New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-27
YACHTS IN THE RIVIERA.
THE ANA.
HENRY IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY
BECKETT AND ROSAMUND

In Abbey's Theatre last night, Mr.. Irving and
Miss Terry made their re-entrance. presenting
Beckett and Rosamund. in Tennyson's historical
play upon the life and death Of the great Arch
bishop of Canterbury. and they were welcomed by
an eager multitude.-for. Notwithstanding the worst
storm OF the season the house was fun. Descrip-
ton Of Tcnnyson's play and particular analysis Of
the embodiment of Beckett and Rosamund by Mr.
Irving and Miss Terry have recently been given
in this journal and they will scarcely be expected
now. The word for the hour is a word of ccngrau-
lation 10 the public upon the reappearance of two
of the best actors in the world. There was but
one shadow upon the night. and that was the
shadow of the parting which is AT hand. The brief
engagement now begun will close Mr.. Irvlngs sea
son in New-York and will end with his farewell
to this community Only until the end OF next
week Will the opportunity remain for enjoyment
Of the most superb dramatic productions OF our
time
The acting Of Mr. Irving and Miss Terry evlnccd
the same intellectual authority. the same spiritual
beauty and the same refinement and buoyant vigor
for which 1t has always been admirable ana dis
,ingushed There IS comparatively speaking. but
little action In Tennyson's play Of "Becket. and
therefore It's movement and interest are largely
dependent upon the personality OF It's principal
representatives,. Miss Terry as Rosamund. giving
a body to the poetic soul, has invested an ethere al
womanhood. Mr. Irving. as }ecket. moving through
a series Of thinly connected pictures mas fiNlrl
an image of austere intellect and turned IL INTO
n living man No higher type than Beckci mas ever
been presented in history. of sei-sacritce Tor me
sake Of spiritual conquest and purcr ana noh'r
type of sclf-sacrce than IS presented by ar irving
has ever been shown upon our stage. Modern chdlh-
that the triumph Of the monarch over tae pilini,e'
in the strife between Henry and Beckett. was VIC
tory for the people That is an error No qies-
ton of popular rights was at any time involved IN
s sn1i Macy Of over YORK ana then
an5%Ty a iST OPPOSED to that Of the King ou
deeper significance was spiritual Bcck"t
had starved and laceraied ms bo Wy, . uI
ment He knew that he must die for his cause. ana
he was willing t. die for IT. Tennyson mas "Pe
il; and II IS that perception Of 1t which Mr. Irving
has enforced. with all the power OF his acute IN
tolect and massive will There could not De NOR
convincing evidence OF his power than Is an )fl'l
by his great success in the character Of Heckci.-
n part with which he has enthrallel the imagination
OF thousands 10 whom Beckett before was nothing
not piece OF that orotunl and sonorons drc.ainh-
ton which has sometimes been mistaken for acting
neither IL II effort 10 contrast monoiony
with climax. II is an 'mbodl'iirnt "i an i''nI'~'-'
character created and expressed by natural means
In the passage just prior To the assassinAupn.-t
passag. in which the Archbishop, conscious - I'M
minent death. begins 70 speak, with a klnI or
sweet alteration Of dreamlikc remnisccnce Of his
early days and Of the girl whom he loved IN Ms
boyhood-the portrayal reaches lnHeen 20 a hc'.h,
of beauty and pathos quite unmatched upon me
contemDorarv stage. 80 actor now living cDud
approach Mr. Irving in the spirituality majesty. and
subtle fascination with when he mas lhNestel
Miss Terry as Rosamund allures by the simple
sweetness and gliilelcss grace OF womanhoO1 and
Of her conduct OF the character. through love
scenes more pictorial than dramatic. that might
Miss Millward repeated her strong impersonaton
of Queen Eleanor. IN which there is the true note
Of tragic passion. and MI Ierriss again gave I'm, an
excellent performance Of the pcfcmp'ory IInl-
King.