Year: 1875

MR.. BOOTH AS RICHARD THE SECOND.


The appearance of Mr. Booth in part is dra-
matte almost national in its character He
rupted his engagement at the Fifth Avenue Theatre
which thus far has been Of unusual and brill,
fancy, to present the people of New York repre-
senation Of 'Rchard H. The difficulty with a ira
gedan Of the genius and fame OF Mr. Booth is that the
popularity attending the familiar parts of Shakespeare
othello Lear, Iago &c.-lims his usefulness as in
terprcor of the genius of the great of literature
Accordingly, when tragedian who stands as Mr.
Booth stands conessedy at the head of his proes
son only the greatest in America but among
the great actors of the world ventures beyond the
beaten path present with another Shakespeares
creations feel that he prefers his his own ad-
vanccment Mr. Booth could play Hamlet for
season. We have doubt that if he had confined his
present engagement the Fifth Avenue Theatre this
part it would have been followed by overaowing
houses The would have been less than that of
Mr.. Irving London in the same character for he is


much better actor than Mr. Irving in every respect.
His absence from New York had gwen the people


for his performance keen that any representation
he would have been assured Of all the sue
cess that TO leading actor
in leading part. Therefore his performance of
Richard H. IS made double honor, not only
effort to elevate the stage but add to knowledge
Of that undiscovered world of Shakespeare which, in
the hurry and tumut of later days, is often
forgotten by those who content TO know this great
master OF tragedy and comedy in his Hamlet his Bene
dick and his othelo.


The character of Richard H. is so we'll known to the
student OF English history that it would be
the work OF supererogaton to dwell upon It,
1t is of poem than play, in this respect
reminding US OF 'sWerncr," ''Manfredn and .The Rob
bers." 1t represents in respects the highest
qualities of Shakespeare's genius. There many
speeches in 1t which reach the loest ranges of poetry
and Mr.. Booth gives it thoroughly poetic conception
The part is his from beginning TO end. There is no
second, relief change of interest-the play is
nothing without Richard. He fills the stage, and
Mr. DAILY has answered this conception and the neces
stiles OF the character by clothing the play with
all the wealth of scenery and decoration. Those who
admire Mr.. Booths striking qualities of figure and
counenance which add so largely his popularity need
to see him in Richard H. to know what might be called
the beautiful impersonaon of his role 1t hardly in
range OF criticism dwell upon this part OF great
actor's performance but Mr. Booth has so much
pains evidently to clohe himself in the habiliments
that belong to the part that II needs special
attention at the hands Of the critic His first appear
in the robes Of king masterpiece of imperial
adornment In the play his costume changes
almost from act to act so that every appearance
may be called picture. The dark eyed, black
haired swarthy Hamlet becomes blonde in Richard,
a light faced, fair haired, gentle weak minded
king, Irresolute, his place is constantly war with
his character--one moment a king, the next
a suppcant passing from mood TO mood with rapdity
oflightnng In OF Mr.. Booths parts does he SO
thoroughly fiji the stage in Richard H., and this
which is compliment to his genius actor is
really weakness OF the play. The interest Of
the play is not historical because the history Of these
medieval times is dead in this noisy generation. Tho
character Is negative. There nothing of the prance
and movement OF Henry ", where, when the play
drags Of the audience is kept up by the
drums and blazonry OF There is nothing OF the
terrible personality Of Richard ILL.,, where,
in spite OF the incredible vany OF the character,
we never cease admire that mighty intellect which
made even viany tolcrablo the eyes OF generations
but wc see well sustained poetic embodiment of OF
the most interesting Echaracters in English history
In this respect the performance Of last evening
event in the history of modern drama


the fact that the play to the audience gave
II at the beginning a cold reception, and Mr.. Booth
from the beginning had TO play against his people.
Tho first two acts, therefore, seemed TO drag al
though the second is in respects the finest the
play But all new-the conception OF the charac-
ter; the appearance of tragcdan familiar every
one In the house and yet strange IN his unusual
raiment; tho speeches which but the scholars Of
Shakespeare which lS m0notOn0uS
and appeals rather TO the sympahes than to the heroic
passions OF the multitude 1t requires than ordinary
genius make the weakness and rivolty and tmidty
OF tho King, who loses his throne because of his
own waywardncss, pleasing representation. This
Mr. Booth did. He with his part The scene
where he returns from Ireland and 1nds his kingdom
in against him succession OF brilliant pas
sages declaimed with tragic force keen appre-
citation Of the poetry and beauty of the text
The third act where he meets Bolingbrokc,
makes submission to the usurper was nobly sus.
tanned throughout while the fourth act where he re-
signs the but at the same time refuses to re-
sign his royal manhood carried the audience by storm
and won for him the compliment Of two calls before
the curtain.


As we have said, the success OF Richard IT, lays in
the fact that it represents that devotion to art which
has always marked Mr. Booths career aud which is
shown in It's highest degree in his loyalty seeking in
tho fness Of his fame to add now glory TO even that
OF Shakespeare The support deserves In
some instances the company seemed to be sinking as
were beneath the greatness OF the leading part Mr.
Fisher played John OF Gaunt with aneness and decacy
while Mr.. Hardenbcrg, the Duke Of York showed
tho originality and truth which have mark cd some OF
really meritorious performances Mr. Harkins did
very little with BoIingbroke, although IL Is due
70 him 10 say that II is thankess character being
y were foil to the central figure Of the play Mr.
barrymore deserves credit for the Grc which he threw
into the small part Of the Duke OF Aumcrle Miss Rg
Miss Gilbert and Miss Grey also deserve special mention
Thepart will be played this evening and omorrow, and
a..