New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-12
THE DRAMA.
WILSON BARRETT AS CLAUDIAN.

crowded house, with the presence OF intellect beauty,
aud fashion, with nsplritng music with eager public
interest," and with frequent outoursts OF sincere ap
plause-Mr Wilson Barrett made. last night at the Star
Theatre first appearance on the American stage and
eavs first OF sories OF perfor which, should
tho Successors provo DO fine as thone will lay the
sure foundation OF a. bright fame for Hun on this
Western continent that he has so long enjoyed In his
native land It IL tho custom OF the Ameroan au-
disnce as 1t 10 that the usual audience In England to
greet tho stranger with GOODNESS IL not with downright
hostlity: to oppose frat appeal grim determn-
alton not to be pleased. II pleasure osn possov DO
avoided to freeze him with an Icy and supercious IN
feasibility and thus to assert the noble prerosauvo Oh
educated fasdious and Independent Judgment. Thers
Is room here. and kind welcome. for every worthy
artist who seeks our shores ne succeeds, his succe"
IA rscoenzed with satisfacton he fails, hs failure 10
seen with regret.
Such spectacle as was presented In the Star Theatre
last night, accordingly lie not uncommon. Upon Mr.
Wilson Bsrrets hrst entrance as Cduaian the oneer-
ing acclamation that hailed him was vigorous ana em-
phatio At many points, ~ his performance proceeded,
thore wero manifestations OF strong personal favor aud
the final popular verdict was ono OF unequivocal ro
spect for excellent dramatic powers employed Win
noble vRor and remarkable judgment In the greetinS
thus accorded to Mr. Wilson Barrett IL was not dicun
to perceive special and unusual signhoanoe OF cord-
aty ringing emphasis OF good WILL sucn as proceeds
moro from tho aroused popular heart than from 'no
,crupulous aud deliberate taste OF an educated glass;
II Is indeed the prominent aud dstingulshinS pecu
arity OF this that his Ingenious nature anu MS
simpe dramatic method appeal involuntsrily ana al
recty to the spirit adeshp In other men, ana 70
the average public perception OF art Tnere Is no Dom"
nlex,ty in his mental constitution, and there 10 no
mystery his acting In this respect ne resemoes 'ho
late John MCCULLOUGH and without meaning 10 RESORT
to the oxpedent of comparison always feeble anu oD
lection able method OF critical study It may oo SAID thas
tho resemblance Is Instructive. Mr. Wilson Barrett was
recognized as genial, simple kindhearted, generous
man. and as forcble. sensible picturesque. anu tnor
ueh actor As such he will be greatly liked and adj
mired throughout this country. There was no uncer-
tainty about the impression he produced 1t was en-
tirely auspcious. Doubtless his impersonatons VIII
controversy but the actor himself secure OF
favor However much no may resemble Thorn In glowing
vitality and beauty he Is uot otherwise ike the Iowon
roses of hi, own native Yorkshire-tnat Will pioom
nowhere except In their own soil.
Mingled with this denomination Of good will toward
Mr. Wson Barrett there the desire to signify that
no prejudice mpedes qualities the hearness OF the
welcome American theatrical readers have long been
accustomed the names OF Henry irving ana Will
son Barrett written together but such readers arc not
devoid Of a discriminating knowledge that while the
former is tho leader Of the English tragic stage, the lat
ter possesses groat following In his native land aud Is
In respect mitator or an opponent OF his famous
compatrlot Thoughtful acceptance OF Henry irving
does stand In the way OF equally tnougnsu accep"
ancs OF Wilson Barrett This was certainly the feeling
of the pubc night and IL seems desirable tnat tn5
should be said with distinct emphasis now. No Two
actors could be essentially aud entirely uuke IN
ustitution and in general methods OF art ana
nothing co I'D be unjust, moro bgoted moro pa-
try than suppose that American FAVOR toward Henry
Irving-or toward any other actor-would oppose 'ne
progress OF Mr. Wilson Barrett The existence OF this
obstacle has been insinuaed; but after the feryent
whole hearted welcome that New-York gave to Mr. Wilt
son Barrett last may be dismissed as an utter
delusion by those persons who haotualy credit
the worst that can believed OF human meanness ana
malice
The play OF Caudan" Notwithstanding that earth
quake effects. both mimic and real are sufficiently fani-
lar in America fresh and new to this region. AMI It's
hero is striking character and one 10 which an actor
can create lively and diversified impression OF power,
grace and patho OF spiritual exaltatlon moral suom-
| ity and simple heroism. The work Is not meoirsma
neither but pure poetic tragedy aud, since there no
good reason why poetry should be restricted within the
ms OF deola nation and cooqny the fact that 1t Is
herein tributary to sensation docs not degrade tho
rank OF the piece lessen It's Value good story Is
all for being vol told. and poetic play IS al
delightful for being insplrteu WIN acton DuH
with incident, and picturesque Win scenic emoeiHsn
ment.
Tho action of &" Caudiau" begins at Byzantum in the
year Of grace 362 and continued aud concluded at
the city Of Charydos IN Bthyna, hundred years after
ward. In the year 362 Byzantium (Constantnople)
had but recently superseded Rome as the seat OF I'll
imperial government OF the Western Roman Empire,
| doubtless
In the world. Julian. called The Apostate.' who abb
iured Christianity aud reopened pagan temples, had
been but a year enthroned-long enough however, to
foster fresh persecution OF the Christians Tho tone or
the place and Of the time wAs carnsl cruel opuent,
luxurious, contious, barbarc In It's splendor yet not
uneayened by the regeneatng influence OF the Chris
tian faith and mistaken by the thrilling presage Of
predestined social convulson Precisely this back
ground Of diversified, gltering magncsnce and mpend.
Ing storm requisite for the superb scenic pictures
aud the vouptuous aud terrific deeds with which me
movement OF this tragedy is launched The solemn and
awful myth upon which "Caudan" has been founded
s the ancient story OF the Wandering Jew-Catapnu u.s.
Josephus Ahashuerus, or by whatever other name he
may have been cslled-which comes down TO modern
times from chronicle OF Roger OF Wendover IL Is
favorte theme with poets and romancers and In one
form or snother 1t has been freely used IL prompted
tho most startling and clog uent OF the hctons OF
Eugene Sue; IL swayed the last the Imagination of
Bulwer.Lytton; IL inspired the poet Croly. In his
great romance of "Saathie" when he drew that tire,
mrndous and appalling picture OF the snip OF FIRE,
with It's lonely occupant careering across the mid
night and bened Over tho doomed city OF Israel
the sublime and glorious vision OF the Temple OF
Jerusalem crumbling In tho heavens In this play IL
has been mao to assume the investure OF novelty by
sons and places, new motive, anu new catastrophe
and CONTAMINATION
Claudian Andates rich and profIgate young no.
BILE, having bought under frightfuly cruel circum-
stances q slave, who is the wife OF q poor sculptor
selzes his prey from beneath the protection OF holy
hermit and death the sanity and re yerend Old
man who would sheltered and preserved her help
| less Innocence With his dying breath the hermit
pronounces upon Cladan the awful doom OF everast'
ing mortal fc OF everlasting youth aud OF everlasting
inability to do good without causing evil THIS wretch
will henceforth walk the earthalone. He set apart
from other men. He have no friend. lie can know
no comfort. Death will him by. and eartn Will de-
ny him the refuge OF the There s QUO dark hint
given OF his possible salvation. time will come-and
In the oulmination OF this tragedy II does cone-wnen
his whole soul being enrapturei with the ecstacy OF
pure and perfect love- he expas his monsIrous sin
by The ana xion OF his soa and thus By delioer
ate CHI oice obtain tue release OF death The play de-
pots his crime the beginning Of his penance. and the
and Oft In the pro ogue the very genius OF hell
ism evi-strong glitterlng, baefu wicked In the play