New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-10
MCCULLOUGH AT NIBLOS.

Mr. McCullouVh', impersonation of Virginims was
SEEN last night, by great company OF spectators,
at Niblo's Garden, and it wrought upon them an
overw helming effect of sympathy and PASSION 1t
is seldom indeed that the spirit of character and
the temperament of an actor have proved so en-
tireIy harmonious in this instance. Prgtnius, as
drawn In Knowles vigorous and eloquent tragedy.
IS the perfect type of cOnsummate manlness
natural integrity-not acquired but Inborn,-
paternaI love- and the most sublime heroism. A
firm comprehensive and delicate art is essential to
the maintenance of this identity throughout the
varOus and contrasted scenes OF the play; but
mature is alb art" in the original attainment OF
it. No actor ever create al illusion with Vr-
oiaius except by virtue of inherent nobility and
tenderness. Mr. McCullongh's identification with
the character is abso ute and the observer accord
ingly, looks upon this performance. not ss art but
as life In bis betrOthal of Virginia TO fcitius he
presents stage picture entirely truthful, 50
complete so sacred Ill Its pure emotion, and so
ample in its implied knowledge Of The human heart
and of the affecting trials incdenfO even the hap
pest human expe fence, that no man OF woman who
has ever known what 1t is to love child can Look
at il except through tears or will remember it
without ennobliug solemuity.
This sitnation-and indeed each of the pivotal
situations in the tragedy,-s simple; and herein
VirgiaiHs supplies the most exactIng test TO which
an actor can be subjected. The old method OF act
ing Virginius formal and in fact, tho part Is
one that would naturally force an insincere repre-
sentative of it into Formally which IS deemed
classical" or into extravaganza for the sake OF
compelling effect Mr.. Mccullough feels its spirit
so acutey and intensely that, while respecting the
ideal tone and form of the work,-whch is a poem
in blank verse,-by preserving statuesque majesty
of demeanor he likewise invests the part with
,lar Al "a hum he
is felt not only TO fall from his lips but to flow from
his heart. The vague subtle, evanescent pre-
science of impending evil, which fits the mind
of Tirginius like light summer cloud, affords q
point Tor the especial exemplIfcaton of lis delicate.
sure and true artistic method. There is here rapt
manner. deeply Impressive, and there is here a note
of pathos In the voice, which floats like moment
airy mournful echo through he gay jansls of silver
bells This same rapt manner but higher, liner.
sweetcr, and nexpressibly touching, is seen again
in this TrgiHius, when, needless OF what his im-
pcriled daughter says, aud indeed of all around
him. the sublimey tender father looks i'll her face
and murmurs more to his own consccrated spirit
than to any human ear, " l never saw thee look SO
like thy mother child, in all my life" This is the
sort of moment at which this grand actor lets his
soul slime forth through his work with irresistible
warmth and radiant beauty. Hear him exclaimed
the dead Aumitcrid-" her lips are cold,' aud the
imagination and comprehends, in orc thsillng
moment the rounded vision of q welded lie of UNI
blemished sanctity and perfect happiness. From
this at once the nearer knows in what manner the
heart of Tirgiaas can love, and in what eternity OF
uuswerving devotion it is bestowed.
To Mr Mccullough. if for nothing else. the play
eoers of this period owe debt of gratitude, for
making them understand, and feel, the solidItv of
manly principle and manly affection. The art of
1s tie m a h.
server sadly knows-in farceurS, butterflies, flip
pancJ frvolity. inideiy and the h9 bit Of sati-lca
scorn. But this is an actor who is not ashamed of
his honest human heart, and who comes to the
world with tn splendid message of goodness, sin.
certy. and beneicent strength. In the great
Forum Scene of Nlrginius' il is said that Mac
ready was not less sublime than pathetic. The
scene one wherein the weight of personal charac
ter must inevitably tell-and, indeed is indispensa-
BILE Macready's My child-my daughter-who
now kneels 10 you.' caused convulSlons of anguish
The presence may have seemed more colossal the
art broader: the mentality more fiery and scorch-
ing the hardly restraining delirium more tremen-
dOus and agOnlzng. Macreadys spirit was like
vitrio which burnt whatcvrrit touched. But We AZ
not conceive OF great reality. more atilcung agony
more appalling terror, than these vita which Mr.
Mccullough invests the Roman Father. IN this mag
nltcent crisis of his ta,e The ey eglaSS and rilsn
water critics Of our time are naturally prone "a
deny AL merit TO all actors except the dead. But
TINS toO-prevalent custom of the day shall not
restrain lis from again halllng Mr.. McCul,Oughs
perS0nati0n of JTginiGs as n great work Among
the many fine things set before this public, Iasc
night III the local theatres tins the finest and
the most important-slDce IL eNempllaed, best OF
all the immortal spirit OF the dramatic art Ii was
received with plaudits, with tears with whole
hearted admiration. aud with those subd ed and
tremulous feelings of the awakened spirit, which
always leave the mind better than when they
found 1t.