National Republican., 1883-05-15
It's Proprietor as Viewed by Pair Of Ameri-
can Eyes.
A Fair Estimate Of Irving as an Actor
and Statement Of His Defects.
The Memory Of Perfect Shakspearoan Evening
The Way They Do Play in London.
Irving and Terry Play BenedicIk and
Beatrice In "Much Ado"
Snectnl LeNer.


very wonderful man, an actor full of incon-
gruities; but tho one individual in London
who can choke "Irvng" down the throats
of high and low to degree passing concep-
tion. Until to-day have seen him in his
great roles, such as Hamlet, Romeo, Benedick
Iago, besides his chief characters in the plays
of "Tho Bells and THE Lyons Mail"
His exasperating "Irvingism" Cf ] may,
coin the word colors every part with his own
distinct mannerism to such degree that my
enjoyment of the actor was aud always has
been extremely limited. However, in ques-
tion of opinion such as regards the special
merit Of individuals l find it much easier to
respect that Of four millions than to cling
too closely to my own estimate. 1t is much
| simpler to say 1 am the foOl--it is the four
millions who are wise"
Having fairly undermined tho value of
what l am about to remark, | say IL just the
same, my presumption being in that l havo
met one gentleman who is almost of my
opinion. He lives in the suburbs of this great
world, so cannot decmally como in under the
head of the above statistical number.
Yesterday, ut q charming kettle.drum, l
said with amazing sang froid: 1T may be
horesy on my part, but do not call Henry
Irving great actor"
Responses: Nobody does, but he goes down
| Tor one just inc same"
/ Immediately added another lump to my
already-sugared tea Unnecessary. 1t would
have "gone dow" probably without it. My
excess of zeal, my distraction regarding so un-
important a thing, reminds me of Irving.
That is what he has. Excess of zeal every
thing is well sweetened to the taste of his
public
Some years ago he was a clerk in a Man
| chester lawyers Office and alone discovered
his singular aptitude for the stage. Amazingly
clever, he commenced to work his way up
ward in response to his ardent ambition.
Hours were spent in stuffy drawing rooms
teaching laundering Hebes to nectariZe in
private theatricals. Half crown an hour
was the modest stipend. This ardent young
clerk soon made himself un authority in
"drawer-ring" room told English) dramas.
His perfection in arrangement gave the
smallest detail its just and absolute i'm
portance; his eye for color restored the har-
mony of yellow, green, and purple, which
bloom thickly on tho English high-life
hedges; natures unnatural gardener, may we
so call him, he posed lovers and reposed old
age. He threw glamor over things which
had been heretofore dead with dullness, and
in short time his sway became absolute to
the drawing-room. He took to the boards
and-and you know the rest.
Much Ado About Nothing" rejoices in so
little plot that one may easily dispense with
q formula of going through it. The world
pretends to be full of Beatrices and Benedcks,
certainly there are fair samples of each that
we know of on the stage of the Lyceum.
In accordance with the old saw, Place aux
Danes we will first speak ofthe ladies. Miss
Ellen Terry, the stellar attraction with
Henry Irving, is gracious fair, and fairly
successful as tho her roine. Her conception of
Beatrice's character is quite good at times
very crude, and at others nondescript. She
has abundance of life, but too little repose.
Her first scenes were well enacted her grief at
Hero's abandonment in the church only fairly
simulated. The love passages (pardon me,
can one strictly call them love passages p
gave one the uncomfortable sensation that the
love-making was all on one side. Benedicks.
No? l divine your surprise, but say yes.
How is this, Beatrice?
The world, the stage world, positively re-
quires Beatrice for u Benedick. Miss Terry,
knowing that she commands all hearts and
sentiment, allows little too much of nature
in her singular stage performance. Irving as
Benedick someway is made to feel that "one
offers, the other kisses the cheek" AT least
during few moments of each evening the
lady might play her part in the last act OF
Much Ado About Nothing.n Ellen-ahem
Beatrice-may not be specially enamored of
Henry-excuse me, Benedict-but the un-
happy victims who pour guineas into the
pockets of these justly celebrated stars would
like to believe in perfect harmony of senti-
mont. Shakespeare knew so well what he was
doing--at least in n little matter Of opinion,
such as yielding to such an individual--we
succumb at once; we think he knew. I'm
mortality is certainly very exigeante.
Of the rest of the cast we must first mention
Forbes Robertson the well known artist and
actor. His Count Clodio is a most admirable
performance; his reading perfect, his gestures
propos, his manner most gentlemanly, and
the tout ensemble that of u fine artist
/ did not particularly like the color of his
costumes; they seemed unsuited to so faif q
skin.
Miss Terry wore gown of extraordinary
color and fabric, red, yellow, and greenf with
q few raised flowers ON the sbuh'-quite, Alarm
ing, but probably Venetian.> IryingI looked
like brown and yellow Italian lugertola or
lizard. The costume was very Handsome.
superb in make aud material, buYI felt as If
in the presence of some autuWnal shadow.
His skin wore tho tint of his veS Surc, his eyes
had the same russell shading hiYhair so natu-
rally envied his person that it 600 looked like
q symphony in brown quite harmonious,
but u little monotonous.
The stage setting defes criticism. Perfec-
tion reigns, and the smallest detail has re-
ceived (as usual with Irving the most marked
attention. Tho church sgene was elaborate,
the grouping end drapi3g of figures quite
remarkable in beauty and symmetry. / must,
however, reserve the fullest praise for the or
gan and organist
What heavenly music II was solemn and
solemnly beautiful. The scene which il con-
secrated was so natural that | found it quite
difficult to realize that was not in the same
vast cathedral.
wonder if in America we will ever have
any such perfection Of cast and stage setting
as Irving lavishes in "Much Ado About
Nothing?"
fear me not. Not for awhile at least, but
let us be patient. Even comparison has its
degrees, must Gay that have seen many
pieces well put upon the stage in all the large
cities Of America They compare favorably
with the LyeeuIh theater, but --- only IA.
vorably. Here we find perfection.
do not think Americans will worship the
actor Irving Without doubt and In strict
justice, all shfuld recognize his taste, talent
gentlemanlinCss, and extraordinary aptitude
for the ftneys of things. Remember that one
| cannot Obtain TO any remarkable height with.
out at least the qualification of being able TO
climb Irving is the pet of the British public
He has ckmbed into his position honestly
and honorfbly. Long may he keep it,
FELDEE.
I NN.-