Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-03
BOOTH AT HIS BEST.
He Scores Triumph in Richeliea With
Madam Modieska as an Ally.

he scores q Triumph IN hicneneu VIII
Madam Modjeska as an Ally.
"Richelieu," Of small historical value, Is q
play of no little strength. II Bulwer-Lytton
had built It all as he has some parts it would
live forever. It will live long while, and in a
glory not its own while Edwin Booth assumes
the grand role Of the Cardinal Mr.. Booth
made nonew triumph in .Rlchelieu" last night;
he repeated his superb embodiment Of the
great statesman, and as we think achieved q
larger grandeur than ever There had been
reason, so it seemed, to read in Mr. Booths
earlier work this week some slight abatement OF
his physical strength. The gossip Of the foyer
was that the actor had not his old-time powers
in the full. After last nights triumph-there
is no other word that will apply-this talk
should cease Never has Mr.. Booth showed
more eminently his talents, never displayed the
marvellous force of his personality. Recollec-
tions of two former performances OF "Riche-
lieu" by Mr.. Booth warrant our saying that he
was at his very best last night. The presence of
Madam Modjeska made the play infinitely su-
perior of course to prior representations.
1t is not easy to say wherein Mr.. Booth
showed his art most The picture Of the crafty
statesman, confident in his power to thwart his
feeling was perfect. The passage from the
statesman to the prelate enraged and at bay,
from the minister's cabinet to presence OF the
puppetmonarch, as 1t must ever do, COM
PEELED asronishment and admiration. So
astounding is the transformation, and so
natural withal, that sense OF terror
was hard at hand upon more normal feelings
in the beholder. Mr.. Booth was Cardinal
Richelieu when he drew within the shelter OF
the church Julie de Mortimer and hurled at
her pursuers his defiance. No wonder the
crowded theater burst into one wild, long roar
OF applause. The outstretched hand OF the
actor, his passion-drawn features and flashing
eyes. and his figure towering Tar above its
natural height, made picture that can never
be banished from the memory. 1t was an un-
speakably impressive climax
1t was impossible even for Madam Modjeska
to bring the character Of Julie de Mortimer
into more than secondary importance beside
the Cardinal. But Madam Modjeska made
every use Of her opportunities possible: The
gentle womanliness and brave heart OF Julie
were admirably exhibited. Particularly in the
tragic scene in the third act was Madam
Modjeska intensely powerful She blended
the purity and weakness of the maiden most
woman insulted. It Is a minor matter. but the
exquisite taste displayed by Madam Modjeska
in her dresses calls for remark. They
were beautiful in their unusual simplicity
Justice can hardly be done to Mr.. Otis Skin
ner's rendering of Adrian De Aouprdt in the
few lines remainingto u.s. The gallant air he
wears SO well became him famously last night
steel constantly in his rapid speech and free
stride. Mr.. Charles Hanford was very kindly
cast as Count De BdrQdds, aid Mr.. Rogers and
Mr.. Duval are also worthy of praise. The
weak monarch, Louis XIII, was sufficiently
weak and colorless in the hands Of Mr.. Vroom.
The scenery was adequate and the costumes
not lacking in beauty and richness. without
forgetting correctness of cut. The audience
filed the whole house and was not chary OF its
applause.