New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-08
LAWRENCE BARRETT IN LONDON.

Mr.. Barrett has ended his engagement at the
yvcenm Theatre in London and he WILL in July return 10
the United states He acted in London only seven "eeAs
and he appeared in only two chsracters-foFtc" an"
cheIeu He was received with great cordlaVy' All"
Vortex be was sincerely admired and heartily prSseu
such eminently capable and experienced critics as
George Augustus ssla, Clement Scott ana Joseph
recognized In him sympathetic power as well as thorOugn
command Of the of histonc art ana on every
hand sometimes with cautious reservation, but always
in thoughtful and liberal spirit, his merits were "u'
mted and proclaimed.
The play OF "Yorick's Love-, however was not hHeu
It's introduction of a upon the stage In snake
speares time viewed serious NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Is known that did not perform on the EhEnsn
earlier than $780, aud this anachronism was
70 be destructive OF the ruhfuness of the work. coAu
cred n historical point OF view Ordnance may De
"shot oa" in the play Of Hamlet" although no sch
thing existed IN the time which that play relates But
In this matter OF license 1t may be necessary TOT learning
TO show that is sometimes able to draw the line Tue
utany scene Of "Yorick's Love which really is
blemsh such long ago characterized IN thls
journa-was deemed ludcTous; and the terminaton ol
the piece thought an anti-climax
Altogether the play got the cold shoulder, and
after two weeks Mr. Barrett withdrew 1t and pre-
scented Rieheieu He had, personally, as an
actor. made an excellent impression The new effort
brought him into comparison with Macreacy Phelps ana
Irving among English actors, and with Edwin Booth
among Americans. Booths Rchee" is stu fresh IN the
memory of London playgoeTs, and II Is regarded oy
MANY good Judges, there and in America as the
best that has raced the stage since the time OF MareAdy
Indeed the veteran John Ryder, who acted with Mac
ready and almost idozed him, said that Booths Rene
lieu Is the best of the twoand therefore the best OF all
Mr. Barretts choice Of RicheiieH, for his second
mart seams not TO have been sagacious lie
He Is exceedingly eloquent in the Cardinal. and
his defamation, in the fourth act Is profoundly
earnest fervid and effective. But the emo
tional quality OF the aetOrthe something wherein bis
Individuality consists-nnds nothing like the scope IN
RehsIe that il finds in CqSSiHS. This undoubtedly Is
mis- hest perfOrmaRcei and this should have followed
YOrick.
A revival of julius Cesar" at the London Lycsum
Theatre was task OF great dfhculty ana pos
sbly not practicable within the limited term OF MI Bar
retts engagement. That piece would not pe acccptcu
unless gwen with great splendOr and appoint
ments But is be regretted that the London puDnc
did not MI Barrett CtSSS for as the case now
stands they but partial and limited Idea or MS
abilities or of what he has accomplished Inc
characters In which, particularly. Lawrence bar
HarebeH IN The Man of AIrie" and James v, in " The
King OF the Commsns' He has risen to nigh rank amt
made valuable fame in these parts; and the ac tnat
London criticism has not cordially accepted MS
Riehetieu makes difference as TO MS posi-
tOn among the leaders OF the modern stage.
His influence has been that of intellect and refinement
steadily beneficial never injurious The stage, In MS
hands has asserted and maintained as learned
has been honor 10 IL, In every way
and. whether abroad at home in whatever fortune
admiration oa who cherish hewelfare Of drama ana
rightly appreciate the importance OF exalted character as
well brilliant talent In its leading representatives MI
Rarrett's engagement ended on the Both OF May.