New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-15
THE DRAMA.
WYNDHAM AS GARRICK.
Lyceum Theatre.

AsOSuiu 4uc61Cs
Charles wyndham. who appeared last night at
Gre Lyceurn Theatre. in the character of David
CsarTick. in 7. ". Robertson's well known comedy
Of that name, comes upon the scene like a ray of
sunshine dark November day. Many years
have passed since last he acted in this city out he
has been IN continual practice. he has obtained
sbsoute control Of his powers and resources and
his art exhibits the affluence OF self-re-
.trsint repose. spontaneous action, and effortless
r1lliancy This delightful style Of acting-a style
that blends buoyancy and grace Of manner with
unobtrusive feeling and delicate seutiment-seems
70 have been represented. the early stage by
such actors as Wilks. Kynaston and Woodward; in
q later period by ElIiston and Charles Kembe: and
within the last fifty years. II notably exempt
fed by Charles Mathews and Lester wallack The
vital attributes OF II are feeling held in perfect
control, graceful aiacrity Of movement. and au-
thoritative elegance OF manner. Mr. wyndharn IS
e. conspicuous representative OF II now and his
admirably picturesque and sympathetic impersona-
ton Of David Garrick presents impressive
ample Of Its excellence.
The play IS known 10 the dramatic audience all
over the civilized world. In Germany it exists as
Doctor Robin."-and. probably it was from the
German play that Robertson derived the impulse
70 construct his much better comedy: though. in
deed, II has been said that he founded it on an
alleged Incident Of Garrick's love affair with Mile.
Violette atterward Mrs. Garrick-the actor
the story goes. having promised his friend the
Countess OF Burlington TO cure Violette Of her
passion FOR him In France II is designated "Sulh-
van" Many actors have played Garrick. The
elder sothern kept it in his repertory to the last,
snd but that he was artificial in the expression Of
sentiment and could express pathos at all, his
assumption OF it graceful. humorous. and eff
receive. The elder Salvini acted il, in Italian. and.
somebody said OF John Kemble as Don Felix,
was about as cheerful as hearse in snow
ttorrn.'-though certainly he did touch sympa-
thetic chord in subtly showing the actors misery
when compelled 10 disgrace himself in the presence
Of the woman who loves him. No one, however,
until Nj Wyn6ham adopted II. had made this
character the perfect emblem Of the accomplished
actor. the ideal gentleman. the self-sacrifcing
lover. the radically. profoundly. absolutely good
mana thing Hcult 10 Co and not possible
through mere .-litatlon-
Goldsmith sal ~ David Garrick that he
al abridgment Of all that IS pleasant in man"
KITTY Give. in the time of her rancor against
him. nevertheless testified 10 his greatness as
actor: Damn him. she exclaimed. Il believe he
could act a gridiron." While I under your
control" she afterward wrote to him Il did not
say half the fine things I thought OF you. because
81 looked like fattery. the height OF the
public admiration FOR YOU when you were never
mentioned but the Garrick the charming man,
tho fine fellow. the delightful creature both by men
and ladies'. I was living witness that they die
know. nor could they be sensible. OF half your
projections" Mrs. Abingdon, whom he seems to
have deIested. and who was not his friend, never
theless declared that Shakespeare was made for
embodiment Of Garrick Nj Wyndham has been
mindful Of the actual whom the dramatist
aimed 10 reproduce; and. for the first time, this
character Is shown q personality compounded
OF poetry. passion. variety, vivacty. and fire.
Those persons who remember Mr.. Wyndhams
acting when he associated with Lester Wal
lacks stock company viii recall that his style
was then somewhat hard and brittle: he always
had dash and humor, but in parts of the order Of
Harry Dornton he did not evince deep feeling.
IN his acting now while the vein of bland, quizzi-
cal. whimsical. sparkling humor is more opulent
than ever. there is rich depth of manly tender
ness The feeling is not ostentatious. There is no
efusion about It. The pathos deep and true; and
Il would be difficult praise too highly this superb
comedians intense, true delicate and lovely bear
ing throughout the whole Of the passage in which
the actor counsels the daughter TO be true to her
father and her duty. Robertson's fine genius as a
orama1ist (sbuudantly shown in Caste Ours"
Home and Society" as well as in David Gar
rick -. Enthusiastically moulded guided by the
influence OF Thackeray: and M. Wyndharn's mind
and temperament have taken bias and color from
that same great master Of humor and pathos
That came great folutain-head OF truth The actors
carriage OF the humorous passages-the interview i
with the rrosy and conventional British ner-
chant. the colloquy with the civic magnates guests
and the stimulation Of inebriety,-has the conf
cary Of furtve satire and the ease Of second nat
uTe; II in the Of transparency-the revela-
ton q grief through the mask Of tirsy merri-
nent-and In the simple manifestation OF just
noble raagnaninous soul in the serious moment
O. the actors supreme trial. that the performance
reached its highest altitude OF beauty 1t is an
achievement Of noble quality and Of great ORA
matte value. The text has been in some particulars
changed and improved The character OF Mr..
Ing0t has been considersb bly, softened and elevated
end during three acts Of the play II was made
natural and lovable-a tender father and a worthy
somewhat crochetty old fellow-by Mr. Henry
Bshop. IN tins last scene il was weakened through
Isch or deep feeling NJ Atherley, Squire Chivy
VINO has some capital lines in the tipsy episode
made distinct nix with his comic inebriety: his
recovery, in The closing scene was precipitste
The smiths, Joneses and Browns are caricatur-s
and, as SUCH We're well done-Mr Gilbert Fsroubar
In particular. giving drou portrayal OF asnine
Vulgarity. Miss Mary Moore Cdrs. Albery widow,
OF James AiDery' The richly talented. much la
mented author OF The Two Roses'D PLAYS Ada
lngot. and indicates an innocent romantic high
pTlncipled girl The advent OF M. Wvndharn as
David Garr1ck IS recorded, and 1t Will everywhere
be recognized, one Of The important events
o. the dramatic year. IA "