New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-19
RICHARD MANSFIELD.
REVIEW OF HIS RICHARD III.

A REVIEW OF HIS EltHARD III.
Richard Mansfield. who has been acting at Talmer's
Theatre since December as Richard the Third laid
aside that character last night and on Monday he
will present himself as DR.. Jclyl and Mr.. Hyde. The
impersOnatiOn Of Shakes carcS Goscr that j. given
Icy Mr.. Mansfield has caused much difference Of
critical opinion and accordingly has led to consider
able discussion. The performance has obvious defects
which it does not require much ingenuity IL dis
cover or much mental force to cxploIt-but it, fine
intellectual merits cannot nationally be disputed. I,
has nature. purpose, consistency and finish: 1t is
suGuscd with the glow of Imagination; and il is
diversified with ebutons If a startling passion.
Whether the public mind is benefited by
any performance of Richard the Third. how
ever fine, l., perhaps an open question. The play is
rot good history, and although it contains magni-
cent passages and superb single lines and phrases.
il Is not. upon the whole, the best order Of poetry.
II may be doubted whether anybody improved
by the contemplation of the hdeous parsonage whom
il deneates. II is. however. a great play. because
il gives great opportunities for acting Mr.. Mans
field has not cclipSed Edwin Booth in the part,
has he discrcditcd the Kean and Booth tradition with
reference to the enactment Of it. Nobody ever con
tended that lac had done this. But Mr.. Mansfield
has specifically done more than any previous repre-
sentative of the part did to make il moral and
pathetic force. To give il the attributes of humanity
and thus 10 invest il with an improving influence.
In other words, Mr.. Mans1clds portraurc OF Richard
has aimed emphatcally 10 teach the lesson that evil
in the human soul. however audacious IN spirit ana
however pui,>ant in expression, i pOwcrcsS 10 OPP
pose the eternal law Of good tho moral universe.
Mr.. Mansfield has also dressed and mounted Inc
tragedy with exceptional fidelity and ~pcndor. I'm all
respects his achievement il honorable 10 himself ana
crcdtable to the stage and IT is to be wished that
this Young actor may not become di>heartcncd in his
worthy ambition. through any heed of those shafts Of
dctraouon which invisibly a~>al every man who
tries 10 lift himself above the duh level of medocny
by doing ANYTHING that is worth the doing The
audience last night was numerous and enthusiastic
and Mr.. Mansfield recalled and loudly clccrcd
alter the last curtain fell. To calls for speech MI
Mansfield replied Iu substance follows
Ladies and gentlemen. when & man hd> played
Ei,lEud twice iu q day he ha, not much breath left
make speeches. though should like to make one 4
! could. ] have ~ thank You for Your presence tins
evening. and for The way Won have received the play,
and ] can only LAY that ii We could have h1d a. inc
audience every night have tonight. TINS would
hc the last night Of Richard III. hope that Nuu
viii all come IT, in the future lu the same
numbers. and promise that what take from the
public with one hand Will give with the other.
Cheers
The collection Of short bright crisp advertisements
ftn and min ~ faN'