The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-09-04
MILN.

Nnen Min quit the pulpit Tor the
footlights the novelty of the departure
gained him more notoriety than the
excellence of his acting has since won
him reputation Before making his de-
but those who predicted his success made
fancy lead him to the same histrionic
plane on which Booth stood. Such lofty
expectations could end in nothing but
disappointment and Min suffered by
comparison with master when he might
have won praise if his presumption soar
ed less high.
THERE is danger in Hamlet for an
actor whose judgment is not proof against
the fascination of defamation and the
rant of tempestuous passion. The
plaudits of the grouEdlings are won by
words full of "sound and fury, signifying
nothing" and an appetite for such in.
cense is fatal to the proper rendition of
this tragedy. Intensity of feeling and
a prevailing sorrow (which passeth show"
are the elements of character which give
Hamlet solitary prominence and make
him inapproachable to all who construe
depth of feeling into "words, nothing
but words" That Min copies after
Booth IN many things is evident; that he
could carry his imitation still farther aud
make better Hamlet goes without say
ing. Indeed it is almost proclamation to
compare the two men aud it may be ques-
toned if it ever has been seriously done.
When Min becomes less studious of the
tastes OF the audience and more inclined
to follow his own Interpretation his act
ing will gain in merit though be may be
less frequently called upon to bow his
acknowledgements for the applause called
forth by his misdirected energy of ex-
preston. Ga Monday night when he
gave soiloquy with denunciatory force
the majority of the crowd testified their
approval with such persistent reclamation
that he came before the curtain. The
manner of delivery was entirely incon-
sistent with the thought and in no way
appropriate in reference or connection.
But 1t was an elocutionary display, and
as such was arplauded. From this time
to the end he was often boisterous when
lie should be mild. furious when he
should be gentle and gave calm repre-
sentation into the keeping OF wordy up
roar, stacy extravaganza and exao gerated
gesticulation. His voice is lac iingin re-
sonance but not SO much from inherent
defect as from an affected information which
mars his delivery. There is no spontaneity
in his movements, no substance il his pas
sion. There is too much of the mechan-
ism of studied attitudes, too much that
is modern in antique dress. He is not
yet so much in love with Hamlet as with
Min and the melancholy Dane is made
subservient to the personality of the new
candidate for histrionic fame.
This much for an actor who aspires to
Shakesperian tragedy and to rivalry with
Edwin Booth. And still he is a fine
Hamlet for such place as Manitowoc.
He has many of the qualities of all actor
II ne would take his own intelligent dis
elimination as guide. At times he rises
to the hight of the great occasion" and
1t is manifest then that it is not an seci-
dent but a proper reading of the thought
emanatlng from correct Interpretation
OF the character. At times the husky,
ina:ticuiate quality of voice gives place
to ringing tones, the sense of the passage
is rendered faultlessly, the reading being
REINFORCED by manner SO much in
harmony with the thought as to he
almost expressive OF the idea without the
aid OF words. He has been a careful
and an intelligent student of SHAKESPEARE
and if he could escbew vanity would
make 81 actor second to Booth, McCuI-
Tough and Barrett. His form is hardly
fitted for tragedy and will become less so
as ago adds to his rotpndity of person.
HIS face is not devoid of intellectually.
but has not that severity Of expression
which gives edge to the expression of
lofty thoughts and is almost a sine oto
non IN the tragic dramatist. Indeed
there IS blending of sensuality in Minis
case which almost obscures the passive
intellectualism.
He was quite well supported, OpheIia
being represented uncommonIy well.
Take 1t all in all it was the best and most
educating performance Manitowoc has
ever had. II was the first performance
or tins troupe as at present constituted
and merited a more liberal patronage.