National Republican., 1883-01-30

actor He has that suflicency in all essentials
which marks the man of true dramatic in
stinct; and that finesse which shows the care
full aud acute student. His several calls before
the curtain were handsomely earned. And so
was the applause that followed upon Miss Pres
colts scenes Miss Belgrade attracts respect
rather than admiration. She reads with in
telligence and has no especial lack in her act
ing, but her Desdemona is not like to make
any very marked impression. 1t indicates
rather than realizes the beautifully gentle and
very warm humanity of that most lovablc
character. 1t wholly fails to convey to the
eye any such pleasing first impression as
would enforce sympathy when the clouds close
in upon Desdemonas life.
The few minor parts were we'll enough
carried. The only mistake made in the
people employed was with the supernumer-
aries. IL would bo better always to play
scene with stage bare of all such accessories
than trust the gravity Of an audience, where
important business of the play is to be con-
sidered to the ignorant awkwardness of these
cattle.
ToRD's.-T1IE wYNDHAM COMPANY.
Mr.. Charles Wyndham and his comedy com
pany appeared last evening before an au-
dience about us large as Ford's opera house
would easily accommodate. With this au-
diencc, tho entertainment was entirely sue
cessful.
Mr. Wyndham may have been slightly mis-
represented by the advance notices which
have described him rs one of the finest of
light comedians. He is less a light comedian
than an excessively funny person. His Bob
Sacket should not be hung in any gallery of
light comedy pictures. If Mr.. Wyndham in
tended simply to show how extraordinarily
funny he can be, he succeeded admirably. The
audience was in gale of delight from
beginning TO end of the performance. The
instant he appeared he established himself
with the house. He has n most uncommon
quality of sympathy, which will put him on n
footing anywhere. Yet his art is not devoid
of effort. 1t is not that simplicity which
is the last form of excellence to be at
tained. To do tho acrobatic feats which
he performs during the action of " Brighton"
requires uncommon agility; and rs the fun
is kept at boiling point to efIervesco continu-
ously through the whole four acts requires as
much force as usually is expended in vigor-
Gus impersonation of Othello. Mr. Wyndham
falls admirably into the character of Lon
don man about town. In voice and
makeup he is even better. than in action
His stage business and technique cannot be
too highly praised. lie plays with his COM
pany, not at his audience; and the charm Of
practiced and easy acting is pleasingly appa'
rent in whatever he does He has niccties OF
action and occasional excellences of manner
that are highly agreeable and highly
suggestive Of what he might accom-
plished in real comedy. Unfortunately
thcreis little likelihood that he will be seer
in anything of u more meritorious order. His
fame, his fortune, and his company have
grown up around a cluster of Palais Roya
pieces, in which he has SO far excelled al
others as to have become marked for farce
acting through the rest of his days,
The support was admirable and tho char
acters evenly sustained. Many little point
were observable which suggest question a
to whether the English stage is much NOR,
reliable school of manners than our own
For example, it was bit surprising Il
many in tho audience to see hov
pcrsistently Bob Sackett and Jack Benedic
kept their hats on. A good many touche
local to London remain in the piece withou
particularly helping it. Such a touch is al
alluson to Sir Jules Benedict, which woul
have set the Criterion in roar, but fell fla
in Ford's
Miss Norreys, as Mrs. Carter, did simplicit
and sly-boots with very pretty and delicat
humor, Mr. Blakcly, as Mr.. Vanderpuml
, was full of robust fun, and Mr.. Days Jac
Benedict was very good imitation of M
Wyndham's Bob Sackett The whole suppoi
deserves great praise. The scenery and COZ
tunes were of the same order of oxcellenc
:, The audience was enthusiastic, and Mr.. Wynt
= ham had a recall after every act