New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-22
THE DRAMA.
HENRY IRVING as DANTE.
Nontauk Theatre.

Henry Irving appeared last night At the Montauk
Tksstre IN Brooklyn. and tmpersonated Dante. in
his elaborate and magnificent production OF the
sardou drama on that subject. and he win continue
10 act there throughout the present week. Water
loo" The Bells" The Merchant OF Venice" and
Louis X" VIII be successfully presented There
Is no word 10 be said about Dante" Its
beauty 4 spectacle has been recognized IN many
cities and the power and pathos OF Henry Irving's
embodiment OF the great Italian poet have been
deeply felt and duly and rightly recorded The
word for the hour is one OF monition 10 the play
going public. that the opportunity Of seeing great
actor should not be neglected. There are many
entertainments displayed on the local stage. but
fhsre are few actors who can be considered worthy
o. the name Henry Irvng.-original in his
genius noble IN purpose, right IN principle Tieh In
experience. and splendid tn achieveIIent--stanos
clone. TIL tine. the ElustriOus eSemplar OF ali
that is best In the dramatic vocation. Opinions may
zinsr ever SO widely as 10 the relative values OF
his various performances. but no thoughtful OBJ
server can look upon his acting without pleasure
I'D beneht--the pleasure o. seeing peTtecuon or
method and the benefit OF being exalted in mind and
ennsbied in feeling The plays that he presents are
os the higher order and he places the emphasis on
acting. and not incidents OF eecentricity prob
loras OF immortality. or extraneous features OF
vulgar sensation. The spectator OF his acting sees
great ideals made actual. human nature reflected
with the delicate artistic exaggeratioD that pro-
6uces the effect OF reality, creations or the poetic
imagination endowed with life. and the elusive
fancies OF genius turned to vital, sympathetic
images OF beauty. pataos. hurnor, grace and charm
The range OF his art. in even the five characters
chosen for his repertory this week, is eztraor-
binary; for IL comprises not only the lonely
grandeur and intellectual authority Of Dante.
but the senIls wreck Of poor old Corporal
Brewster. the awful mental strife and agon-
tied. remorsefuI delrium Of Matthias, the
tremendous passionate concentration OF Shylock-
and the ualisn craft and balefu, steathy ferocity
o. King Louis. This is the ninth week OF Henry
Irving's present American tour. The strain Of
exeron has been great but it has been well borne,
and the actors powers are stin supreme The per-
Torrance last night was one OF ample vigor ana
beautiful finish Among The auxiliar embodiments
those OF Caseua- by M James Hearn: Giotto, by
NJ r B. Stanford; Co-so. by Mr.. c. Dodsworth;
Ostasio. by Mr.. Frank Tyars, and the 1nquisitor
BY William Farren. Jr-. impressed observation
by qualities Of judgment sincerity, feeling. and
zeal; but this play involves much pageantry and
is SO ciuse IN story that IL somewhat obscures in
oiE1duzI effort AS a scenic production this pre-
sentiment surpasses. & opulenCe, variety. and love
nness-especialIy OF imaginative suggestion-any-
thing hitherto shown upon our stage by any man
ager except Henry Irving himself Dante viii
be repeated tonight W. ".