The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-01
WHEELING. ". VA, NOVEMBER !. lssa
SIR. Henry Irylng's American Dehut.

SIR. Henry IFying's American Dehh'.
The appearance in America Of 80 famous
an actor as Henry Irving is memorable
event, and 1t Is interesting to know what
impression he made on his first
night rs indicated by the comments
OF the New York critics. The
newspapers devote from one to three CO..
umnst to the affair, which is both criticised
and reported, that is to say, treatedfrom
its art point OF view and as matter OF news
importance.
First Of all the Star Theatre ives packed
Curiosity would have done that. There
was brilliantly dressed audience; the most
money got the best seats, and society had to
be there or lose it's prestige. There were
many present who had seen Mr.. Irving ION
his native heath"-it was too good an OPP
portunity to show that some folks are not
like other iolks, that there were in New
York some persons to whom there could no
longer be first night Of Henry Irving;
these were they who chad travelled" The
audience went 10 admire; the newspers cay
30, and Mr.. Irving, in Herald interview,
admits it
The play, "The Bells" after the French
Of Erckmann.C hatrian, which is, in fact,
no play at all, but a melodramatic mono
logue, had been seen some years ago at
the Boyery Theatre. It is essentially one
part production, and from what is to be
gathered from the lengthy critiques the
support Yves not equal to any great de-
mands. 1t is agreed by the critics, as they
say 1t was by the audience, that in the mys-
tical chsrater Of Matthias, which affords no.
scope for Characterization, Mr.. Irving
showed himself great melodramatic
actor, leaving his greatness as tragedian
10 be Judged when he should be seen in
tragedy. Something is said about his
mannerlsms, Of which We have heard be-
fore; and something about the indistinct-
ness Of his enunciation, which is blemish
in any actor. But in the play and in the
paft such as they wereit is agreed that Mr..
Irving made hit and carried his audience
with him. Iateligneer readers will appre'
ciate brief extracts from the critiques oil
three leading newspapers. The Herald
says:
The Endorsement OF Mr.. Irving rs great
actor WIS distinct and unmistakable. That
the audience were unable to determine bis
rank WIS IS evident. His performances In
other rolls hes yet 10 establish 1t, but bis
burcoms1ter, tortured by bis fears aud o.
pre:sed by his tragical secret, will remain in
The memory OF those who witnt Ied 1t IS an
achievement artistic In It's realiz alton, gro.
tes0ue In some OF lis phpses, but marvelously
picturesque and effective in all.
The Tribune, whose accomplished critic
is evidently in love With Mr.. living, says:
Mr.. Irving, like every other human crea-
ture, has bis limitations. The work that he
displayed LIST night made evident enough
The deIicacy Of his physical powers, the In
tricate character OF his artistic means, and
the perplexipg eccentricitie9 OF his style. he
IN the flute and not the trumpet. He could
NO more produce that mellow thunder OF
voice, that rugged grandeur OF form, and az.
fluent and tofrid sensuali.y, which only Just
fell short OF transcendent and Overwhelming
genius In Edwin Forrest, than he could ny
through the heavens, The flow OF bis spirit
could never be the great ninth wave that
seems TO crush the erag wherein 1t dashe 3
He stands forth with AL his equip 1onts in
order and all his fine faculties
In the leash. He Is an intellect enthroned
above the passions. He knows that inspira-
lion may come but he will leave
that 10 take care OF itself. Hc works with
thousand subtle touches, with many seem,
ing accident OF shadow, with mady sudden
let OF light. He will sometimes leave the
senses unthrilled. He will sometimes be
fantastic In his ideals. He will sometimes
push singulariiy OF Treatment to the verge Of
excess But, he speaks to the Imagination
and 70 the soul; and, In everything that he
says and does and Is, you feel the nameless
charm OF genius. Ample discussion may be
anticipated as 10 this actors ideals OF charac.
Ter, az to his suitability to certain parts, and
az to the exact nature and limits OF biz
powers OF expression. But nobody will
doubt that he Is often splendid artist and
always man Of genius; that his work is
guided by intellectual purpose, and peryaded
by that understandable something which Is the
conservation OF poetry:
"The Light which never
Wason land or sea"
More discriminating than any, yet SEEM
ingly desirous Of giving Mr.. Irving his full
due, the Times says:
"Mr. Irving has not takeh two steps before
we recoguiEe, with sigh OF relief, that we
are In the presence OF trained actor to
whom these common points OF stage behavior
and stage effect are familiar as his garter.
There Is no more doing for some time than
bsiore, but we lose the sense that things are
dragging. An intelligent and trained actor
Is on the stage, and, being the only one Of bis
kind, he holds It. His action Is little
forced, alittle exaggerated, his eloquence q
little affected. But ss heg goes on we see that
he is an actor Of unusual gifts physical gifts,
at least-as well as OF q training unusual on
the Engish-spsaking stage, and as matter
OF course on the Continental stages. A tall
and 1.-THE frame, trained 10 swift and ener-
getic II not very graceful motion,
arrested In characteristic and striking II
not very picturesque, attitudes long,
smooth.Shayen face, Of remarkable mobility,
remarkable expreeaiveness, It's possibilities OF
expression heightened by skillful making up;
large, dark, and piercing eyes; voice strong,
means that Understandable custom the voice"
that Keats found in Kean's; not the range,
the yolumnious richnts, aud sweetness, the
thrilling power, which we have all aoknowl-
edged in the voice Of Halvini, but voice
expressive and individual enough 70 be the
organ OF expression for great actor
fhus far we have not the assurance OF
great actor, only OF an Intelligent and accom-
I,lished actor. with an unreprfs,ed tendency
10 exaggeraion. OF true tragic power, 10
speak frankly, we have no hint before the
close OF the second act.
In the third act, in which the star has his
great opportunity, the Times describes the
close attention and the burst Of applause,
and adds:
Such testimony to an actors power is very
rare. When II Is rendered It IS beyond con-
troyersy. With the technique by which
such a result Is reached Il Is idle TO quarrel.