Rarely has any actor met with an ovation such as was accorded to Sir Henry Irving, when last Saturday, after an interval. of rather more than two months (caused as. will be remembered by an. accident which: happened during the first night's performance), he again appeared before an immense and enthusiastic audience in the character. of Richard TH. Several minutes -elaped before he was allowed to speak a word, so deafening was the applause. It is well-known that this Shakespearean revival has been a labour of love with this great actor—for years he has desired to show the world his conception of this great part. It is easy therefore to imagine. the sorrow with which he. had temporarily to relinquish it after only one performance, and the joy.with which he took it again on Saturday. All this the audience.felt—and showed that they felt—in the ovation
been the gainers by the enforce yonethey gave him. Tf anything the public have ment; for, the knowledge that Sir Henry gained that first night of the public appreciation of his efforts has enabled him, to become a still greater master of the part, and, extra rehearsals have shown small weaknesses that have been remedied, the result being that on Saturday the whole performance wont with a smoothness and perfection rarely seen on any stage. So great has been the success, that the performance of Madame Sans-Gene has been indefinitely postponed, thus giving Miss Ellen Terry a Fest she sally needed." If all goes well T expect we shall not see her at any rate till Easter, when we shall hope to find her fully restored to health.
Sth March,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.