New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
THE, nRAMA-MUSIC
.,.xrv IRyING'S NEW CHARACTER

rrxcy IRVINGS NEW CHARACTER.
. ,,cht. in London cn the occasion Of II
"a. NJ Iryins presented the dramatic sketch
e., story Of Waterloo and impersona ted
reant Brewster. lie had not previously played
So, IN London and his presentment of it must
% awakened eager interest. "a Story of Water
pa. n &c Dr. Conan Doyles sketch called "a Strag-
W of 10" slightly altered. that instead OF
"a narrative ii is made to take the shape OF
p, ,,c drama Mr.. Irving added Sergeant
r~anster 10 mis- ropertory last September acting
:. ,or he first time a, Bristol where he began. on
s.n,erber l., the provincial tour which has just
a.. II closed at Manchester on December 10. The
ossnt writer saw the performance in Edinburgh
- October y. ana found II TO be most
aocisiye exhibition of dramatic power. The piece is
sr, and the representation is brief but the effect
e extraordinary
Mr. Irving presents an old soldier in his last
,,,rs--1isplaying a simple character and pctur-
~scne personality. through the medium Of most
,,be;c physical condition. Sergeant Brewster has
ZEN oil tina, a soldier should be.-simple, brave,
Cor cheerful expeditions, dutifui, dauHtless, and
'.,. AMI he has been a very strong man, and has
~, his courage and his prowess in moments OF
lady peril. lie is now nearly ninety years old.
l ne is broken both in mind and body. That
1oosl,lon OF senility Mr.. Irving assumes. The
s,-e is a:tcnuated. the face Cadaverous, the hair
80, The voice broken. the limbs feeble, yet the
mil in reaction from strong excitement. he slid
sr,v sinks ard expires. Under circumstances that
80 comparatively barren.for the piece Is simply =
,c,ure without action, ana without inc.dent-tnc
~ f,irly wrings the hearts Of mis- auditors. by
slowing the authentic tragedy Of human life. Ii
=, q thoroughly representative exposition of VIA;
80 he accomplished with the actors art. when the
o.,o- IS man OF genus MI Irving mas, OF course,
.,..s far greater parts and risen TO far lofter
,.,shts but that performance taken singy. would
4. sufrcien; answer 10 all those exgent censors
,o declare that Mr.. Irving is more stase-nlana-
-, than an actor. The achievement Is one OF per-
g., SIMPLICITY which yet never becomes inspid,
AVA i is remarkable equally for great knowledge of
snman nature vivid characterization, variety Of ex-
n.s,ve art and splendid sincerity and adequacy
:. ,be sus,ainment Of a mos, difficult condition and
:, monologue that might readily be made lud-
crous
sergeant Brewster is survivor OF the battle OF
waterloo and is made known that when the
crarls in the course OF that battle. were once IN
ra.d If powder he performed. with great N~icr me
sxn,oIt of driving a powder-wagon through the
nsrov's fire and thus Of relieving his comrades IN
,hsir distress For that deed he received the
waterloo Medal and ii is through talking ABOUT
Waterloo and his exploit that the ola soio'er l.
.hroUn INFO the excitement which Immediately pre-
codes his stupor. his momentary rally ana MS
oath Three persons in succession have speech
u,.b bim-hs dead brothers grandchiid common
s,laler and the colonel of the Guards. The nam
,,cden, in his description Of the bAtie-an nnpas-
sionad biz of narrative Illustrated 10y reference 70
~ re6icne-hotties and mantie-piece ornaments IN
Sis humble lodging. In that passage MI. liNns
,nsae fhe illusion perfect. Nobody laughed ana lew
cnia ICON hack their But other touches We're
even amer The sudden rising Of the veteran 10
snieayo. 10 give the regulation miiltary Sa'.te,
.nor hs mention of the colonel OF the tIuarls the
Teferencs to "Armageddcn at when ceies.at Cc
80. ths Guards are ~ be present. and the pure
'yU have a word to say. me psrceplo'! .. -, "a,
nshins which tells Of the clorss that are 10 COM
IA inriie,t % the broken pipe, ana the npetuouS
~ ozieS ecstacv OF the CRY tina; precedes death al
xsro wonderfully fine. Only an actor OF con,isuih-
mate ski. and authority c3Iid h91 M ~
a. Mr Irving did when the poor o.d creature MAJ
inc broken his c.ayppe, suddenly purst mo va
s,d bsvaiis Ms Oss. as = child might weep oNe' II
~-ushea .oy The instant transition To slaCn 50 a.
s,Shf 80 a new pine. Of bTier-wOod,-tne sEt q.
sa,ijar-u.ss likewise wonderful. in It's eIeCt upon
~ feelings because of its pitlable train; A. the
s,ose the I'D man has sunk into stupor nlt TON
~, ~, he awakens and. becoming erect and spen-
dd-for one brief instant the spiritual lheara'bbn
~ al that once ne has been,-he sends fortn ths
e.ne sbri1 cry with which he hraved hre ana
Ssaih AZ Waterloo and falls back dead. MI iN'"7
was superb at that Gilman ,,..n.,or &c o., addi
,an,l revelation OF Mr. lrving's versatility ahH II
ia somet hing moro. II is convincing PROOF L.a,
Is. mission Of the drama is to lnterpTe, hui',ar man
,s,us and human life and not to InOraiize vNea
1sm The spectator Is neither aHllcteu WIN
nrobem nor dosed with precept. ana YET Ms ihi'.u
rswaa and ennobled. because he has been mac 20
ss ,nn essential fraty OF his mortal condi-
ttnn and the great solemnity OF ear'hy eHls'sh0e
Nd ~ the vast and unknown future. Ihat y d
Lila result and the dramatic art when produces IL
Z OF the greatest value to the world