Life — February 18, 1886 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ct FESR OT EES ae a 5 | | ' Ay | i i 108 - LIFE - UR chilly Saxon-ness is about as capable of interpret- ing the fiery passions of the outlawed Hernan? of Victor Hugo’s imagination as the Latin races would be of comprehending the phlegmatic inanity of Lord Dundreary. Lawrence Barrett's careful and praiseworthy study of the heroic Spaniard’s réle, which he has been presenting during the past week at the Star Theatre, is utterly Saxon from be- ginning to end. His Hernani belongs to the race of men who can find balm for their direst grievances in writing letters to newspapers for the alleged public good; the Donna Zanthe he so persistently wooes to the women who on the eve of elopement will not forget to put a brush, a comb and some poudre de riz in their valise. Saragossa would be far more intelligible as Birmingham or Boston, and the mob in tunics which invades the stage at one period would be more at home in corduroys. In Paris, Sarah Bernhardt and Mounet-Sully appeared in the principal réles of “ Hernani” and the tragedienne made of Donna Sol—which has been somewhat inexplicably trans- lated into Donna Zanthe—a part which raised her at once to her present position. Comparisons are always odious, but it is almost impossible even to think of the wild, unfet- tered passion of Sarah Bernhardt and the drawing-room, three-volume-novel sentiment of Miss Minna K, Gale, at the same time. Lawrence Barrett and Mounet-Sully merely show the dif- | ference between the French and American conceptions of Hernani, Lawrence Barrett could not imitate Mounet- Sully if he would, and Mounet-Sully would not imitate Law- rence Barrett if he could. Mr. Barrett is very much in earnest. He would/have suited the late Carlyle in every respect and the Chelsea sage would most certainly have called him “An American heroic Actor of exceeding Sincerity.” Lawrence Barrett is infinitely more enamored of his profession than is Edwin Booth. There is nothing slovenly about his representation; he endeavors to emphasize each point which he considers telling, and he is less self-conscious than nine out of ten of the modern “ stars.” He works so hard that he succeeds by dint of his own un- tiring energy, and his conscientious efforts win him enthusi- astic applause. Mr. Barrett's supporting company is somewhat inadequate. Miss Gale ranks foremost, though her scream is somewhat suggestive of the friction of sandstones. In fact, after Mar- garet Mather and Amy Roselle of the Adelphi Theatre, London, no one can produce a screamier scream than Miss Gale. Mr. F. C. Mosley as Don Car/os is without color. He stands up and says his lines like a school boy reciting “ The boy stood on the burning deck.” Mr. Collins as Don Leo Gomez shows a careful study of how to effectiveiy fling the mantel over the left shoulder. “Hernani” would be much more interesting to read than to see performed. Why is itthat we cannot have modern plays teaching modern lessons? I don't believe in those “good old times ” we are always having thrust at us. They were all very well in their way, but not worth a conspicuous recall. I am suspicious of those who depreciate the present day. Our own age is far more interesting to every-day people than by-gone centuries. Our ancestors were doubtless exceedingly happy, but their happiness had none of the modern conveniences. Mea have thought in every age, the age however grand, That milken streams, an age before, flowed gently thro’ the land. Alan Dale. OVERS of music will hear with pleasure of the grand testimonial concert to be given to Miss Emma C. Thursby at the Metropolitan Opera House the twenty-third of this month. It will be one of the events of the season, and the hosts of admirers of this exquisite singer will leave little doubt as to the brilliancy of the occasion. HOW TO INSURE YOUR LIFE FOR ONE YEAR—Send us $5. Patron: \T 18 ALL VERY GOOD, $200 1S SATISFACTORY AND THE LIKENESS 1S EXCELLENT, BY THE WAY, WHAT IS IT MADE WITH ? Artist ; CHARCOAL. Patron: CHarcoaL! WHY WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU MAKE YOUR CHEAP PICTURES WITH ? comicbooks.com