New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-03
THE DRAMA.
LAWRENCE BARRETT AS RICHELlEU.

LAWRENCE BARRETT AS R1CHELlEU.
Last night at the Star Theatre, Bulwers drama OF
Richelieu took the place of" Yorick's Love-" ana
Lawrence Barrett appeared in the austere picturesque
and somewhat sadly romantic character oil the Gar
dinan This play only to be thoroughly enjoyed ny
such spectators willing to yield their ieeinsS
somewhat to the control Of fancy to accept improoa
bilities without serious question, and 10 accept
peculiar kind of blank verso which often Is more the
language of rhetoric than Of nature. The power ana
beauty of Richelieu's' cbaracter-as Bulwer mas
drawn it-and the charm of the pleasing story of love
and politics In which the great Cardinal is made so
skfuy to perform the function of controlling des-
tiny never fail to delight spectators thus qualified to
appreciate them. Richeeu is the dazzling emblem
of righteous power protecting innocent weakness and
ovelness and this is an ideal that must always win
the sympathy of good-hearted men and women. The
play Is doubtless, full of theatrical arthce and por
tons of it are expressed with inflated verbosty; but
certainly 1t touches the heart and il casts glamoor OF
romance over the imagination. To enjoy perform
anee of Richelieu " is to be benihted as well as
pleased The auditor rejoces in the conquest OF good
the right and gentle propenstes of his mind strength
ened and refreshed nm ,
Lawrence Barrett's embodiment Of "Cardlnal
RIcheieu.D while not a new work. is one
upon which he has expended incessant thought
and study and into which he pours great wealth OF
passionate feeling The part presents frequent oPpor
pecialy by his restorations in the third and fourth
acts Mr. Barrett has improved these to the fullest
extent II is well that actors should sometimes Illus
rate the beauties OF the English language and the art
of speech as considered for its own sake. The pr-
mary function Of acting, indeed, Is to act but the
dramatic artist may also give pleasure oy mis- trained
employment of dction; and Lawrence Barrett more
perhaps than any other actor now prominent on the
stagp makes good and effective OF this expedlent
Much more of the original text of Ricbeleu is heard
when he presents the piece than is ever spoken when
II il presented by Booth Irving. The fine soloquy
with which the old staesm opens the night in
the castle-sitting there alone, shaken py
tremors haunted by spectral doubts and grim forebod
inps while the moonlight, streaming in at the tall
Gothic easement, falls his thin figure, pale counte-
nance and silver hair-afOrds to this actor a rare
occasion for noble vocal and pictorial effect This fine
moment in the drama, treated by Lawrence Barrett
tas never failed to carry with 1t tone OF thr1lng
suspense and impressive submity. 1t mad this ehect
last nsht and In this performance Mr. Barrett again
suused the great dramatic situation whch closes he
fourth act with that ecclesiastical pomp and spendor
and that copous and vehement human passion Tor
which his embodiment of " Rchelieu has long been
remarkable The modification which MIR. Barrett IS
steadily making IN his elecutOnary style-a certain
colloquia and grace naturally consequent on
his frequent and wise of comedy characters-was
uerceutfDle In his performance last night, and 10
ALWAYS pleasure to his admirers 1t Is hard matter
TO speak blank verse 80 as to make IL seem tne
language of nature and perhaps no actor Will ever
entirely accomplish this difficult object. Mr.. Barrett
was several times called before the curtain, 6y the
nlaudits of numerous audience honestly pleased
Tonight he will impersonate Hamlet y; tomorrow
NIGHT Cassius." Yorick's Love is announced for
Saturday afternoon. In the course of his present
engagement extending 10 September 20, MT. barrett
instead of a production of "Rienz" as at first prom
sed will effect revival Of The Man o. Airlie" This
il a promise of rare enjoyment, OF high and noble