The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-03-21

Lawrence Barrett was born in Patterson,
N. j.. April 4, 1888, Of Irish parents. His
earliest connection with the stage was in
the capacity of call-boy in Pittsburg
theatre. He started at the bottom, and,
like others who achieved eminence in his
profession, his ascent was all the more
emphatic and complete for having been
in speaking part on the stage was in De-
troit in 1855, as Murad in .'The French
Spy" After years experience in play
ing minor parts he spent short season In
Pittsburg. He then acted in St. Louis,
Chicago, and elsewhere until December,
1856, when he was engaged at the
Chambers Street Theatre, New York,
Clifford in "fhe Hunchback." He was
engaged by William Il. Burton, the IA
nous comedian and manager, early in
1857, and acted under his management for
nearly two years, supporting Charlotte
| Cushman and Edwin Booth and other
prominent actors. In 1858 he was engaged
| Tor leading parts at the Boston Museum
and later at the Howard Athenmum of
that city, where he played with Miss
Cnshman, Barry Sullivan, the English
| actor, and Il. l.. Davenport. On the out
break of the civil war, in 1861, Mr. Barrett
accepted q captaincy in the Twenty
| eighth Massachusetts, Infantry and served
| with distinction. Afterward he acted at
| Philadelphia, at Washington, and then at
| the Winter Garden in New York, where
| he was engaged by Mr.. Booth to play
| 0thello to his Iago. The elder
Wallack considered his impersona-
| ton of this character the most
| striking he had seen in twenty years. Mr..
Barrett then became associated in the
management Of the Varieties Theatre, New
| Orleans, playing leading parts, end for the
| first time acting rs Richelieu, Hamlet and
| Shylock. About this time he met Edwin
| Forrest, and was led to make a careful
| study of the history and literature of the
stage, a circumstance which afterward was
ofgreat value to him. In 1864 he purchased
"Rosedale" from Lester WaIlack, and after
| acting the leading character in it at New
Orleans made his first tour as q star actor.
/ In 1867 he played with great success at Ma
| CURES Opera House, in San Francisco,
where he remained as manager of the Cali
fornia Theatreuntil 1870, when heappeared
again in New York. Late inlS10 he played
with Mr.. Booth, in opposite characters, at
Booths Theatre. In 1871 ~ he managed
the New Varieties Theatre at New Or
leans, and in December, 1872, lie played
Cassins to Booths Brutus in New York.
During 1894 he made successful tours
through the United States, visiting the
leading cities. The season of 1875 began
with a magnificent revival of Julius
Caesar" at Booths Theatre, New York
where lie again appeared as Cassius, and
later as King Lear. He took the part Of
Daniel Druce and was the first actor tc
appear in Mr.. Gilbert's play of that namt
in the United States. Later he produced
"Yorick's Love- at the Park Theatre
New York. One of his successes was il
Boxers Francesca da Remini," which ht
brought out in 1882, at the Chestnut
Street Theatre, Philadelphia. He acted
the hunchback, Lanceotto, with great in
telligence and rare power, In the autumn
of 1888 this play ran for nine weeks a
the Star Theatre, New York, where it wa.
presented OH very complete scale ant
attracted much enthusiasm. In 1867
1881, 1883 and 1884 Mr.. Barrett visitet
England, and during his last visit ap
peared in many of his prominent role
which were received favorably. Thre,
seasons ago he formed copartnerhsiI
with Edwin Booth, aud the tragediani
appeared together throughout the country
Mr.. Barrett and Mr.. Booth had agreed
to play separately next season. Mr.. Bar
rett to be Mr.. Booths manager. Mr.
Barrett had daughter married to
brother of Mary Anderson, the actress.
Mr.. Barrett recently produced play b,
Oscar Wilde, entitled Guido Ferranti.
Mr.. Barrett gave it another name.
AT the time of his death, Mr.. Barrett
was playing an engagement conjointl
with Mr.. Booth at the Broadway Theatre
| New York.