National Republican., 1883-03-01
ANAoosTIA bridge needs repairing 1t is
constantly in USE and should be cared for.
AMUSENIENTS. A
MR.. BARRErr's NEW PLAY.


MR.. BARRETr's NEW PLAY.
In justice alike to very earnest artist and
the public TO which his present efforts are
addressed, attention should be directed to the
work Of Mr.. Barrett in his new play, now
running at the National theater. 1t is the best
work Mr.. Barrett has done within the five
years last gone. This is not to say that the
character is the bost he has play ed within
that time; for his repertory has included sew
eral Of Shakspere's tragedies, and he has played
Richelieu; and Mr.. Young's "Pendragon,"
which he produced last season, is much more
lofty, noble and poetic work than Fran
cesca da Rimini." But the character Of Ian.
ciotto calls out all that is best in him, while
1t asks for mono Of those qualities in which
he is lacking. 1t Is sombre ,smileless,
sternly chivalrous and strong-yet one in
which pulses so tender faculty of loving, so
quick and fine a sensibility, so pathetic ca
pacity for suffering, that by very force Of its
austere outside and physical unloveli-
ness it compels sympathy which in
mono of his other assumptions Mr..
Barrett has been able to entice. His
presentation of it, though marred at times by
that remarkable over-elocution and unnatu-
raj partiality for the rising infection which
make so many Of his other readings unbeara-
bic, is nevertheless cleanly cut, well rounded
work, very honest very real, very acceptable
to every intelligent requirement. Even Mr..
Barretts mannerisms, usually SO distasteful,
here fit in with all the appearance of natural
action. Bold and effective strokes are not
wanting in the work; and even the redundant
language Of the play sits we'll with him. Who
ever can enjoy fine dramatic portraituro
should see him in this part.
| The play might be better cast with even the
4 company Mr.. Barrett has about him. Mr..
James has nothing in common with the part
of Pepe, until the death scene, which his fine
dramatic sense and feeling light with mo-
mentary touch of power. Mr.. Skinner is
boisterous as Paolo. His vigor of voice and
action are very harshly out of harmony with
the spirit of intensost tragedy that broods over
the last act. Miss Wainwright is not to
blame that the character of Francesca be-
comes insipid in her hands, because Miss
Wainwright is no more responsible for the
failure of Providence to endow her with o
power of accentuation than Mr.. Rogers, who
figures as Malatesta, is to blame that Provi-
dence was bounteous to him only in plenti-
ful poverty Of all sorts Of talent.
Too much praise cannot be given Mr. Bar
rett and his stage manager for the dresses
and the groupings they have given TO
the play. Each act closes with a
splendid and romantic picture. Those
which finish the fourth and fifth sets
are as strong, as carefully blended in form and
color as we'll arranged from center to detail,
as though years had been given to the study
of their composition. They are like magnif-
cent canvasses walked to life.
NOTES.
The Hess Opera company-surnamed Acme
will begin brief engagement ut Ford's next Mon
day evening with perfofmOnceof "The Chimes"
This company has made itself known to the peo-
rlc of Washington by several excellent perform.
ances in seasons ast. II still has Harry PeakCs
Alfred Wilkie, James Peakes, Mark Smith, George
Jones, Arthur Tams, and several other gentlemen
ofhgh repute In their profession. The principal
ladies' are Abbie Darlington, Emma Elsner
Rose Leighton, and Lizzie st. Quentin
The operas announced for the week are
Monday, "Chimes ofNormandy" !" Tuesday, "Frs
Dlavolo;" Wednesday matinee, "Mascotte :
Wednesday evening" "Marltana; !" Thursday, "Bo.
! hemian Girl" Friday Faust - Saturday, matt
nee, "Chimcs Of Normandy" Saturday evening
"Martha." The sale of seats will begin this morn
Ing at the theater.
Willie Edouln and his company will play at the
National theater next week their new piece, ~
Bunch of Keys" and their well established old
piece, "Dreams." What the new piece is cannot
be said until 1t has been seen. What the old onI
, Is, everybody knows-one of the most fantasti-
cally funny things extant.