Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-30


Mr.. Lawrence Barrett and his excel
lent Company last night at the Crane
Opera House gave for the first time il
Los Angeles Victor Hugo's grand, ro
mantic and thrilling tragedy of Her
mani. 1t is needless to give synopsis
Of the play to intelligent readers. 1t i.
read in story, sung in song and "enacted
DER" until it 10 familiar as household
words. 1t was this soul stirring drama
which cost the great poet. philosopher
and patriot his country. The second
empire could not endure such trenchani
and fiery arraignment OF Kings-hence
Hugo went into exile.
The audience which filled the Opera
House last night in all its quarters and
into its utmost corners was one of the
most intelligent aud elegant that ever
graced its seats. As they have on all
other evenings Of this season, this crit
ical gathering enjoyed to the full the
cup of pleasure in this great intellectual
treat furnished by this visit of this in
comparable actor.
Mr.. Barrett's Hermann, like each and
every other role he appears in, is an ex-
haustively oarful study, dressed, acted
aud read with classical accuracy in all
its details. As whole the rendition
oil the role of the bandit chief, the out
law noble, the soul of scrupulous honor,
and the ardent, devoted lover, was
work Of art any man may well feel
roud of, In Hermann the great actor
has added a new chaplet Of immortal
freshness to his many crowns.
The second place of honor, and most
exigent role in the play, is that of Don
Leo Gomez, Duke of sylvia, the proud.
Spanish grandee Of long and honored
race Of noble men, whose memory was
crowned with countless deeds of valor,
and with a record OF stainless honor.
Mr.. j. Newton Gotthold looked and
acted the character to the life. This
distinguished gentleman Of the art his
trionic during this his first brief visit to
city where his fame had preceded him,
fully justifies the international reputa-
tion he enjoys on both sides of the At
lantic among play-goers and the best
dramatic critics of the day. The dignity,
grace and pride of old Spain in the days
of her great men, great deeds. and cul-
tured mobiles, sat upon the shoulders OF
Mr.. Gotthold with an air as natural as
ii he was the effigy of one of these great
men OF q great race risen from the
tombs of one of her grand Cathedrals,
instinct with all the fire, the honor and
the pride of the days OF Don Alva and
Phillip. His portrayal of the deep feel
ings of love, jealousy and vengeance,
places him in the list of the really fine
actors Of the day. As the Jester in
Francesca, as the noblest Roman OF them
all, in Cesar, and now as the stately
Spanish Grandee, proud, pdnctilious and
implacable, in all the exigencies of these
various roles he has risen fully equal to
the occasion and approved himself one
of the best ''all round" actors in the
country.
As Donna Zanthe. Miss Nina K
Gale again acquitted herself with great
grace and accuracy. With fine stage
presence, unusually good voice, this
young lady has only to be faithful to
herself to rise to the very top of her
profession with time and hard study.
All the others in the company performed
their parts we'll, and Hermann altogether
remains decidedly red-letter day
among the critical play.goers Of Los
Angeles. For tonight the melancholy
Dane" is underlined. Hamlet is con-
sidered Mr. Barrett's masterpiece. 1t is
after all perhaps par excellence The IA
vorite with the most intelligent play.
goers the world over. The house will
be another ovation to Mr.. Barrett and
his excellent support.