The Sunday herald., 1886-11-07
AMUSE NJ ENTS.


he is quite as good a melancholy Dane as he was
Department clerk. ANA a better pefruchio than
"changc- c-rlicher," Seriously, however, 10 borrow
an expressive phrase from the lexicon OF athletics
Mr.. James is one OF the best "a-around" actors In
the profession. Despite very pronounced ana no,
easily dlsgulsahc personality he is nothing II NOT
versatile. "Tragical-comcal, hstorlca-past ?
etc, the whole range OF dramatic composition ap.
pears at one time or another to have cmrloycd his
varied powers. Ills exploits during the past week,
albeit confined To those higher walks OF the drama
where stalk the stately wraihs OF Shakespeare Bul-
wor, and sheridan Knowles, have oscIatcd with
feverishy brilliant celerlty fiom grave to eay from
lively to severe. From Vnpinius to BenedicS,
| from Hamlet dnd Richeiieu 10 the Tanner OF the
| shrew. When on Monday night he strode upon the
| stage clad chleny In his own good arms and legs,
and that snbllmated tabe.coih dear to classical
tradition as the oga, he was welcomed with greet
Ing meant both for the man and the actor, the old
friend and feow-ctizen, and the conscientious and
consummate artist. And he looked right worthy OF
ALL In form and feature, In glance and hearing he
was every inch the Ideal Roman father and soldier.
And especially above decks. For II may generally be
noticed that what with Indian clubs, dumb bells, and
fencing, tand counting In the voice besdes,) your
tragic actor Ia apt to be tribe top-heavy-al right
up stairs, though somewhat queer In the legs. But
then the tragedy audience and applause is generally
a little topheavy also, and thickest near
the roof, so honors are easy. While the
stalls and boxes may lend languid
hand OF approval to his Efforts II Is from the hard.
listed, hob-nailed thumps of the gallery, the good
natured thunder Of the "gods that your heavy ira
gedan nnds his labors llghtened by the sweetes,
guerdon OF applause. There is no such keen and
dlscrmnative critic OF old-fashoned tragedy as the
gallery god. fodr superclvillzed swes below stairs
may be fooled by stage tricks OF rant and fustiap,
but nature unspoed aud untrammeed abides
among the peanuts shells aof and touch OF nature
10 al tfaof fxvtkh
Ing Of dramatic juries. But 1t was from all por-
tons OF the house alike that washlneton's welcome
numbered upon Louis James last Monday night.
AT every curtain there was deafenng redemant,
and after acts three and four the avorte actor and
his lovely wife were brought back to the footllghs
again and again. on Tuesday night the classic
sheets and tab!e-coths gave place to cleaning silk
and satin, the cinquecento run and stomacher,
hose and doublet. laughing sprlte, all sheen and
sparkle, from beaming eyes to iashing Jewels,
danced gaily upon the stage, the falrest Beatrice
since Adelaide Nelson, and blithesome and mag
netic as the wondrous Terry. 1t was Marie VAIN
wrRhts Innings, and she played II for all that II was
worth. But the Benedick Of Mr.. James was almost
equally infused with the airy and mocking spirit OF
the great dramatist, and gave life and meaning to
each word and syllable OF the role. Wednesday
again these two admirable artists divided the honors
as Hamlet and Ophe,fd, and so throughout the
week, which only space forblds us the pleasure Of
genius OF this gifted couple delighted large and ap.
preciative houses In the lofter plane 1.-THE actors
art which they have chosen they will doubtless soon
the same sort OF friendly and familiar corner
In the public heart that the genial Florences 80 long
have held In the realms OF comedy. But with 1t all
we cannot help q regret that the exigencies
OF the tragedlan career will for long time lose to
us the pleasure OF renewing our acquaintance with
Mr.. James In some Of the lighter roles of farce
comedy, In which he won such we-earned laurels
during his engagement In the Nationals stock COM
pany some seasons back. The eternal illness OF
things-though we don't exactly see why-seems to
make "Champagne and Oysters" for instance, "For-
hidden Frult' to the Hamlet Of yestereen. But one
play the James pair might well add to their reper-
tory and another season hope to witness 1t an
accomplished fact. ills more than twelve years since
Augustin DAILY produced In sumptuous fashion for
that period the SchoOl for Scandal" with an almost
Ideal cast, embracing such names as Fanny Daven-
port Lady Tedzie; Charles Fisher, Sir Peter, George
Clark, the best jeune premier of the time. Charles
SuJdce, and James Lcwls, Sarah Jcwett, and Mrs
Gilbert In lesser roles. But by long odds the "hit
OF the piece throughout the run was the Joseph Sur
| rdce of Louis James. Every night his speech to
Lady Ted.ie, concluding "the consciousness of your
own Innocence" and his sham slumber and awaking
with "My-dearSr- Peter" were tho signals for the
spontaneous and prolonged applause due to a fin
ished bit of acting worthy OF the Con,edie Fran
cdfse. And then TO think what lovely Lady Teazle
we would have In Marie Wainwright. Well
equipped as Louis James undoubtedly is for tragedy
by his noble and sonorOus voice, 1ne physique and
splendid carriage admirably he Ia seconded by the
appealing grace and beauty and the sweet and SYM
pathetic voice OF his accomplished wife, we feel
convinced they both will Ind their properest field
and most rich reward In the line of elegant comedy
SO long neglected on our STAGE and chiefly for lack
OF lifting representatives. or their present support
Mr. M'sely, the leading man, looked handsome and
acted with taste and Judgment in his varied roles
while Mr. Tilton made such perous transits as from
Dentatus to Do0berrv, with most admired dscre.
tion. Miss KittIe Wilson and Miss Kate Meek
should also be mentioned for faithful and
work The plays were put upon the stage In man.
ner most creditaole to the management. not forget
ng the fact that two of them at least had been pre-
scented here during the Irving engagements.
The week at the Opera House opposite the Presi
| dental Park has been rendered memorable by the
farewell engagement OF Nine. Janauschek. For
many years she has been in our midst, the mos.
powerful and impressive exponent of legitimate
tragedy since Charlotte Cushman. The melancholy
fire OF those mysterious eyes, the low and awe
compelling tones Of that deep and vibrant voice. the
Rrandlose and imperlous poise and gesture will long
remain In our memories as noble and ideal embOd-
ment OF lofty tragical conception. SO too the benen
cence OF her work will long survive her departure
for the influence she has exercised upon our dra-
|
time when such influence was most needed. The
first four nights of the week were devoted to Meg
AeiTfies. In version somewhat differing from that
OF Miss Cushman and Miss Anderson, yet In some
respects an improvement. Nine. Japauschek does
not come upon the stage until the third act, and till
then the drama may be said to drag. But from the
ehecve tabeau OF her entrance to the awful climax
OF her death she holds the audience spell.bound
with all Of her Old-time power. Mr.. Eberle, who
sustains the role OF nomfnie Samson In the play,
performed 1t for many years with Miss
Cushman. 1t Ia a most finished and admirable crea.
tion, the Identical quaint lOvable old pedant whom
Sir Walter had In his thought and heart The
Dirck Hatterick OF MIR. Beverly and the Dandfe
Dinia0nt OF Mr.. Chaplin were also credtab.e i'm.
PRESENTATIONS. With regard to the somewhat too
plentiful Incidental music It may be said that IL the
ManneriBg and Bertram families were really ad-
dicted to that style Of vocalism, death must have
seemed precious boon to any of their neighbors
who couldn't afford TO move. The President who
with Mrs. Cleveland attended the performance on
Thursday night, looked II he felt very much that
way himself. The great Hagedienne's portrayal OF
the dual role OF unhappy Lady BedlOGL and HOr-
tense, her mnrderous French mad, Is too well
known to require further words than that 1t was the
same marvel OF tragic inspiration as ever. OF the
support Miss Lavlna shannon gave an affecting pic
ture OF the peculiarly Dickensy figure OF Poor joe
the wretched walt, who was kept showing on" I'LL
ne hnally moved out, and Mr.. Shine was painstaking
and fairly amusing as the young man by the name
OF GaDpn smother and Son" WAS given at the
Wednesday matinee and the week closed with fine
presentation OF "Marie Antoinette."
ON Monday night the New National Theatre will
present the first week OF opera this season. the cee.
brated Carleton Opera Company appearing In the
popular New York Casino success, "Nanon,"
which achieved u run of one hundred and nifty nights
In New York CITY whom Mr.. Carleton appeared In 1t
| therea year ago. This noted opera comIque has
been produced In every leading city OF the country
except Washington. dlling term OF eight weeEs at
| the BALDWIN Theatre, San Francisco; nine weeks
at the Hollis-street Theatre Boston, eight weeks at
the Cheslnutstreet Theatre, Philadelphia; six weeks
| az iooeys Theatre and the Grand Opera House,
Chicago and shorter engagements In other places OF
prominence; and the success 1t has attained has
been without precedent In the record OF lyric produc
tions, not even excepting the remarkable prosperity
| attained by Gilbert sulliyans operas. The or
ganlzation which Mr.. Carleton has effected for the
production this work has received the Kind
OF praise for the admirable character OF its work
Mr.. Carleton himself Will he pleasantly remembered
| for the rendered a Clara Innia. alIaoo