New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26
THE DRAMA.
MR.. HARE AT ABBEY'S THEATRE.
"A PAIR OF sPECTACLEs"

"A PAIR OF SPECTACLES'
The Remittance OF Mr. Hare brilliantly ac-
compshed last night In Abbey's Theatre. and was
hailed with reclamation by delighted company OF
intelligent refined. and appreciative persons. Mr..
Hare reappeared as Benjamin Godfnch. In MT.
Grundy's excellent play OF "A Pair OF Spectacles'
and. although he has acted the part scores OF tmes
and OF late has been somewhat enfeebled Dy Illness
he was as fresh ever In it,-spontaneous authon-
tative fluent with the gracious ease Of nature and
fascinating with the charm OF perfect art IL is one
OF the most agreeably significant and most sat sly
ing dramatic performances that have been set be-
fore this community since the present generation
began and the return Of Mr.. Hare places once
more within the public reach source OF intellectual
and refined pleasure such as the theatre has seldom
afforded. Those persons who make 1t custom TO
the best things that are shown upon the stage
will miss a valuable privilege and a gentle memory
II they neglect to see Mr. Hare Godfnch. The
impersonation is not addressed to people whose
brains consist OF warm water and wind. II Is in
tellectual; 1t Is symbocal; II touches elemental
traits OF human nature and representative phases
OF personal experience with spiritual light rather
than with a physical hand.-with suggest!veness
rather than with insstent expression. II does not
copy actual life: II delicately exaggerates l-and
that Is the province and privilege OF comedy. The
acting OF Mr. Hare. therefore, is addressed to people
who possess Imagination and the capacity to think
and to feel.
Particular description OF this comedians portrayal
OF Godhnch has been given In this place. and re-
petition of 1t is not now essential. 1t may not be
Inappropriate useless. however, to observe the
interesting fact that this assumption of character
Is impressive and beautiful. without any inter-
mixture OF carnal love" The emotional elements
of the piece those OF the affections. and among
its most charming qualities the delicate ten
derness and fine with which 1t touches
upon the sacred things OF the heart. Those are
old-fashioned virtues but there are persons still
liking who remember the time when reticence
deemed an imperative essential OF fine breeding.
and when the breach Of It. In any form Of art.
would have been promptly resented as II II had
been a social affront 1t has been reserved for the
Wild and whrlIng mood OF the present time to intro
duce the OF public Dissertation of the feel
ings. unbrdled abuse OF refinement. and miscel-
laneous wallowing In all manner OF improperly OF
analytical ethics.
Such play as "A Pair OF Spectacles reverts to
a better standard Of public taste. and let's in upon
fragrant air of truth and beauty. The spirit Of the
gentleman shines through the writing OF II. and
through the acting OF It, and you camn delight in it
while II is passing. and remember 1t with pleas
ure and gratitude Honor and success to John Hare!
He gladly welcomed. and 50 was his able associ-
m S .O of h d Wess TRy w and Man
Terry .Ss succeed s 81 them or Nay MI irving anu MISS
The comedy was preceded by odd Cronies cast
as follows:
Captain Pigeon Charles Groves
The cast OF "A Pair OF Spectscles'' is recorded
here:
Mr. BENJAMIN colannch John Hare
Percy. his Allan Atwood
i.orimer his friend. Charles Rock
bartholomew his shoemaker Eusene Mayeur
Another shoemaker. Henry Abbott
M1. i Irer rr mers Mis- Nellie Thorn.
Charlotte parl n maid Miss clifford