New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-09

Columbia Theatre in Brooklyn presenting s.Fsobes-
-serre" The house crowded. and a smooth
performances OF Mr. Sardous powerful rnelodrama
gave ABUNDANT Satisfaction TO brilliant audience
Henry Irving like all actors, of inspiration and
sensbility Is variable in his moods and UNEQUAL in
his performances; but his acting proceeds out OF
profound sincerity and is guided by clear purpose
so of hts professional repetitons has the
freshness Of a fret performance and public expec-
tstion is disappointed by him. In his en-
bodrnent of Robespierre, although the emotions
are, at certain moments. stimulated to excessive
srdor. and to positive delilium.-in the great
ghost scene-the intellect is generally predominant
snd therefore the result for spectator, is chiefly
an flumina ton Of character. Mrabesu said of the
original Robespierre that his countenance sug-
gested a cat drinking vinegar. The actor has very
deftIy contrived TO suggest the sour ascetic but
st the same time he has elevated him into the ideal
fanatic who yet retains some OF the finer human
attributes. Nothing could be more expressive than
Henry Irving's sharp. acrid. crisp delivery OF
Robespierre's fantastic theoretical speeches to-
gether with his quick transitions from rhetoric to
ssturnine humor, and his passionate avowa1s OF
unconscious egotism. In those passages, no doubt,
the observer sees a very much like what
Robespierre actually was II is, however, in the
scenes with Clarsse. with the Olivier, and with
the ghosts in the Concergerie prison, that the ac-
tors Imagination becomes liberated and the spell
NJ his genius is laid upon every human heart.
The cast Of parts remains unchanged. Ellen
Terry has the most difficult of all the auxiliary
Characterization the reason that Ciarisse Is more
t, sufferer than an actor. and would produce but
rttla effect If the embodiment Of her were not
made authoritative by the dominating splendor
and charm Of a distinguished personality. Those
observers who recall Ellen Terry as Queen Henri
,+ta Maria in Charles l." are aware of the simple
,,ov-er and spontaneous grace with which she en-
bodies an imperial confronted with az
sjc,ton and sorrow. Such woman she mas again
presented in Clarisse de Malucon. The part does
No, proytde many opportunities but her utterance
~ the frenzied prayer. at the close OF the al
eicttng episode Of the passing tumorils. is dis
MAY OF the highest dramatic art and thing never
10 be forgotten. a,,..
A French opinion of Henry Irvings Rooespierre
&c NJ course interesting. NJ. GustaVe BarrouHet
yrr5ting IN the Parts Temps" recorded MS vie"
Of II follows: . -
.Trxsne,s composition of the leading part is ex-
,aa5trglZ, beautiful. The public sees the man or
,nernidor with his polished elegance his nervous
++arreted frame his piercing eye and ugerike
-nel+v his vanity and subtlety his sef-possesslon
81 his carefully calculated outbursts ABOVE an
T-irg xstalizes with marvellous skill. the moral
- traced by sardou, of the engmattcai tyrah'
a. those nature were combined the opposing
,sy,+,es Of generosity and ferocity. seif-aonega-
ton and intense egotism. deadly pride ana Sell
sscrihce In pursuit of ideal"