National Republican., 1883-01-31
AMuSEAIENTS,
NATIONAL THEATER-" THE NEW MAeDA
LEN"


LEM"
The performance of "The New Magdalen,"
by the members of tho Salvini company, was
most agreeable surprise to those who were
present in the National theater last evening
1t is not the case that Off nights, during the
engagement of any great artist, offer an espe-
cially desirable quality of entertainment. The
force of a supporting organization is generally
reserved for tho benefit of the artist to whom
the fortunes of the manager are pinned, and
toward whose advancement in public notice
all the managers efforts are directed. The
present is most noteworthy exception to
this rule. While the characters in "The
New Magdalen" were not all sustained
with equal ability two of them were so
remarkably we'll presented that the i'm
preston remaining after it was one
of decided qualification and approval
Tho play rests upon Mercy Merrick and
Julian Gray. Mr.. Lewis Morrison had the
part last named, and the other was played by
Marie Prescott. A memory that runs back to
the first production of the play and includes
every considerable performances it has ever
had on this side the ocean has
these two parts. II was such work as would
have instantly brought fame and fortune to
both artists had the play been new and the
conditions oven partially favorable. Miss
Prescott shows not only physical and emo
tional power in it, but an intellectual fine
ness and strength, and a facility of expression,
such as very few of our younger actresses
haven than hints of. Mr.. Morrison's pcrfor-
nance is graduated from genial land genuine)
| light comedy in the first act, to a pure and
| lofty dignity in the last, from which the lines
themselves derived an added value. His
work was done with an obvious love for it,
and hearty sympathy with every line and
action in it. Mr.. Morrison's Iago divided ap-
plause and success with Salvini's Othello
The man who can play such an Iago
one night, and the next present so splendidly
opposite portraiture as his Julian Gray, is a
great actorno matter whether his name stands
high or low upon the public's acquaintance
list After such an evidence of what is in them
to do, almost anything either Of these artists
may have to offer will be very likely to be ac
cepted.
Miss Belgrade offered an admirable per
formance of the thankless character of Grace
Roseberry.
The deficiency of cast was in a quarter
where no such thing would have been ex
pected. Miss Virginia Buchanan, lady
whose experience and well-attested skill
might have warranted any one in looking t.
her for intelligent work, fell very far shor
of the attractive opportunities offered in thu
character of Lady Janet. Miss Buchanan wai
n pleasing vision. She never was andnever
can be less than that. But her entire evening
was one of insipidity, whore acidulous energy
should have been displayed. Virginia Buch
anan is yet too young, and has yet too many
possibilities to be excused for lack of in
terest in herself.
Mr.. Archie Cowper occasioned some littl,
surprise by n very well considered and neatly
finished portrayal of tho character of Horace
Holmerosft 1t was better work than any
thing he has done in the past would have led
any one TO look for at his hands,
The play will be repeated at the matine,
| tn-lay