New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-05
uANSFIELD AS JEKfLL AND HYDE.
THE SCHEME OF HIS IMrTAToR FonED.
A SPLENDID PERFORMANCE BEFORE pHihL~
liant AND ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE
;sY CABLE TO TRIBUNE
copgriqni: 1855 BIZ ne Se'r- York Tribune


copvyiqhi: lsss BIZ ne ytr York Tribune.
Iopdon. Aug 4-Rchard Mansfield appeared
here tonight at the Lyccum Theatre as III
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde. A great audience attended
Many distinguished persons were present ooth
American and English, and the welcome accorued
% Mr. Mansfield was extremely cordial. Upon
h;s fist entrance as Jetyll" two distinct rounds
of applause welcomed him, and in the course of
N. night he was called back five times. Mr..
Mansfield had not intended to appear in London
rr,,I sep,erbcr a. but hearing that one of his i'm
,tators WIS making ready TO appear here on
August g. at the Opera Comique, in q version of
Jelyyll and Hyde substantially copy of his
own. he changed his plan, and by expeditions
movemcnts he has thwarted all attempts to fore
stell his piece With an old play priority of APP
vcarance would not have been important but with
this fresh subject it was essential
here IN his measures Of precaution
Mr. Mansfield was cnergetcally aided by
Henry Irving who has shown toward him the
vnrmest practical friendship. To insure that Mr..
Mansfield should not be forestalled. Mr. Irving
promptly announced him for August A, at the
lrccum, and at the same time hired the Comique
for the two weeks Immediately preceding August
G. contract was also made with the publishers
Of Mr. Stevensons story, who own all the rights
".
Mansfield in his dramatic use of it, and the imita-
,cs above mentioned had to sign in court an
agreement not TO use anything In Stevenson's
romance The conduct of this person in taking
Nh Marsneld's dramatic idea and endcavoring 10
trench upon his rights and mar his well-earned
success has been sgnally mean and his total
defeat and discontinue by Mr.. Mansfield is re-
earied here with liveliest satisfaction in every
reputable quarter. This imitator has been Pro-
claiming himself in America the original repre-
sentative of Jclyll and Hyde, but 1t is
Perfectly we'll known that Mr. Mansfield
had been acting the part for ten
months beforc it assumed by
sny other person whatever. 1t was Mr. Mans
feds plan TO weave a love story into the texture
of the original analysis Of mans complex moral
nature and it was he who led the way and showed
all ether actors how the theme could be made prac-
t.caliy dramatic.
M Mansfield has his reward, alike in great
porul';ity at homo and the brilliant and auspi-
ii MS success hc has gained here tonight. His
VIC, WAS somewhat hoa-se and he was a little
slow and Artificial in the second act, but he showed
it~cii spirit in pTesC nee of most critical audi
cnce and he acted with astonishing vigor The
PREDOMINANT beauty Of this artistic achievement
is its absolute and consistent preservation OF unity
The t--o sides OF one nature are vividly depicted,
but the fatal result is man, not two. The
pathoS exceeds the horror and what would other
wise be monstrous is redeemed by personal charm.
Mr. MansGeld's imtator is merely igDoble and COM
monpscc when he partially and VITA difficulty
CEASES to lie bestiaL but Mr.. Mansfield places
strenuous cmpha>i, Jekyll and portrays a
high aa1 fine ra:urc at war with itself and mis-
craby dcspoled by the evil which it vainly strug-
giles 30 extripate. lie is able to throw over
Jelxyl an essential poetic gamor, and the
effect Of the work is distinctly tragic
As the hideous Hyde however, he was lurid,
venomous and very awful Iha, erisly scene with
the faneied ghost Of his murdered victim was
acted with splendid abandonmcnt Of wicked ox-
ultation and il gave the audience thrill Of
horror The scene of the Transformation from
Hyde to Jekyn greatly excited the spec
tators, and here, at homo, Mr.. Manshelds
passionate outburst and impetuous action, the
volume of his ever-increasing vehemence and
power captured the house and set upon his effort
the seal Of uneqlvocal success AT this climax
the theatre rcsoundcd with plaudits most ener-
gctic1l and sincere. and the fortunate and brilliant
actor was thrice recalled The piece is effectively
mounted and Mr. Mansfield has the cooperation
Of players who have appeared with him in Amer
lea Miss Cameron, Miss Sheridan, Mr. Crompton,
Mr. IIarkins, Mr. Burrows and Mr.. Sullivan gave
efficient services.
Among the spectators was II. r. II. the Duke
Of Tec and the Princess Mary and suite. the Min
lister Of the United States, Miss Mary Anderson
and the Countess of Pembroke, Alma Tadema.
Clement Scott, Joseph Ilalton, Sir Morell Mac
kcnzie Lady Hardy. Mrs Louise Chandler Moul-
ton, T. =. OCOnnOr, Percy Fitzgerald, Joseph
Knight, Max O'Rell. G. w. Smalley. B. L. Farjeon
and wife, Oakley Hall, Beatty Kingston. Edward
Ledger and wife. C. ]. Parkinson. G. F. Rowe
Charles Dickens. Saville Clarke, Carl Rosa. Miss
Agnes Hewitt Miss Grace Hawthorne, Joseph Ar
thur. II. c. Jarrett and I. c. Burnand.
II Is not Mr. Mansfelds intention to make
long run for Tie piece the strain being hurtful to
lis voice and injurious to his health. Partisan
Romance will be presented later and production
Of his new play Of Nero is contemplated.
Mr. Henry Irving. who is in Switzerland tele-
graphcd congratulations. and Mr.. Mansfield re
ecivcd d host Of friends after the play was ended
W. W.