New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04
MRS. G. H. GILBHRT.
Recent Appreciations of the Vener-
able Actress.
From IRE New-York Tribune. October Is 1904
MRS. GILBERT AT THE LYcEUM.


In Mrs. Gilbert's association with the New-York
stage. which has extended over period Of forty
years, she has obtained not only the public adj
miraton actress. but the public affection as
a woman. Her first appearance in the local the
atre in 1864. and now In the eighty-fourth
year Of her age she enters her final theatri-
cal season, intending. at the close OF IT. TO say
farewell Last night she appeared at the Lyceum
Theatre. in play. adapted from the French called
Granny and in this she personatcd an OLD
woman who. with good intention. alienates her
grandson from his father. and, later. with tender
ness and tact procures their reconciliation and re-
union The play is OF slight texture almost
tnsubstantia but IT is a sufficient vehicle for this
slender character. Its story is representative Of
phase of domestic experience by means unusual.
It's persons have often been seen in actual life
There is the widower gradually forgetful OF his
Iamented wife. wshful to marry again, and sus-
ceptble to the charms of the blooming widow
There is the young son. frank and generous. de-
voted to the memory Of his dead mother. ana
resoutely antpathetic TO his fathers second mar
riage. There is the handsome widow. mahgned
but triumphant. There is the widows charming
daughter. who, in the fulness OF time. can be-
come the sons sweetheart, and be made the
sure incentive to reatorat ton Of domestic peace
And there is the brisk and busy old grandmother.
prone to regulate everybody around her. who
fractures the domestic circle suffers for her well
meant error. and ultimately coutrives with
wisdom that ancient ladies seldom display make
atonement and recover happiness. Mrs. Gilbert, il
hardly need be said. is easily proficient as the
tral mover in this simple scheme She was greet
ed with long continued pIaudits.--the welcome. in
this case. OF hearts well as hands,-and her
performance rewarded with every denotenlept
Of popular sympathy and favor.
The part of Granny.-Mrs. Tomson.-nay be brief
ly described as Jesse Rural in pettcoats. One
situation almost dramatic. provides the actress
with opportunity that improved by Mrs
Gilbert. with effect of deep and touching pathos
that old WI har fault
to her son-in-law and his wife. declares that
she cannot acknowledge it 10 her grandson. be-
If she does. she will lose his love. by admit
ting that her selfish jealousy gave him had counsel
and led him wrong In colleagues between Granny
and the maid and youth whom she lures into a
Iove-match. the actress likewise very SYM
pathetic The curtain calls were numerous, and
the success Of the actress was not moment in
doubt
Mrs Gilbert has assumed, IN her time and has
represented, with fidelity to nature and with brill
liant artistic effect. great number OF various and
strongly contrasted Characterization Betsy Trot-
wood to Hester Dethridge. and from Mrs. Malaprop
TO Lady Macbeth; but the personality in which, Of
late years she has been esse tialy distinctive and
pre-euinent is that of the formidable matrou OF
decorous responsibility, wise, shrewd. sensible. and
blandIy humorous. Her performances OF Mrs. Bar
gisse in "7-20-S'' and Zantppe Rabbit in "A
Night Off," are remembered with delight, and al
ways will be remembered, by those persons who
have had the good fortune see them. She has,
however shown the rare and exquisite faculty OF
high comedy.-givtng representation OF the Mar
quise de ST. Maur. in Caste" that could not be
exceled for aristocracy OF manner. and playing TO
perfection such parts as Mrs. Caudour. Mrs. Rack
ett Mrs. Hardcastle, the Widow Warren, and many
other danes Of that peculiar and difficult strain.
Now in the evening Of life, it is not inappropriate
that she should present, the final emblem or ootn
her nature and her art, the sweet grave. reverend
venerable matron, who prefgures and inculcates
charity. love. and peace. That is the image dis
played. and made both piquant and lovable, by ner
performance of Granny. The intrepid spirit OF the
veteran anirnates the whole fabric Of the play. It
never has been Mrs. GiIberts way to yield 70 the
inroads Of time, or to claim privilege on the
of age: and her amazing vitality shows ftse4r
still cheerful and firm. Traces Of weakness would
not be Incompatible with the part that she plays,
but there was weakness in her expression of a
rounded and clear ideal; and the gentle personality
thus deity revealed is that all discerning OBJ
servers OF the stage will with pleasure and be
glad hereafter to recall. W. W.