New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-08
THE DRAMA.
NINE. MODJEsKA AS ISABELLA.


The return OF Nine. Modjeska TO the local stage Is
welcome incident OF the opening theatrical sea-
SON II VIII be a subject of regret to the many adj
mrcrs OF this fascinating and accomplished artist
that her present engagement "a to be so short and
that II Is announced as her Last In this city. They
have at the same time TO Thank her for providing
revival OF one OF the less frequently acted plays OF
Shakespeare and such a revival as brings the worl,
worthly before the student Of the acted drama and
gives him memorable picture OF one OF the poet =
creations which II is not possible often 20 enjoy
outside the library
Measure for Measure" which Nine Modjcska
and her company presented last night NJ the Garrck
Theatre was acted by her few seasons ago at tho
Union Square Theatre. but with such n company end
with such surroundings compelled the spectacle
to depend for the eject almost much upon his
imagination upon his eye ard ear. This was
happily changed last night. The present company
Is thoroughly competent one, and the mounting
of the play is such TO crafty the eye and assist
10 the appreciation OF the work
The part OF Isabella is one which Nine Modjesla
Is especially well qualified BY nature to interpret
correctness and completeness Isabella Is a woman
Of nnencss and force OF character and the motive
and guldingl spirit Of her life are found In its abso-
Lutte purity. To her mind unchasity is verse than
a thousand deaths. The state OF feeling which
could consent to the sacrifice OF chastity at any
price is utterly beyond her understanding, and all
the rmncss OF her nature sets itself in opposition
the thought OF such n bargain Yet the element Of
sistery love IL also strong In her that this
hrmn"ss. unshakable as II is is needed to fortify
her against what might be In q woman of another
sort powerful temptation to save her brother at
any cost These are the active. the moving qualities
IN Isabella, yet with them there Is so much deep
and true genteness and sweetness that there is no
room In her for mere revenge, and when all the
injury has been done TO her that be done when
a villain has insult@d her honor. broken his oath
to her and destroyed her brother she yet ask
that he be pardoncd. rather than let his just punish
ment bring unhappness on p n innocent person
The actresses embodiment OF all this makes her
performance of IN" character n pleasure and a
benefit 10 see, and makes It worthy to be remern-
bered as the realization Of one Of the most beautl-
iul OF Shakespeare's beautiful and good women;
Her horror at her brothers ab1ec, despair and
nature essentially lofty against the bare thought
seemed little things; right was the only great
thing In the last act the slow yelling of the face
shame expressed to the spectator Enthusiastically
how impossible 1t was that such story as she was
to be hoped for herself the camness OF her
lie Of her enemy dspayed the rc s nat p that
should belong to such character. The sweeping
extravagant Joy but only quiet peace and happi-
ness. to be accepted like the sorrow as gift not
few of the members OF Nine. Modjeskas com
pany deserve mention for their aiG in giving effect
psarian actor and his authority and dignity as the
Duke were the proper key TO the Interpretation of
the part The part of Claudio H. an unpleasant
II he is not to be despsed by the spectator must
be supposed that his grefs and his burning sense
Of injustice have driven him the verge OF
temporary madness, and that his own calmer mood
would rehuke that In which he speaks to his sister
In the prison. Howard Kyle did his hes, to convey
this impression. and thus made the part less often
sive than IL might easily be. Beaumont Smith
pressed the humorous malice of Luco. and Robert
McWade gave droll and amusing impersonation
OF Pompey. Some changes In the cast. which were
found necessary only few hours before the per-
Torrance, caused a little appearance OF uncer-
ia N he of nf "a nj n
points of the play and made them appear at dis
advantage. This will undoubtedly be corrected In
the second performance