St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
Keene, the Tragedian, Accorded Flattering
Reception-Kate ClaXton.

Keene, the Tragedian, Accorded Flattering
ReceptiOn-Kate ClaxtOn.
In several notable respects the tragedy of
Richard III, as presented by Thomas W..
Keene and his company at the Grand last
night was the most satisfying performance
of the drama ever given in this city. The
audience was large, and attested its powers
! OF discrimination and appreciation by frequent
rounds of applause. The character of Clos
ter is conceded by eminent students to be
one OF the most difficult of portrayal in the
entire range Of Shakespeare's works. The
| conception of the tyrannical and
fendish crook-back is almost super
natural, indeed as it is with the
outward semblance of deformity and the in
ward hate and malice of devil. Mr.. Keene
presents an admirable portrait OF the crafty
and vindictive monarch. His makeup con-
forms to the idea of what the character must
have been, and his voice and physique are
suited to the savage disposition of the man.
His conception is evidently based on the
key-line of the character as uttered by Rich
ard himsely in che lines on ambition. This
and the love of power were his absorbing
passions, and it was natural, when
considered in this light, that he should have
crow" and call men as rogues." Added to
his strength of physique Mr.. Keene brings a
strong voice and great mobility of features,
his face being wonderfully expressive at
times. He was especially powerful and
effective last night in the scene with King
Henry. In this scene, after the murder of
the king, he cody wipes the blade of his
sword with his handkerchief and throws the
blood-soaked linen into his victims face
The expression of malice is demoniacal in
its fendiShness. The scene with Lady Ann
was dissembled with hideous hypocricy and
sinister glee almost frightful. The imper-
sonation was forceful and marked by dra-
matte vigor throughout, and showed marked
improvement as to methods when compared
to his performance of the same character a
few months ago.
The support was very clever indeed. Mr..
Carl Ahrenut was manly and forceful as
King Henry, and the Richmond of Mr.. P.
&. Hagar was admirable. Mr.. Moore i'm
personated the Duke OF Buckin CHAM
and he enacted the roll well. The invoca-
cation was especially well given and the
combat with Richard, in the last act, was
realistic. The roles Of Miss Maeder as the
Prince of Wales, Miss Hamblin as Queen
Elizabeth, Miss Lettie Allen as Lady Ann
and Mrs Baker as the Duchess were all
pleasing and marked by artistic finish.
A chief charm of the performance con-
sisted in the magnificent manner in which
the play was mounted. The accessories
were at once picturesque, spec
tacular and historically correct.
No finer pictorial effects, indeed, have ever
been produced on the st. Paul stage, and it
would be difficult to surpass the gorgeous
beauty of the throne scene or the tent set
| tings in the last act. The armoreal bearings,
tapestry, etc., were all perfect in character
and detail. and for once the sham battle by
the supernumeraries of which there are a
host, was given without being burlesqued:
The drama is well worth seeing and should
be seen to be appreciated.
The same drama tonight and tomorrow
evening, with ''Romeo and Juliet' for to-
morrow's matineeo
The sale of seats for the engagement of
Kate Claxton in "The Two Orphans and
1.-The Sea of Icc," opens at the Grand this
morning.