agonies were felt In some degree by
i Laa ~. .ua1 wi n
struggle-and all not real, but merely art.
| She touched her highest point of excel
| lence in this impersonation in the last scene
| OF all, during the delirium wrought by the
| poisoned flowers. Her reading OF the love OF
| Psyche to the imaginary Maurice was both
| startling and pathetic-now sweetly must
cal and wooing, and now again, when
| her thought is turned upon her cruel
| rival, remorseless, passionate, terrible. Her
| cry for life, in the very moment OF dissolution,
was In Itself n tragedy-more appalling than
the last look OF a drowning man who sinks for
ever under the waters-a cry In which were
blended frenzy, love, despair and terror. That
cry was Rhea's crowning achievement as
Adrienne. 1t is incontestable evidence OF a
power that must continue to win triumphs for
this great artist wherever she finds an appre-
| ciatiye and cultured public.
| ~ cannot look upon q star
| Or cloud which seems a seraph's car,
| or any form OF purity,
Unmingled with a dream OF thee"
When Nile. Rhea came out of the stage dool
at the Grand Opera House Saturday afternoon
after the matinee, she was greeted by n large
| crowd OF ladies and gentlemen who, moved by
| curiosity, We're waiting 10 see how the oeautl
| ful actress looked In street dress. Tho eXhi
biiion was somewhat amusing, and evidently
| not at all displeasing To the AIademOlselo as
she thanked the crowd for a round of applause
| which greeted her appearance. She VIII leave
I a fHl1 In-EnD nrnl M IN
| this State. The company is rehearsing al
| adaptation of French play entitled "Dlon dc
| Lys," which has never been produced In thii
| country. The theme Is the old and not alto
| Pether commendable one-marital inndelity
Next season Mile. Rhea Will have at leas
six dramas In her repertoire.-Detroit Free
| Press.
Mile. Rhea, with her great dramatic com
pany, is engaged by Manager Ford, and vii
appear at the Opera-House on MONDAY a.
"Adrienne, the Actress; /" TUESDAY, as Bea
trice, In Shakspeares comedy OF "Much Al,
About Nothing, " and WEDNESDAY, as +" Ca
milo; or, the Fate OF a Coquette.