New-York tribune., 1900-04-22
THE DRAMA.
JEFFERSON AS ACRES.

scarcely be expected. Mr.. Jefferson's condensa-
ton OF Sheridan's comedy-justihed equally by the
authors example, the stage requirements of the
present day and the crisp md sharp comic effects
that have been obtained by slight changes of the
original.-presents the substance Of the play in
three fluent acts makes Acres steadily diTusive of
humor in three animated and brilliant scenes, and
takes nc greater liberty with Sheridans work than
such deepens its comic tints and augments
its sympathetic anurement The character of
Acres is made less rural and more whimsical. less
rough and amable and attractive-not a
coarse Tony Lumpkn. but artless good fellow.
vain and empty but genial and human. capable of
inspiring kindness If downright affection, and
exceedingly amusing in his egregious self-compla-
cency. his laundering ineptitude and his fantastic
folly. The points especially emphasized are the
meeting between Acres and the jealous. irascible,
self-tormenting Falkland the interview between
Acres and Sir Lucius O'Trgger. when the chal-
lenge IS prepared for the mythical Beverley, and
the frustrated duel in Kings Mead fields. when
Captain Absolutes tangle is unravelled and Fight
ing Bob" is released from his direful dilemma Mr..
Jefferson, in acting Acres. has done for the part
what no one else ever did-he has made 1t not only
laughabe but lovabe: his auditors. during the duel
scene scarcely less anxious for the relief of his
rueful suspense than they irresistbly amused
by the comcality of his plight. Upon the innumer-
able deft touches of art with which the amusing
vanity Of Acres is made to impel him into re-
dictionary demonstration of valor-such as almost
instantly recoils from It's exuberance,-and then
half painful and wholly comic. Observers COM
mentary might extend a treatise: for every gest-
is expressive. every pose IS eloquent and the
play of feature and the meditation OF tone III
their wonderful variety. complete embodiment,
which. whether II be that OF the author or that or
the actor is distinct and delightful ideal per-
fectly made manifest The performance held a
good audience enthralled with pleasure, and 1t was
absorbed with eager interest and rewarded with
copious and almost continuous applause
he Hr0lI Sitllar riOroS and he
THE Rivals impart it a marvellous vitality
Time has impaired It's force or stalled It's run.
The dressing of this fine old picture of tashlohaoe
Bath in the eighteenth century uncommonly
rich and beautiful. and Mr. Jeffersons company, IN
it's Interpretation. manifested strength. scholar
ship, and taste. Representations of Sir Anthony
Absolute and Mrs. Malaprop always, in this
community overshadowed with memories or John
Gilbert and Mrs John Drew, who certainly, IN
those parts We're perfection.-for the reason that
they irrpersonated, and for the further rea-
that they immensely favored by phys
ical suitability and proclivlties Of temperament
Mr. Werner Charges and Miss Ffollott Paget
assume the characters from without rather
than from within but this they do in a very able
manner ana with capital effect Miss Paget g
too handsome for Mrs. Malaprop. but she preserves
the manner with invariable skill and delivery
of the old tyrants Dngberry dehverances is de
iiciousy serious. She has wisely retained all Mrs
Drew's business especially that OF the exchange
of letters, which. TO the manner Of It. was Mrs
DreW's invention. Mr. Charges would perhaps pro
duce even more effect with Sir Anthony II h" were
more weighty and less continuously explosive and
If ne did strike twelve at once. careful and
correct assumption of CAPTAIN Absolute. by Mr..
Boyd Putnam. served excellent foil to Mr.
Jeffersous Acres. but would prove still more ser
viceabe II lighter, more buoyant. and martially
graceful A most admirable performance CT the
country pumpkin. David. by George Denham, elic-
tied by the force Of genuine character, all the fun
that there is in the part and greatly helped 10
emphasize the unconscious comicality Of Acres in
his ruefu predicamept with the challenge Fag
was neatly acted by William jefferson. and in a
blithe and nimbIe spirit, and Lydia Languish was
made capricious and sweety pretty by Elsie Leslie
once so distinguished a. chid-actress. now
lovely young woman, not less distinguished In nat
ural manner than artlesg in temperament. Lydia
LaDr1leh is a part that could advanta geousy be
considerably more elaborated In the performance
of it, but Miss Leslie indeed pleasant vision
It is difficult to how anything more could
be made of Falkland than made OF it by
Jefferson Winter. The part has been much
reduced and Julia has been excluded.
creditable endeavOr was made by Joseph
jefferson, ir as Sir Tuctus O'Trigger-a character
that taxed the ability Of such John
Brougham and William J. Florence. After the sec
ond curtain Nj Jefferson made characteristic
speech full of kindness and drollery. IF don't
say more than we mean" he remarked you are
apt to think that don't half say" The
occasion should he recorded as one Of the most
cheerful Of the year The Rivals will be repeated
Friday and Saturday. On Monday MI Jeffer-
will Caleb PIumraer ard Mr. GoliPhty.
CAST OF THE RIVAL 8
Anthony Absolute. .Vorer CiH~ees
Captain Absolute E8oSr Pu nam
Sir Iuci,ls o Trigger Josere r
Falkland Jeffcrsc' Winner
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