New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-18
THE DRAMA-MUSI
THE DRAMATIC WEEK.

An important and Interesting dramatic week
has ended and another begins The return Of Miss An
derson to the NewYork stage tie chief event OF ths
past week. and her presence here remains the most I'M
portant fact in our immediate theatrical record Mis-.
Anderson has presented the BEST because the truest
impersonaton OF shakcspcare's Rosdnd that has been
seen the American stage during the present genera
ton and whc 1t is true that her In tragedy
must for constitutional reasons always be greater than
her success comedy, this single performance has SUI
feed 10 establish her rank with the best performers of
high comedy whether IN England or America In her
dramatic company Mr.. Forbes Robertson has dis,in.
guished himself as Orlando Mr.. Macklin has made
distinct hit JGqeS Miss Tilbnry has produced charm
ing impression celia; Mr. Hayes has obtained much
critical praise for his portrayal Of the usurping Duke;
Mr. Taylor has shown himself TO be an admirable
dian IN the humor OF ToChStonc; and Mrs. Ellington has
given dro embodiment OF A"dleU AS You
Like 1t" will be repeated Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings and at Saturday Matinee. On
Thursday evening Miss Anderson will act In M
Gilberts plays of "Pygmalion and Galatca,'
and Tragedy and Comedy" Tho receipts dur.
ing the week past arc stated at about $4,000
The audience Oh the first night was exceedingly
enthusiastic On subsequent nights It has evincet It's
pleasure By eager attention rather than By much demon.
strativc applause.
Another important event OF the week was Mr. HIS
production OF and Juliet at the Union sqnare
Upon Miss Margaret Mathers performance ofJUiid
statement OF first impressions mas already Deen made In
this journal Thought upon this actress has not tended
TO modify tie Judgment then recorded Miss Mather
made nothing of the earlier OF Jiifs experience
but In the later her sprint became free and she
gave striking exhibition OF tragic feeling and power
This was, however. mostly effected by mel0dramatie
means-such the cutchng OF the vial with shreks Of
historical laughter from the hands OF Eor LdUr'ne and
the rolling down the steps after drinking the potion
These and kindred expedents not harmonious with
lack OF decD thought and Of
trie dramatic Judgment as the art OF acting 1t will
not be questioned that Miss Mathcr Il woman sig.
nal ability and who has trained her faculties with
earnest and aborous zeal but nature Is above art"
In some things and the ceverest persons are seldom
found to be equally able I'm every line OF action Miss
Mather, tendencies obviously 60 melo-drama. Its
equally obvious that she has schoocd herself into an
artificial iron.bound repression, which, probably she
mistakes for repo,t and which cannot too soon be re-
axcd. The moments I'm which this actress Is at her
best-thc moments in which she IS really fine are those
OF seemingly reckless excitement Ii is said that Miss
Mather plays remarkably well In the drama OF Leah,
the Forsaken" Il does not appear that size Is likely
70 obtain a real success In the character OF Juiiet
Upon Mr. HIPS production OF shakespeares
tragedy It would easily he possible to
bestow many words. bat the essential iaes
about IT may forth within brief compass Much
care has been and much money has been spent for
the purpose OF turning Romeo and Juliet" Into
elaborate and shining most Of which are oYerad
with resnendent and Inappropriate color, and the GEN
eral effect OF which is that Of garsh and indscrmihae
opulence No attempt. apparently was made to COPY
anything that is in Verona. No thought was t'Sen
about the beauty of mcOwness in color or the use oil
shallow NJ well light. The continuity OF the play and
the consistency sustained illusion have been freely sac.
r,nccd 70 stage effect The time OF this tragedy. which
masses inside of I'VE days. Is tho middle OF july in Italy,
and all It's surroundings should OF course, be those
OF midsummer ancuOr and fragrant bloom let IN ths
production JulierS bedroom is furnished with bright
fire OF blazing logs chorus or nuildens that comes
akcu Jci or her bridal morning ranges itself IN her
apartment finding her lead. and sings u dirgc. Two
monks, uubIldcn and apparently moved by clOckNOfk
come ont of the wall In frar LGrcrcHces cell aad place
hassocks for the lovers to kneel upon.
ut the su .dcn and unexpected ceepr!lGa
~ their secret marriage The tomb is Hooded outside
with moonlight ana inside with gasliglt and IN llSefb
simply massive. gllded and illuminated g.o' -IcH'
aiOrdng suggestion whatever OF death or the Guar,
nehon, The tragedy is closed by the Introduction OF
great company of rars. VINO stand In the ch9r l) ara
and sing the AtscFer'-preclsSiy rs IL h"" iu n.se'
bespokcn their ecclesiastical services ut ms iuhctdl
sono OF these errors are copied nom Mr. irHs
In London three years ,.a.g.1; me inir noS
fondc was absurd on that occasion with Miss Terry;
1t "a more absIrl now with Miss Mathrr II tl'tr 20
anything in tins world for which Jiict cares nohlng
whatever. that tang Is ehl!dhoodi sue j. y oaIs
In her first love. and by that love hcr natues
completely cnthraed and absorbed. I'D. ,
exception OF Mir Edwin Cleary "a Iy6~f ana MI weaver
tation II prasrs Mr.. Pauldug to represent RoHeo az
the outset OcOse individual. ANA Throughout the
performance make this elegant and lmp1sslohe9
lover wel-utgh langhable with " muggng aha
contortou Mr.. Lcviok takes the liberty OF degrading
NsrcnfiO Dy tho Introduction Of words ana buSlhcs
which are mildly described a. coarse and inappr"pde
vet this veteran is u he credited with performance OF
Technical corrrc and OF sapGic fcrce Tie ,ceue
viewed merely as painting Of walls budln-,, w"br
foliage ana other aduncs Of CIVILIZATION maHests Tue
undenahe >kil OF competent painters thirteen OF tae
scenes were pauted 10y Mr.. william NOcgttln, one V
Mr.. Hugh>On .Haw.cy ana one ,Ny ~.
George lI.eaaman. Mr. Henry Tl'snst1n
has furnished appfOlllitc lbcldcbtl m"s''
original As well selected. The best part OF th' pro-
duction drcs sing devised by Mr.. Alired lhemP
son; but this there il marked tendency 10 vac
pretiness OF the ballet rather than to that costly but
quiet wealth tone and fabric which Shakespeare MN
self described not expressed IN fancy ucA not
gnudy." There Ia an Old play In which Bunton ue'dto
act an ignorant parvenu who incidentally wishes 70
Furnish his library and who Is asked whether he wants
10 have the old authors" Not ono or tb,
he answers all new" This sentiment has appatenuy
prevailed in the gettingup OF " RomeO ana juliet AZ
No Union square Theatre The piece Is done IN six a's
and eighteen scenes and IL Will DC repeated III! iut'E