New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-08
THE DRAMA.
MISS WAINWRIGHT IN AMY RoBsARr.,

MISS WAINWRIGHT IN AMY ROBsART..
An impression produced by the performance o. xIs
Marie Wainwright ana her company in "Amy RobsarLs
which they presented for the first time at Palners
Theatre hst night, Is that fneness and deieacy o.
finish have been have been secured at the expense a.
yicor and force OF action. The enduring fabric n
story that Scott wove from the sIenderest Of historical
threads bears In the ccarcst and deepest ooors TIE
figures OF two women. sharply contrasted IN their
natures and brought into conspicuous comparison
nv their striving for the object. the IN.
disputed love OF one man. The one Is tho
simple Devonshre girl, with heart warmly and
sincerely aGectionate, but trained b be ohldlshy
petulant and cxactlng by the misdrected oncncs ot
her father When troubles and perplexities surround
her she is Incapable OF guiding her own actions and
can only cling 10 those whom she believes that she
can trust or shrinks. half trembling and half defiant
from those who do not seem h her to deserve cons
dence In her sorrows she Is a woman In the QDah.
ties OF her mind she is little more than child. Tho
other figure IS that OF Of the most interesting
characters In English history or hcton-a woman
strong proud imperious, seIfwied. jealous Of her
authority and her WISH yet capncious end validating;
filled too no doubt with tenderer and more w0msbly
qualities, that wanted only opportunity for exprs
sion: a woman who might find II in her nature to
entreat did she not feel 1t due 10 her dignity % CON-
mand; in short, all that might be expected Of the
daughter Of Henry WIN and Anne Boleyn- Elizabeth
truly understood The other characters Of the story,
who surround these central figures nearly all men Of
spirit and frmness Of mind and rugged energy Of
action.
Such personalities are not easy for the actors 70
grasp, and the portrayal Of them taxes their oest
resources. The gentle sweetness and graoefu charm
Of the youthful and innocent Amy Robsart are Lest
within the reach Of Miss Wainwrights artistic powers
There is color enough in the scenes OF doubt and
emotion hold sympathy Of the spectator as tho
author Of Kenilworth" never fails TO hold that Of his
reader. With the aid OF all the resources OF theS1cl
art the present Amy Robsart Of the stage Is not 20
real parsonage as the Amy Of the book. But mo
actress gives 10 the part earnestness OF enor and
an ease in the technical execution, combined via
physical charms, that make the mpersonauon CRAFTY
ing even while 1t cannot be wholly satisfactory 70
those who have long formed ideas Of this unhappy SL
Miss Blanche Walsh 1t is unpleasant u say, iah
much further short OF q realization Of Elizabeth.
Her presence is pleasant, but she does not cannot
show why the mobiles Of her court bow passvey 70
her WILL why they fear her dspleasure or desire her
smiles. An actress whose powers and trained energies
enabled her 10 grasp its possibilities might easily mas
this part the most conspicuous in the piece. But
wants strength and versatility, nervous vgor ana
reserve force that few actresses have at their CON-
mand. Decidedly the most picturesque and convincing
figure IN last nights production was that OF klchAd
yarney Us played by Barton Hill. lie gave truth ana
harmony TO the picture whenever no Oaho "P'N -S
stage The TressilIan Of William Ingersol was also
a worthy effort, and sydney Booth and Nike LAM
bourne had a good deal Of me genuine s~nggen
Edward Elsner seemed anything but the ad-
venturous blacksmith that wayland Smith shonld
he and one would much sooner oehess
that his schooling had been as a ladys page
The mounting of the play was elaborate in me et-
IRENE A view OF Wentworth Castle was one or tne
hnndsOmest sets that have been placed on the Local
stage in many day. The Black Bear Inn, the apart
n ,Hts az Gunner Place and the audience nail N
G enwich Palace were also deserving OF hgh praise
TIE oca touches were effective and the bear and ragged
stan and the Droit ct LOyaI' were every where inc
oostumlng also rich and appropriate and the stage
pictures striking and pleasing.