National Republican., 1883-12-13
ADJUSTMENTS.
FoRD's-MRs. LANGTRY IN "THE HUNcH-
BACK"

FoRD's-MRs. LAEGTRY IN THE HUNcH-
BACK"
Sheridan Knowles's play, "The Hunch-
back" was given at Fords last night with
Mrs. Laugtry as Julia. Of this work, although
the seal Of public approval has stamped II as
standard play, and its merit is sufficiently
pronounced to Justify the popular verdict,
yet sound criticism must declare that it is
but the echo of Sheridan, faint
and far-fetched. 1t has the faults
of that sparkling dramatist aud
only the ghost of his excellences. Sheridan
Knowles, at his best, was but a second
edition of Sheridan, with the geuius expur-
gated and the common places elaborated.
And, though keeping its place on the stage,
and likely to keep it for generations to come,
it is not adapted to Mrs, Langtry's peculiar
abilities or to Mrs. Langtry's peculiar style.
The acting Of this lady has been suffi-
GENTLY criticised, and tho bulk of the criti-
cism is just. She has not yet advanced
through labor and study to position where
she could challenge admiration or approval
as an impersunator Of character, or an inter
prefer of emotion. 1t is not saying too much
to say she will mover, eau never, advance to
that position. 1t is tho part of wisdom for
her, pursuing the role Of an actress, to appear
only in that class of comedy that will best
show off her only gift, the divine gift of
! grace.
| For with grace, that subtle, indefnabe
quality, as high as genius and almost as rare,
Mrs. Langtry is supremely endowed. She
could not bo ungrsceful tried she evor so
hard, In all tho scenes she personated last
night that one inherent quality was always
present, palliating ooncoaling, though it could
not redeem. the inartistic and unlife-
like acting, In the garden scene,
where Clifford overhears her boast
as to what will be her extravaganza
when she becomes Lady Clifford, her sudden
start, her breathing, tho swelling of heI
bosom, the distortion Of her neck, the un'
meaning rolling of her eyes would have been
forced and unnatural but for this subtle, this
glorious gift of grace And at tho close of the
scene she threw herself into the arms o.
Helen and tainted with reckless abandon
that would have heen perilpus in almost any
other actress Oh the stage but in her was a
graceful as the droop Of flower tendril o.
the curve of o wild birds wing Her beauty
is overrated, and whatever be magnetism il
stage. But in grace, that highest aspiration
: OF the Greek sculptor's soul, and which
! caught in his dreams and imprisoned f9seye
on the stone of the Milonian Venus and the
Clyte. Mrs. Langtry is superb and supreme
Her support was generally fair Mr.. A. II
) Weaver as Master Walter rendered that diff
cult part very creditably. Mrs, Adele Hous
ton. barring some unpleasant mannerismf
2 presented very fair Helen. Mr.. Arthu
; Elwoods Modus was good. As lover MI
Carne's Sir Thomas Clifford was not q sue
cess. The mounting Of the play and the cos
u tuning were very good, indeed.
> Tonight "The Hunchback" is repeated.
t NATIONAL THEATER-'HAMLET.N
= With each seeing Of Shakspeare's Hamlet
the conviction becomes stronger that II Is nc
an acting play; that no matter how intelli
CONT the actor he cannot satisfactorily presen
. in costume speech, and action the maste
G creation of the immortal bard. One can s
i down quietly in his library and, wit
= copy of the play grasp and enjoy th
:, subtle beauties of the text, appreci ate Il
. philosophy in every monologue and form h
- own conception Of the character Of Hamle
but let him attempt to yitalize that enneel
h tion, to present it to others exactly 8
1t he understands II himself aud
"a realizes the futlity of the undertaken
Whether he believes that Hamlet W
a man of thorough culture, with the OF
" dominant purpose Of ayengipg his father
" murder. and that he affects an autie dlspo
It, ton TO better serve that purpose, OF whoth
De he COnGeives chat the grief Of tho you