New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-08
THE DRAM A.
HENRY IRVING N THE BELLS"
a rUpTsTNlts STORY

"a CHRISTMAS STORY"
Henry Irvngs powerful and thrilling embodImen;
OF Matthias In THE Bells" was again set before this
community last night az Abbeys Theatre and again
1t manifested the wide scope and splendid intensity
OF his Imagination and the aurement OF his artistic
style That performance has had many limitations,
direct and indirect. but # is unique and it remains
unapprOached and unapproachable. IL is the crea-
tion' not OF the dramatist. but OF the actor. The
original story contains warrant for anything
even half so fine. The employment OF a preternat-
ural agency l. the actors device. and the whole
treatment OF the subject metaphysical and less
than dramatic, comes from his inspiration. and is
at once the product and the sign OF his genius.
Irvlngs presenn ent OF this part is OF the most
difficult and most surprising Of all his achieve
ments. for while nc keeps Matthias absolutely within
the limits OF the character. as an nnkeeper he
lifts him, as a study Of rem0rse and passion. quite
to the Level OF Manfred. 1t is only a great actor who
can move with ease. and sustain himself in an at
mosphere Of perfect illusion, in situations that
trench upon the border OF the spiritual world. Irv
ing's demeanor in tho OF the apparitlon ere
ates one OF the most impressive moments OF dra-
matte effect that have ever been known. and his
blending Of sweet human traits with the inveterate
determination OF tremendous viii and the ceaseess
horror and agony Of a haunted soul conveys the
hveest impression OF potential intellect, acute SEN
sibiAty, and consummate arr.
a pleasant play called "A Christmas Story" was
presented as a prelude to "The Bells" II comes
from French piece called "COnte de Noel" by Mr..
Maurice Boucher the translation having been made
by Mr. Laurence Irving. the actors SON The scene
IL Paris and the time to-day. young artist, some
what overload Of c0nvival company, has become
ncgectful OF his wife and child. II is Christmas
Eve, and the wife. left alone beside the childs
cradle. IN garnet looking upon the distant towers
Of Notre Dame. deplores her forlorn condition and
bsseeches the saints that her ruant husband may be
restored 10 her love and to his home The hour is
la,e and s; the rover does not come At length the
poor young woman falls asleep. Two statues OF
saints-St Nicholas and ST. Rose-carved in wood by
her husband. now become animate and after pro-
Yid.ng gifts for the child, they declare their intention
to reconcile, unite and bless the parents. The artist,
az THIS point arrives home, upsy lhe saints surprise
and repr0ach him. and in his wonder and dismay
he admits his misconduct and promises amendment.
Ihe wife awakes and is delighted with gifts and still
more with her husband renewed affection and kind
companionshp. In momentary darkness that
the solemn strains OF Christmas hymn,-and the
saints resume their position as statues. The nus
band and wife once more az peace and happy.
and the light breaks in the east the joyous bells
ring in the Christmas morning. Only four persons
acted in this play. The feelings involved are ele-
mental The Incidents chiefly domestic. The
action is simple The touch OF preternaturaI in
huence mparts to the fabric a pleasing atmosphere
OF romance The spirit Is human. The language,
barty verse ana partly prose Is appropriate and
performance OF u. which was smooth and spirited,
only two weeks Of the present Irving engagement
at AObeys Theatre now remain The first two even
lngs OF the present week will be devoted to The
Merchant " Venice hut on Wednesday night three
pieces W4li p. pro !ucei.-"Don OulXOte, Journeys
End IN Lovers Meeting" and "a Waterloo Vet
eran.' None ~ these has yet been seen in Amer
lea. Henry Irving appears ia the first and I'm the
last: Ellen Terry appears IN the second Don
Quix0te' Is a sketch OF character and is comprised
In two SCENES. condensed from Ions play by the
late Mr. wills lrvng's embodiment Of the Water
loo Veteran has already been particularly describes
IN THIS Journal-tne first description OF II that was
published IN America having appeared In this paper
last autumn IL is very remarkable work Of art
and one that every lover OF acting should surely