New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-15
Nh. CHARLES WARNER II DRINK
The Academy.

- warmers irlpersonation % Coupeau. IL the
80 r,e1odrans of Drink" which was presented
- -.~h- ~ the Academy Of Music. is a remark
,se achievement Ia tho vein Of realism. and indeed
. t,-nieai example ~ the best-snd worst-that can
= .-r-nrlsheG in the line Of photogra phic acting.
--- warner who has been IN continual practice OF
-, s.-re frr nearly FORTY vears.-playIng many
s---. ~ parts from Romeo 10 MT. Pun. from Jingle
=, Monte Cristo. and from Young Dornton and
Charles Surface 20 Shore and Mddlewick.-is an
s-to- ~ large ard varied experience. and OF ca
,enf.0usl talent. more particularly ia the domain
n fsct His ideals hsve not shown imagination
- bs et,le has not shosn refinement but he has
--a-lsested q keen perception Of character and he
Las capfIvatcd the general favor by an offhand.
asfh.ng carriage. rough and bury humor. =
--b.rt yo.aIism. 2 picturesque personality. and a
aerfe.tlv Ineligible method. involving glamour
a -,et-. and no subtlety or intellect. About
,ve-ty-tolr years ago he began to act coupesu
and ne has been acting that part with but little
,-+rrri-eon. ever since. The play OF Drink"
--se rv rha- great writer Charles Reade. is
q srartc synopsis a. Mr Zola's l0athsome
uevs! 90 Il .Assommo.r this character OF
csureor suSusos and dominates =; and Mr. War
---f rc-forrr-n~- ~ Coupesu Is low life itself
literally copied Every student % dramatic
A. Should ser b.. NJ tor no other reason than
~ learn what 20 avoid. The achievement IS
o. IMAGE ~ gradual lerra dati0n under the blight
of 5ztsl8..srzElc Tho 'tIiEhtfui example" ends IN
ace oi th.s disease. Nr Warnor becomes terrible
otie-t Inspiring f~ar ard diffusins thrill Of hor-
r.! De- showing t.ie bodily agonies and hdeous col
'-rse ~ favire maniac. The acting is natural:
iast - say ID involves physical contorious. con-
vu.sive tUltcbes dietcnded eyeballs puttyllke.
Es-eross c0nr'rXion. fr0thi1g month hoarse
gurlIee frantic sells. oulaclated frame. and. al
-oreth-r monstrous exhibition 90 animal suffer
ingsI these elements 81 terror being s9bordin@ted
60 clearly defined purpose. and co-ordiuated and
d.srIayea with expert skill. The powers Of the
srtor arc undeniabs but IL is deplorsbie that they
should be- put Orb such use. Each 10 his taste.
There sre persons who think tIat nature is
rnl-rd-cd bv prospect ~ -1le dissoctinr room ami
thf garbage cart. End there are persons who be
Heve that nature should b. rrrre~ented upon some
principle az selection. and thar The province OF art
is tfe ministry rr beauty. The subject OF L As
somm0r" .s Dot new on the American stage. Az
Fustn D4iv brought oet a play on this theme ia the
srri1g 30 ls7e. at tho Olympic Thcatre. now gone.
The success of Mr. Warner with his audience was.
~ course TrC5iri~-e Tho tradition of Notorious
Sra Tie DrsHkaTa' and of john y Cough on the
platform. Is completely cclipsed by this perform
su.s There are sweet domestic touches in the
foreground ~ the perforInance.-such as the court
ship ri Gcryase and the frolic with the child-and
The actor marks with ane discrimination. the
cautrest between Coupcau in his DAYS of rectitude
sac coupesu iB bic Gecne snd Tsin. The portrayal
n hrs SURRENDER 10 the tenipta zion If drink cutie
overwhelmed Dis audience. with its affecting fidelity
10 TIE lieous struggle between appetite and ,iut,-
ana IN The climax Of the delirium the multitude
seemed shaken as with . vhirlwind The use Of
musical accompaniment 10 that psroxyn. how
fl-I. Nl-- ash spoiled I;s effect; such an adjunct
u1dtr such circumstances IS not only mistake
tuf an shsaldity- ar. Warner MADE q brief speech
si,er The 1'r.ous -ecne. quoting lne or two from
Cr-srr.