Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-28
THEATRICAL.
A Grand Reception to Booth and
barrett.

Sufrett.
The Opera House Yves never graced will
q more densely filled or brilliant dress circl,
and parquet than last night. The gallery
too, was largely attended, and the reception
altogether was one that must have greatl,
gratified the renowned actors who played
the leading roles.
1t is not often the good fortune of any
city to witness, cast in the same piece, two
tragedians of the distinction of Edwin
Booth and Lawrence Barrett; and it would
be reflection upon the good taste and intel
ngence of any community il such an event
did not call out the best representatives o1
its culture, wealth and fashion. And wher
we add to the attraction Of the great
most deeply subtle and intensely dra.
matte of all of Shakespeare's tragedies
was.the play produced, it goes without
saying that so appreciative people as ours
would be sure TO fill the theatre.
Whilst there is no rivalry between the
actors, for they are each peculiar and unap-
proachable In their powers, yet it is difficult
to abstain from drawing comparisons be-
tween them when they appear upon the
same stage. Otkello offered the opportunity
probation in characters in which they have
stood the test of the most rigid criticism
Booths "Iago" is hereditary in its merit. II
was the favorite role of his father, and in
the son its best points are marked by fam.
lily resemblance, SO to speak To say that II
repulsive. but at the same time. diaboli
cally intellectual creation of the great
bard's genius, is the highest praise. The
difficulty encountered in this role
is one not easily overcome. 1t is
dupe, whom he is leading on to his destruc.
ton, perfectly frank and honest demeanol
Of face and tone; whilst to the audience he
must present himself in the double light o1
a disinterested and loyal friend to
shs ssnns s00T inavs snd who cunnins IS workins Ss
upon his masters confiding nature by the
most revolving and wicked subteltiss, Mr.
Booth sustains the dual char acter through
out with a mobility oflexpression and versa
tility of genius that reflect the idea ot
Mr.. Barrett's "Othello" Is q noble inter
probation OF the deeply wrought and foully
abused Moor. One wishes that in stature
the actor came up to the physical develop
But even with Mr.. Barrett's slim figure, he
invests the. character with an ex
altation which gives it a breadth and
height that does away with the objection. We
cannot, however, say that in all respects he
meets our conception of this most interest
cal warmth in his exhibited love for "Des
demOna" W hich he naturally 1ool
for. Salvini had the art to brinf
this effect out with great strength
and yet without detracting one lot from the
calm and poised dignity OF the ideal Moor
His tenderness was shown in the expires
sion of the eye, the soft radiance of the
face, the pathetic play of the lips
and in the love-warmth which lit ur
his whole frame when "Desdemona" wai
The theme, or her presence the incentive
Mr.. Barrett in these passages does not seem
to emerge out of the atmosphere of dignity
which is cold ana studied. But Wher
he he I has been wrought upon BY
his Jealousy is flowing like to the Pontit
turne ed to wrath. In the fourth act. both in
his interview with "Isgo'' and in that very
affecting scene, where he discloses the
cause of his change of conduct toward 'Des
demona," Mr.. Barrett appeared at his best
The support, with some exceptions, was
acceptable. Miss Gales "Dcsdemonaj wa.
a gentle and touching rendition of a char
acter which always carries with it the
sympathies of an audier ce; ant
Mrs. Kellogg as Emilia" was clever
and at times spirited. Mr.. Z. J. Buckley,
Cassie" was marred in its most interest
ing stage by over acting and by carelessnes!
of reading, and "Roderig0'' was simperinf
and callow enough in the hands OF Weston
to suit the chai acter.
We have only to speak of the costuming
This. was much better attended to thar
usual, and the characters were addressed
with careful regard to their rank, and to thu
epoch. Miss Gale dressed "Desdemona'
This evening Hamlet will be produced
with fha fOl1oUiUu ooof.