Telegram-herald., 1890-04-20
BOOTH -MODJESKA
ADMIRED BIZ 4 GREAT AUDIENCE
nr. Booth Acting with His Wosssd
Grace and yixoF-Ceming The
I've sisters aad '+ons
81 sac brssest.S

every available space at Powers Grand
last evening, and enthusiastically ex-
pressed its admiration for the presence
OF the greatest actor who speaks the En-
glisa language, was just such tribute
as Is extended in every city where Ed
win Booth appears. If possible there
Was more eordlality, more sincerity and
sympathy IN the hearuness OF the
greeting which was extended hum as
be came forth upon the stage
IN MS "suit Of solemn black"
That his welcome should have been
cordial was expected, for while the
actor shows no abatement of strength
IN the use of those gifts with which he
has charmed and infatuated his coun-
trymen for more than quarter OF
century, yet it IS known that. he is now
nearing the evening tide of bis life, and
It Is doubtful whether he Will VISIT
again the smaller cities of the CONT
nent. All of Western Michigan was
represented in the great audience, aud
all joined IN halllng Edwin Booth
Hamlet prince of Denmark.
lt is doubtful if any actor has ever
trod the boards, who could approach
the Hamlet we saw last night. The
most profound students, analysts,
philosophers and Shakespearian special
lists have seen it and pondered over and
over again, and have been baffied IN
criticism and have admitted that il is
the ideal-that is a perfect
Interpretation of the thought,
and design of the wonder
full man who created the character
The Hamlet of Booth, too, must put TO
an end the unwarranted, il seems, con-
troyersy that has existed among the
students as TO whether Hamlet was
sane or not. The very text seems to
contradict any assumption that he was
mad. What could be any clearer as
to the purpose of Hamlet,s character,
more definite, as TO his design, than his
address to Horatio and Marcellus when
he says:
"How strange or odd soe'er bear myself
As perchance hereafter shall think meet
To put an antic disposition on
That you. al such times seeing me. never shall.
With arms encountered thus: or this head shake
Or by pronOuncing OF some doubtful phrase.
As ell. well. We know"-or. we could aud
Or. III we list to sDeak"-or. There be an If
they might
Or such ambiguous living out TO note
That you know aught Of me-ths not TO do.
SO grace aud mercy At your most need help
you. swear.
Here is the intention to feign mad
ness, distinctly declared. To this re-
solution has he been impelled, by the
fact that his fathers spirits in arms.
This is the key note of Mr.. Booths
Hamlet. How consistently, mastery
and we'll defined this idea prevails
throughout the impersonation need
not be dwelt upon. 1t need not be de-
scrlhed nor analysed, for it is not with
in the province of the critic at this late
day in the career of the great and dis
tinguished artist, to point out with far
fetched discrimination the qualities of
this masterful impersonation. Incl
ligent theater-goers would oppose even
suggestion that you'd in any way
lessen or disturb what they have for
wears Tevered as an ideal. AS Religion
has been 10 the world for centuries, thus
Hamlet has been to the American
theater-goers for thirty years or more,
you can not dispute IL successfully,
YOU must not tear it down-fOr you
can not Improve it nor can you offer
anything better TO take its place. Let
II hive as il will, in the memory OF this
generation, and il will be perpetuatcd
in the ages TO come and viii be held in
reverence, as today we admire and
respect the genius OF Betterton, Garrlck,
and of the immortal bard himself.
The Ophella Of Nine. Modjeska full
filled expectations in the fullest sense.
In her hands the character is lovable,
delicate and dainty. The characterize
ton IS imbued with the individu duality OF
the brilliant artist. 1t is delicious
portrait in SINK, speare's gallery of
woman. This OphelIa was full OF
blood, life, childish simplicity and IN
nocence-yet deeply sensitive, and yet
moved by emotion, affection and love.
What could be more delicately ex-
pressed than her sorrow when
her father cautions her not TO
rel too familiar with Hamlet.
How meekly submissive was she TO iilial
command, though IN glvlng obediance
her heart was crushed-yct not her
confidence or admiration for Hamlet.
1t required the most dcft art 10 illume
those conflicting emotions and how de-
Eghtfully AOdJeska depicted them.
The pining. the unconsolable grief grad
ually grew upon her until It exploded IN
the mad scene, where all were moved TO
pity by her sweetness and tenderness.
This was m Ophels the like of which
we sha dot see for many q day and
q fittnS companion picture TO the
prince y Dane of Booth. The support
IS n very way worthy the distinguish
ed artists. Cbas. Heniord made the
King notable figure, and read the
lines with 4 Sc elton and intelligence.
Rarely u q lart entrusted 20 a capa-
bic actor, am Mr.. Hanford eievates 70
10 the Iml tance and dignity
the role demands. Otis skin
ner was the Horstio and good
old Ben ROpgers was PolOnius and one
too it would be hard 70 improve upon.
Owen Fawcett, one of the few born
coined aus who always acts well his
parts was a merry and kusvish grave
4 gger. The event = over and the
memory Of nights grand perform
snce vii hnger long N the city b. the
valley.
The Two Sisters" PLAY which is
true - lfe, was written hv De1nan
Thompson and treO. Rver. II was g1ven
here last season snd warmly endorsed
BY the local press. It vii sgain be pre-
ssnted At Powers next TUESDAY and
Neduesiay vIth matinee on Nednes-
day lhe plot of the play "Ihe Two
Sssters. : as srn2le as thst q "Ihe
Old Homestead" bat amply e9nsl 10
The ask u nrholdinz ueighfT popular
fsvcr- The Success u a niav 81 tbs
sad dos not depend uno1 .ts drama
fsc s1rrrises, It's rnetapav cai stud -.
nr even rne rhetorical e ~nts q Its