New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-12
THE DRAMA.
IRVINC - IOIIS II.

1t was said by veteran playgoer VINO hau sec"
Edmund Kean in all his important emDouiihe"'a
mat the only character he actually lmi'e' '"a
was Sir Edward Mortimer Nhen pIaS ms ~
parts he som etimes in the character anu S'''
times out of it, hut when he played Mor'''"e' ,
assumed definite identity, and ne cohsS''",''
sustained ii. That may. or may not. DE an ".S
quatc summary OF Kean's acting; II certai"'S -"
dicates an important principle in dramatic ART
An effect may be produced BY personal uiSp'a'
or it may be produced by representation ~ a.
can help showing himself Tie soul shines thio"ei'
the body; and. indeed. individuality Is he0esS"y
and desirable part Of artistic fabric bu, tie " .
of acting is impersoHaton. and that IS 'he pm
upon which. in all his performances. MI HVihs
has placed the chief emphasis He Is happHy MN
self in all that he does; but each one Oh '''
embodiments is distinct person. ana Is ~
manifested and maintained. His great perio''"
ance OF Louis XI.-gven last night before Il "u-
merous and delighted audience. at Abbey lhea',''
which was crowded in every part,-migh' wen Nv
cited as a supreme example of his wonderful! SKILL
and therefore of his exceptional eminence, az an
impersonator OF character.
The portrayal Of King Louis by Henry Irving mas
been fully described in this place and particular
specification OF its attributes might be deeHeu SUI
perhuous. Its afiiuent and overwhelming power
q an embodiment of human nature. and its signii-
canoe as an exposition OF the philosophy OF dramatic
art may. however. very suitably be urged upo"
public attention. Mr.. Irving once agan-oy resai
potency of the intellect and by a subtle spell Oh
isolated. sad forlorn humanty-made a SrisV anu
baeful personality picturesque to the Imagination
and almost sympathetic to the heart II Is an
astonishing achievement and one to whcA the
stage has scarce ever shown parallel LOUIS NJ
was an imperial criminal. but h. suffered remorse'
and by depicting the monarch's awful misery along
with his hiGeous guilt. and By doing that with ''-
beautiful facility Of perfect art. the ACTOR a"dN'
pity for his prototype equally with admiration TOT
himself. The death scene was appalling IN us mag
NATIVE horror. without being for one instant de-
formed with the commonness Of realisn
The potent charm Of this play Is romantic atinoS-
phere O,nens of evil seem To hang about H. n
vague sense OF namcless danger pervaoeS ana en-
shrouds H. All its environment Is infected with
the haunting gloom and the grim menace OF SIN
lister personality. hidden at its centre Mr. lrVinS
treatment OF it, scenical less than histrionc Is
such as elicts all It's weird meaning and rivets the
romantic spell OF its brooding horror.
The cast below given. Will show the names OF
Mr. IryInr's professional assc ciates OF the Lyceum
COMPANY Mr.. Terriss-who gives a bold pictur-
esgue and convincing performance or Nennours-
so much pleased his audience by his sonorous. pas
sonate traglcal outburst. at the elimination OF ue
night scene in the royal coster. that he was pres
emily two or three times recalled. b. earnest
plaudits OF admiration Mr.. Cooper replaces me
iamented NJ. Wenman. as Golfer; ana ms lln-
nersonaton obtained hearty f-mpttny' M, low
slv invested Commincs with dignity ana nlscrc-
tion Mr. Tyars made the blunt cruelty ni iTla-
Ian sharply effective. the Dauphin ana MARI
were very neatly played 10y Mr. Harvey ana MisH
s,oieridee and Miss Kate Phillips deducei much
snrehi1V humor from the slender character OF the
peasant Martha