The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-09
TOPICS OF THE THEATRE.
POINTS SEEN IN HENRY IRTTN0'S
ACTING AND sTAGECRAFT.

Ths Admirable Production OF " Goaorroi
ESQ Yoisnde Views foe and Agsinst
che Actor II Several OF isis Roles
Other Notes or ths Theatrical stage.
inconsistency IL a Jewel. This Sir Henry 1r-
wing demonstrates In his acting nov ana then.
but forRets in his stage settings. The superb
harmony In architecture and coiorinR which
distinguishes his mountings has been giving
pleasure To his New York audiences once more,
and even in the single performance and one act
OF "Godefroi and Yolande" not n detail was
omitted which could add to the realism OF the
scene or To its sense of movement and vibrant
humanity. The massive building Of medieval
France was Impressive in its solidity. symmetri-
cal in It's proportions, and accurate. In its srchgo-
logical details. In addition to this. the necessarily
sombre view Of the house was gayly relieved by
abundant distribution OF color in the coverings
Of the furniture. the scarf thrown over the
balcony. the dress OF YOldnde. and the various
apparel OF the maskers. Moreover. there was
danger OF an appearance of heavines4 and
crowdine Just after the visitors enter and as
Yoldnde comes in and takes her place on tho
platform at the right Of the stage. This was
avoided by unceasing movement among the
people at the left Of the stage. The
King and the Archbishop, seated on tho
raised bench. were continually moving their
heads and arms 70 look and speak in different
directions, and the throng behind them was not
bbsh - NNe0h sbSVO sehtS' V'OV Ahb'h
care and thought are expended on any produc-
tion which Irving makes. This is noticeable in
all the plays which he presents. but II Is notice.
able In an unpleasant way IN Macbeth" Shake
speare's tragedy has occupied q greater part
Of this week than anything else, and the result
has been that for about half tho week tho stage
Of A6bey,,s Theatre hae worn an aspect Of OPP
pressive gloom. In setting this tragedy, which
T. so persistently solemn and momentois
tempt at q lighter mood, Irving. has con-
: .nS IN y 6 sdhsrs sa. to n,s s6S q SsssT an sn b of ksO . DlHy;
Of grand "nS and lin IL imposing pictures pic which EIHdaaIiy
an anxious and heavy mood despite themselves.
syen lT IN sis is so nG' seo of g gSs1iy sssStEi' sI, dsvi sr5
would not be wholly out, OF place in Macbeth"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that his scholarly end CON
Macoeth's scotland Is agreeable tG the scholar
arc dull in hue, and the sturs which the
dramatic .personases wear as clothes afford no
Iisisl q q 81! ssst HliHlMSll'nss ri HiiHi%Ssp sanse q f night ShG Ss
found IN scotland to mt the spirits Of the audit
youngsters and women might have gotten some
bright or light prod ucts Of the loom from some
lent dunnses. Enough of such innovations to
give a breathing spell now and then to the audi
would render its stage production less difficult
to enjoy to the end.
Henry IrvinR's attempt at Macbeth is pecu-
liarly unfortunate. The fnical ~gcntility which
account for his eccentricities in Ham
let has no place in "Macbeth." There are no
possibilities OF fantastic humor. as In Much
Ado About Nothing" There 10 not a strong
character" part in which he may sink his in
dividuality. or at least utilize It. as he may DO
seen to do in The Merchant OF Venice" thi.
and In Louis Nj" this evening. The
role OF Macbeth demands revelations OF soul. a
violent activity Of intellect, a robust and war :
body. a most careful and accu- !
elocution. and q general effect Of a !
man OF mighty deeds and heroic mind I
iriven by fate. like the harried heroes of the .
Greek tragedies, but more human than they. 1
The personality OF Henry Irving and his histri-
methods do not lend themselves readily to \
uch q part. and he does not succeed In forcing
hem to do him service Init The result OF his at .
empt is not q 50 bject for argument, and this Is It's {
pscial, peculiarly. 1t does not excite comment
u doubt or ridicule or dispute. 1t is simply not Il
II makes no impression except OF
utter ineficiencv. In this respect II is probably F
unique among this famous actors presentations.