The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-09-17

Mr.. LAWRENCE BARRETT has already done
more for American dramatic art than any other OF
our living actors. TO add drama like "YOrlck' $
"Love ~ To the worn repertory Of the modern stage
Is service which none of MIR. Barrett's compeers
have achieved. This splendid artist who we believe
will yet be recognized rs the American GarrCk, and
the finest actor of his generation on this side of the
Atlantic, evidently In his something higher
than means of mere money getting. lie has just
produced a new play la Phladephia-last Thursday
night-and it seems likely to prove thorough sue
cess for its author rs Yorlck's Love did for Mr.
IIOwes, If we are to believe Mr.. Winter who writes
OF the first performance rs follows:
The first performance Of MIR. Boker's tragedy of
" Francesca da Rimn ~ has lust ended at Havery' )
Theatre and Mr.. Lawrence Barrett, by perform
ance OF singular fascination and tumultuous spirit
has added 10 his repertory character of remark :
able strength. This persOIatiOn, beginning calmly
was wrought up 10 a high degree Of PASSION and 1t
evoked a whirlwind OF applause. There four
calls after the first curtain and fOur after the second
ami both Mr.. Barrett and Mr.. Boxer responded In
brief speeches. The author expressed his gratitude
to Mr.. Barrett and his company for the handsome
manner In which the piece had been set and the adj
mlrabe style of the acting. In his treatment Of the
old story of Francesca Mr.. Boxer has aimed carry
sympathy with the husband rather than with
either the heroine the lover. This pla V,
which Is the old piece that Il. H. Davenport
acted in one act thirty years ago. has been
Tearranged and partly rewritten, aud 1t consists
OF four aca. each Of which terminates with posi-
tive and pointed dramatic climax. The language Is
Uhllk VERSE Ol hONlIp bcDtI-
ally nervous and vigorous, and frequently rising to
lmpassOneh eloquence. The sceneis chiefly In Rmini,
and the wars OF the Guelpls and the Ghlbelnes are
incidentally illustrated. But the more important
object Is 10 present study Of exceptional phases Of
human nature and to show the passion Of love It Is
Tefraa tod by the character upon which 1t acts and as
1t appears IN the conduct which is Its consequence
In LdnciOtts MIR. Boxer has drawn heroic man, ten
der magnanmous, capable OF all fine feelings In ex-
Cess, but warped by physical de:Drnlty, and likely
when deceived and wrOnged, to dissolve ~ ruthless
and terrible dellrlum. He shows a man that could
fOreR0 tile love Of woman; but once persuaded OF hay
lug won IT, he would be tempesluons In his ecstasy,
reckless IN his adOTaton aud his happiness and fcrO
cous and deadly Ia lis Injury to hsheart
and his faith There Is strain Of OtheliO In LuH-
ofVtte, mingled with sghter strain Of the fierce
spirit of Rfchdrd IH aud the character prompts re-
nectOn upon those questions the reaction Of physical
aroused Ly such an ancient type AS tho Tester In
'RlgOlettO.' Human nature shows Its absolute
greatness when Ia tho period Of the passions II rises
above the passions and displays the spirit In conquest
Of all things that would mar itsdiync calm. But the
other sort Of character Is the more picturesque aDl
ths more dramatic. Mr. Boxer has conceived scenes
for his hero that fraught with nsuerabe agony
aud given him rare moments OF utorance ana asplen-
did dlctlOn and the roller nf deeds. Mr.. Barrett
carried the part with excellent llSGretIOn The de-
fOrmity was not OyeriOne. The personality was not
weird, yet was intellectually handsome, tho
Ideal %! ardent, impeuOus nature sChOOlcd
through bitter philosophy 10 hold Its emo,
tions In chock ana toPrey upon Itself Tho face
pao and saOw, tho slightly crooked figure richly
clad In black and the vehement manner Of spoach
checked at once by Impulses of retlG0nce indeed
very Striking. ana WIN long be fcmOmbGTed. Tho
value of snch pieoo Of acting iS that while IL shows
very brilliantly the resources Of dramatic art and
the strength and fine temper Of rare general faculties
for expression, IL invests lieOus story with the
gam0r OF poetry, and makes every sensible observer
gsntler and more charitable Judge Of the actions Of
his fellow creatures. Mr. Louis James the Fool
made abrilllant hit. HIS part Is utterly satanic with
a laughter that Is more terrible than malice, and Mr..
James expressed 1t with deep knowledge "r human
suferings and with hilsOus gloa. The performance
Of Francesca by Marie Wainwright was marked by
unexpected force aud real tenderness The piece
qgiTa- gI4 fun sets and numerous cast. II had Mi
nnnuulEn.ul hiIrnhaa.