New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-13

ALEXANDER sALvINI AS DON CAESAR

Alexander salvin is actor Of unequivocal talent
and Of auspcious performance and the announce
mcnt that he would appear Don Caesar de Bazan
drew together an uncommonly large audience last
night in the Broadway Theatre. The house was two
thirds full ard by this numerous. eager and kindly
assemblasc, Mr. salvini cordially welcomed and
frequently appaudcd. 1t would be pleasant TO add that
be gave performance worthy " serious considera-
ton: but that is not the truth. Tie impersonation
was experimental and it wcarsome.
The character Of Don Caesar, As it is understood
upon the English Speaking stage. is romantic char
actcr The cavalier may be broken down, but he Is
still fine in spirit blthe in feeling elegant in manner,
clvalrous and even heroic. Mr.. savini, pursuing
what. for want Of A better phrase may be termed
The Continental ldeal-the ideal that was 50 painfully
cNemplifed here by the eminent Mr. Coquehn-makes
him prosaic and even common The method In which
Don Caesar should be acted. to satisfy the standard
Of the English speaking stage. IS that Of galliard srace
and airy elecance-touc and then with pass
Ing shadow Of sentiment. and dndling now and then
into noble passion. Mr.. salvinis method Is slow ard
cumbersome. The nmble turns Of expression sro
made to halt till he make sure OF them and force
them home Tie crisp phrases q ranery fall heavily
from his lips. He has no comedy. lie is serious
actor and his vein seems that Of sombre and subtle
character. In Don Caesar he is fettered. OF course
there are good points. This part IS one that GOES
much FOR itself because 1t abounds with brlnsnt ots
II repartee and OF equy0ke But II IS tho actor ana
al he
and Whatever was done for Don Caesar in this caset
was certainly done by hmsef-and it was done ~
spite Of Mr. salvnis literal and prosaic ideal an4
essentially commonplace method, and not because
Of them
There is intention to undeTate
the powers Of this actor. 1t Is only sag
that they are misappllcd. Mr. savini is obviously
ambitious TO rise in the school Of which Charles
rcchtcr was the chief representative. lie may one
cay accomplish his aim-but he Will never do so untlA
he can cast aside the theory Of being natural Not
long since, having 70 present Neapolan vasrah' OK
some kind, Mr.. savini came on With bare caves ana
bare feet This was no doubt truthful; but this sort
Of truth will not produce the effect of truth in dramatic
art Last night in presenting the upsy phase OK
Don Caesar Mr. Salvni copied the actual article ana
gave the impression Of sot who IS unclean' III rear
life no doubt "A sot would be ynciean. but when You
show sot upon the stage you must snow ' nsn 0S
II is not the upsness Of Don taT91r LEY W v'oSvs
the effect. it IS The drifting y Psyl,e. deyll may ."l,
poetic wildness that makes him yaSfant wltnout
unma,ing him 40 a gentleman. All the Indications
that j.. The rever.. of poetcal He u one OF those
actors and they are very numerous IN I'M, aesenerss
Pe PER- T" T., al Srone II IS not the prosaic fact
II i the spirit Of the fact-that Is finally victorious
" N S'' ssiya had the auxiliary aid Of Miss Anna
ONciu Mariana. rms actre,,, denoted s'rons
pose and the control Of well considered means for Us
accomplishment Women a. rule are naturally ntrnasSInis
Sy Mis- 0'Ncill however. j. hard and cold ana her
rsci nd is distinctly and nhexiby mechanical and
artificial There may be latent In this combination
rare the public but they were not obvious
on this occasion. The drama OF Don caesar was
,roduccd with the suhiolncd cast;
paa Caesar de- lialfn. Alexander saNlnl
,nrr... III king of ~ral. LuciuS Henderson
ma, r,.e De St1t,~.n. Goo Fawcett
,,,rcri. ID. r,tlul, ............. Carl Ahrendt
$3.50. la .... Idv ard >nad
r@r,'n, levin ID amatef
III. ......... George {. Robinson
uli.sCof
81, Ben Johnson
pSrst ........... Edward St1nc,ifs