The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-24
AnfonY and CIeonafra.

Last evening Mr.. George Riddle gave the
second in his course of readings at Rossini Hall
to an audience that made up in enthusiasm
what it lacked in numbers. What Mr.. Riddle 8
powers may be when exhibited in large hall
we cannot say, but it is certain that they ap-
pear to special advantage in room of the ca
| pacity of that in which he appeared last night
Antony and Cleopatra is one of Shakespere's
dramas with which the public are less familiar
than with the majority of those of his plays
generally affected by readers. 1t was therefore
with rather more than customary interest that
last evenings audience listened to Mr. Riddles
Interpretation. While there were passages where
we should frequently take issue with the gen.
tleman's conception and reading, we concede to
him much dramatic fire, beauty of style, and, at
times, deep pathos. AS an illustration of the
difference in con ception, we will take Enobar-
bus's description of Mark Antony's meeting
with Cleopatra on the Cydrus. Euobarbus, as
we take it, was an old rough and tried soldier,
disguised with the pomp and glitter with which
the vouptuous queen surrounded herself, but
more with the fact that his master, the great
conqueror, was bound in her silken letters, and
while he was ready to admit that age could not
wither or custom stale her infinite variety in
contrast with other women, yet in describing
her triumphal sail there was tinge of sarcasm
that ran through the description. While Mr.
Riddle gave graphic picture he seemed to
hold to the idea that Enobarbus had no fault to
find with the splendor with which Cleopatra
advanced to capture Antony.
In delineating the character OF the Egyptian
queen, Mr. Riddle vas particularly happy in
those scenes where grief and passion were por
trayed. 10 the second act, where the messen-
ger is announced bringing the news of Antony's
marriage to Oc:avia, the esgerness of Cleopatra
to hear good tidings, the impatience with which
she interrupted the respectful, even servile,
speech of the envoy, the uncomfortable anger
she exhibited when she learned the truth, and
at last the joy with which she heard what sort
of person Octavia was, and showered gold on
her informant, not only showed careful study
of the character but command of voice and
power of expression highly praiseworthy. In
depicting majesty Mr.. Riddle was not so hap
py, but again in the dying scene there was a
tenderness and pathos displayed that was
like the last cadences of some sweet song.
10 portraying Antony the reader was at his
best in describing the anger of the great chief
tain when his jealousy was arOused-as IN the
scene where Cleopatra permits Caesars mes
senger to kiss her hand-and in delineatng
Antony's mingled emotions at the supposed
desertion of Cleopatra, her presumed death,
aud the disgrace that probably awaits himself;
aud perhaps the finest scene of all, in its con-
trasts, was that between the wounded, dying
chieftain and the Egyptian queen; he, serious,
manly, earnest, seeking finally to save Cleo
patra by advising her to 60 to Caesar, his words
full of quiet, impressive pathos, while Cleo
patra was almost childish in her vain repin-
ings.
Tonight Mr.. Riddle will read the beautiful
fairy poem, midsummer Nights Dream"