SIR HENRY IRVING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5731, 28 October 1905, Page 9

SIR HENRY IRVING.

A CRITICAL APPRECIATION. Irving will rest near Garrick and in Ii Lm Uio theatrical world lia., lost now almost the last of the old order of players better known to the preceding Kcneralion than to the present. Ills day knew not the subtleties of tho Problem L’lu.v. [U-eii unci Sudcrmann with their menm ami (IciueriU weio not of his time, ihc pi eductions with which he wasassociate! dealt with aspects of humanity moro .yimplo ami more universal than those treated by the modern playwright. Though it is tho province of the stage to present, all phases of life perhaps in taal simplicity there was a depth, in ihat universality of appeal there was a grandeur, which is not to bo found in elaborate expositions of intricate social ami sexual questions of to-day. The enthusiasm which always marked tho welcome Irving received from playgoers of ail ages had rise, rather in a .-case of gratitude for what, beyond question, he hius done for the stage, than in any appreciation of his art indeed by modern criteria. Stage craft, the technique of mounting a play, owes more to him than t> any actor of tho past century. England and America will mourn tho los 3 of a personality familiar to them for so many years. Irving had a cult of his own and its followers, worshipping him, condoned his mannerisms, regardless of their frequent detractions, from his art. A stranger, on a first impression, was amused rather than inspired, more especially if that first impression were acquired from a performance such as his Mathias in “The Bella." Tho great actor was familiar to many through the medium of the mimic before they had seen tho original and, accordingly, that first entry of Mathias, in which Irving was so over emphatically Irving, seemed but another grotesque caricature. Yot before the end of the second act tho stranger, with the rest, was held spellbound. Two of hie creations are sufficient to mark him as the premier actor of his time and will leave on the. mitcdb of those who wore privileged to see him an indelible impression. In character study nothing has surpassed his Corporal Gregory Brewster in “Waterloo,” and his Louis XI. Who can forget tho pathos of that picture of the old soldier, the straggler, waiting the call for tho last muster. Irving’s highest genius was seen in tho changin'* phases ofthatetudv. The childish quorulousness of tho old man giving place to the return of tho soldiers spirit at the sound of the fife and drum, or the sight’of his colonel, and tho end, tho call, comes in a vision of battle.

"Louie XI.” showed, as has recently been shown in this city in another work bearing a regal title, now the masterly conception of one central character con lift an inferior play to the plane of a classic production. The burden foil on Irving in tho title role and memory vividly retains certain scenes. The fiendish outbursts of anger against bis rivals; the senile familiarities with his favour!ties; the momentary pause of Louis in his plot of murder, while, he reverently crosses himself at the chime of tho vesper bell and mutters prayers to the images upon his cap. Most vivid of all is the recollection of the death scene. The frail form of the tyrant seems to sink, oppressed by tbe weight of royal crown and robes, while the spirit, malevolent to tho last, will not resign the Sovereignty. There can be no more pleasing recollection of Irving than the memory of the old man, visibly worn at the end of a trying performance, corning before tho curtain to respond to overwhelming calls for a speech. Ho did not speak on the slightest call as seems the custom of some less distinguished men. On© wearily romemberd the simpering smile of a well, known society actor who appears to have imbibed from a fellow countryman the philosophy of clothes, but not the doctrine of silence; or again the alacrity with which a certain one was wont to return from tho lions to tne footlights, and there, folding his arms over a Praefect's toga, disburden himself of laudatory personal reminiscences. Irving had nought in common with those. The old man would come forward with his kindly, self-effacing smile to say a few words with a gracious courtesy not wholly of this day; to thank an audience on behalf of Miss Terry and himself for the reception they had given to one who styled himself "their loyal and humble servant.” Such a last memory tho writer has of Sir Henry Irving. Vale in aeternum valo! -COSMO A. RALSTON.