New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-04
MR. BOOTH TooILL TO PLAY
LAWRENCE BARRETT, HIS COLLEAGUE
GREATLY ALARMED
THE PLAY OF "oTHELLo" STOPPED IN THE
FIRST ACT AT RocHEsTER-sYMPToMs
OF FPARALYsIs-THE PATIENT LATE
in THE NIGHT APPARENTLY
IBr rrLEaaArH 10 rHE rnIBBx1.I

ri
Rochester, N. Y, April s-Edwin Booth and
Lawrence Barrett with their company, appeared
at the Lyceum in this city this evening. Their
engagement wac for this performance only and the
theatre was full The box Office receipts we're the
largest Of the company's season. amounting to oFer
$1,000. The play was othello," Mr. Barrett ap-
pearing as the Moor and Mr.. Booth as Iago In the
opening scene Mr. Booths voice could scarcely be
heard and many persons from out Of town
ascrbed this TO defects in the acoustic properties Of
the theatre. Those familiar with the theatre and
with Mr.. Booths voice and manner on the stage
knew st once that the actor was ilL especially as
he was seen several times to raise his hand to his
head
The audience was kept in ignorance Of the facts
some time longer, however, as Mr. Booths pres
ence on the stage was not necessary in the second
or Senate Chamber scene II was learned after
ward however, that at the close Of the first scene
Mr.. Booth complained Of not feeling well, and
messenger was sent across the street TO the Office
Of DR.. O. R. Sumner The physician reached
the actors room Just as the curtain was rung up
for the second scene, and Mr. Barrett and the
other members OF the company were forced TO 90
upon the stage in ignorance Of wnat might be the
result Of tho doctors examination. They did
not betray the agitation which they must have
felt, but at the close of the scene Mr.. Barrett
fastened TO the dressfng-room Of Mr. Booth, where
he was informed By DR.. Sumner that the symptoms
were those Of paralysis. Mr.. Barrett was over
whemed b. the sad news, and 1t was with the
greatest difficulty that he could sufficiently CON-
mand himself TO acQuaint the audience with tho
facts He walked to the centre Of the stage in
front of the curtain where, in voice trembling
with emotion, he said:
most painful duty OF my life. Ny colleague haA shown
symptoms Of breaking down for three four days past
and his condition serious that II Is impossible for him
We bad hoped that he would rally this at
tack and that he would DO able play his part tonight
but Of your physcans Dr.. Sumner says that it would
be perlouS for him to attempt IT, Mr. Booth has
taned partial stroke Of paralysis and fear that this
Ia the beginning OF tho end cannot express you tho
deep with which make this sad announcement
Tho world has probably heard for the last time the greatest
actor who speaks the English language. We shall. Of
course. cancel all engagements and hope that shall
be able to remove Mr. Booth to hts home It pains
to speak these words sorry dIsappOlnt this great
audience, but the play cannot go 1t would be pre-
sumptuous TO undertake 10 all tho place Of this
great whom You have hero hear and It would
DO than useless attempt TO proceed further
you will be lndulgent aud that you win fully appre
eiate the ssd plight In which arc placed. The man
hgeDent VIII make such arrangements may best
for rsfunding your money
audience, and it was nearly an hour before the
people could be induced TO leave the theatre, SO
anxious were they for further news regarding
the sudden Illness Of the great actor. As soon
as possible, after tho announcement was made, 4
Mr.. Barrett and DIR. Summer accompanied Mr..
Booth in a cariage to the Powers Hotel. Mr..
Booth soon partially recovered from his attack
and was able 70 enter and slight from the car
rage with q little assistance. He went to his
room upon reaching the hotel attended by Mr..
Barrett and the physician, who remained with
him throughout the night. The only member
Of the company who consented to talk on the
incident was Business Manager BromeIly. BE
snid that Mr.. Booth had not been as well as
usual for eoveral days, and that even though
he should recover from this attack IL would prob
ably be necessary for him to take rest before
resuming work. Later in the evening Mr. Barrett
decided to start for New-York with Mr. Booth
at 80 a. m. tomorrow, in order that the latter
might consult his own physician.
Last night the company played julius Caesar"
at Emira Mr. Booth being cast for the part of Bru-
tus and Mr. Barrett for that OF Cassius. To-mor-
row night engagement for the remainder Of the !
week was TO begin at the Star Theatre,
Buffalo, with the Merchant of Venice"
All OF the engagements Of the
company Tor the next week were can |
celled by wire tonight, II Mr.. Booth is well |
enough the company viii go to Detroit the latter |
half Of next week Although Mr.. parretts |
apprehensions are of the gravest character, Mr.. |
Booths condition does not seem TO warrant the |
fear Of a fatal result of his illness Late tonight
Mr. Barrett requested that the following dis
patch be sent:
his the hotel Edwin Booth ossier and
the doctor gives every that week ten days
Of absolute win restore him 10 hs usual health
LAWRENCE BARRETT
The Lyceum Theare management loses $4,000,
which will have to be made good by the company. |