New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-25
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
MR.. IRvING's EXIT.

subsequently he viii visit other cities and shall not
ace him here again until April next year. These four
,ees during which he acted at the Star Theatre have
been to students and lovers of the dramatic art most
pheasant and beneficial Much has been enjoyed and
something been learned. Above ALL the exercise Of
thought been compelled-and that is always bene
faction. There have been twenty-nne performances
presenting in succession, "The Bells" "Charles L."
"Louis XL," "The Merchant Of Venice" "The Lyons
Mail" 1.-THE Bellies Stratagem" lin Two Acts single
Act of Richard Ill.," and recitation Of Thomas Hoods
poem "The Dream OF Eugene Aram." Mr. Irving has
been in Matthias, Charles T.. Louis XII, Shytocs'
Lestrq'es, DuboS Doricotrt GloSter, and Aram' MISS
Ellen Terry has appeared as Queen He"rte"a
Maria, Porta, Janette and Leila Hdray. Con-
spcuous successes have been gained by Mr. Terriss'
Mr.. Mead Mr.. wenman, Mr. Tyars' MT.
Archer, Mr.. Howe and Mr.. Andrews. and
Miss Mlward. 1t has been time OF earneste
resolute ambitious adequate effort upon the stage ana
of quick appreciation and genuine enthusiasm In ront OF
It, The Irving engagement marks an epoch In the history
OF the American theatre. The prosperity OF the draauc
art receives from ii an extraordinary impetus and 1t Will
be attended with consequences fareachng ana Valuable
both on the stage and In the public mnd
The reason of this is obviousor ought to be-to all
who have thoughtfuy followed Mr.. Irvlng's perform
anoes II Is no new doctrine that good actor should be
surrounded with good actors that part In play
should DO judicously cast that every
play should be set in appropriate and IA
tional scenery, 80 as to create and sustain an
illusion OF reality and that careful attention should be
given in every dramatic performance to the details OF
dress and adjuncts to FORM color Conference probability
and all kindred essentials that blend together and make
the rounded and complete picture. This idea has been
formulated before and practically pursued In many
theatres of America Yet its actual prevalence has not
been usual nvariabe and other actor OF our time
has been successful Mr.. Irving in obtaining and
holding in permanent organization, precisely the right
persons and appliances requisite to the attainment OF this
result. All that he has done has been completely done
and therefore each performance has possessed the inter-
and vitality of truth. To look back upon the series
ofpicures that he has presented Is to be impressed al
with amazement at the reality OF them-at the re-
WONDERED glamour of Illusion which, while those pictures
were passing before eyes, made us obliyous OF the
STAGE and aware only of what persons and places
and events OF actual human hfe FurthermOre-which
is another element in the OF Mr. Irvings triumph
his completeness has been rradiated with glowing en-
thusiasm Upon most intellectual men, in this utlita
ran critical and expeditions age, sooner or later there
falls blight OF languOr and detection. They weary OF
weldOng they drOop into apathy sometimes into Dtter
ness and they to insist upon the enforcement OF
ideas Irving. thus far has escaped this too common
experience His spirit still remains eager hopeful buoy
ant, and resoluehe spirit of man interested in his
and his avocatiOn, sympathetic with the Astounding
life which surrounds him. and impelled by the fixed
persuasion success That forceul alert and intrepid
vitality guided by fine intellect and true taste, of
course eyoke the response pleased attention and
Irying's performances could possibly miss In them
tho consciousness of liberated power. The
of defeat and sorrow has not been difused
by them. Something has been attempted. Some
thing has been DONE Right or wrong, achievement
has sufused with fire and with highland that
lies the conquest Of the sympathies Of this world
1t is not possible to specify and catalogue the several
attributes of any human soul The pundts who essay
this are cOmplacent than respectable, and
glib than wise. few of the spiritual facts however
visible and remains TO be said that two other Gle
ments in the of Mr. Irvngs are personal
charm and felicous naturalness of method. In any
situation OF life the personality of this actor would give
the impression of something strange, exceptional and In
various ways attractive. In other words he is a
genius; and whatsoever line of thought he might
manifest his powers their manifestation would inevitably
be attended with originality and allurement He has i'm
here nine different meu-each one distinct
from all the others That is a practical exer-
else OF the art of acting. Yet in doing this,
be has ceased TO exert and the
same personal cham--the charm of genialize-
Intellect. The soul that is within the has sufused
his art and made it victorious. The forms of
preston, lacking this spirit would have lacked the t
lmph. All Of them, indeed, are not equally fine Mr..
Irvng's Matthias and Louis XII higher perform
than his Shyock and DOricour-higher in inagi
native Tone and in adequacy of feeling and treatment
But throughout all these foTps the drift OF his spirit
ettirg boldly away from conventions and fonalities
las been manifested with delightful results. He has al
ways seemed to be alive with the specific vitality Of the
person represented he has seemed be wooden
,uppet OF the stage bound Ia by formaty and tIanne
scholastic ideal OF technical
This is the naturanees Of his method, and ,
led too far With his, deals-with what was
to be passing Sd. ais tn mas not Sea
ound In the physical mediums OF expression and in the
crbed as the Overwhelming ecstasy or frenzy Of the
assOns He belongs TO the traditions OF kemble and
Iean Yet nc is distinct from both OF artistic an
estors, and in ways he has beyond Them In
onaniic in the SLOW yiyiseciiOn Of morbid human
Misery his figure stands apart from all othersonely
The Performance of last night strengthened without
hanging Impressions already made and stated The
muated ervor and the saOnlc satire that are oharaO
artistic of Shakespeare Richard ~ Mr. irving ex. u
and preposeTous scene Of Gioser;s Woone
the widowed LaSg 1Sne. This glimpse Of his ideal =
Rirhard prompted the eager wish to see more Of what
ital OF Eugene Aram superb piece Of acted s
emorse, fluent, flexible eloquent passionate aud very
assed smoothly and Miss Ellen Terry's fascinating
ortrayal OF Leg Herdg delighted the house beyond ex
ressiOn. There was a great crowd, and our English
1ends received farewell greeting such only great
lerit could win or genuine admiration bestOw.
MR.. IRYING's SPEECH.
Immediately before the recital Of Eugene Aram" Mr.
rying addressed his audience substantially as follows
Ladies Gentlemen Ishould be unjust myselfI u
-ere to allow this moment to pass with NJ
ut at least endeavoring to express my graft nj
lde for your great kndess to my comrades p
nd myself When 1 stood here for the first time, III
bout month ago, yentued TO express the hope (on-
,uraged by your generous applausel that loves ri
light increase even days do grow" You, 81
pom your part have fulfilled our highest ancpations.
bespoke your consideration for my artist
lien Terry, saying that she would win your hearts and ID
believe wrong tonight in thinking that she has
me We all regret that stay with you is not longer
that 1t is not months instead OF weeks. on
u / am not here 10 bid you farewell. /
III only say An RevOir. We expect 10 0e
pear before You again next April when shall At
esent "Much Ado" and Hamlet" These plays were