While the decline of physical strength is painfully apparent in
many of' Mr. Parren's impersonations, there is a class of characters in which he can turn that very decline to good account That class is one of the numerous sections of M. Bouffe's extended sphere of action, and comprises curious exhibitions of the last stage. of senility, in which nearly every fa- culty is extinct but a sort of childish cunning. Le Pere 7'urlututu is .a stock piece in &mite's repertoire, answering to this description ; and hence the principal cliaraeter,id transferred without difficulty to Mr. Far- rell, who, as far as the English stage is concerned, is inimitable in deli- neating an old gentleman with just enough memory to set aside a wrong- ful title and retain the impression of an early benefit, and just enough animation to rejoiee at his own triumphs. Considered in any other light but as a means of displaying Mr. Fturen's unique talent, the -version of le Nre Trerluerreu which has been produced this week at the Olympic. under the title of The Oldest Inhabitant is but a flimsy affair.
Previous page
