The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-27

who were ever happy TO anticipate their every
wish. we thoroughly despise In their bsseness.s
The climax in Lear must be set In the secon6
scene of the third act. when out upon the dis
NAL heath with the fool. he sails upon the ele-
ments to rage, etc. Had he stepped upon the
stage and given this passage alone he would
be entitled to the appellation OF prince
of Shakesperian resders Add 70 tate
his varied accomplishments, such - close
study of English life and the customs OF those
times, the art of giving the lines expresses only
a portion of the intense interest We have en-
joyed. The last meeting between Lear and
Cordelia, where her lifeless body 10 brought into
his presence from the scafold, was far too affect.
ing to permit of description. We can but AZ
from the heights he Joy he led us down into tho
very vale of sorrow. Reason had made one last
effort to re- assert itself: the king recognised his
desolate situation, only to fall back into tho
darkness and gloom of idiocy. How can man
portray the whole list of passions pose as an
artist of every class, cover all with such grace
without himself losing his reason7
with Mr.. Richardson presenting King Iears
we are swayed by each passing mood, his joys
and sorrows are ours. and we curse the fateS
and curse the men that should pluck the eyes OF
harmless knight to crafty the spleen o.
coward. or kin a lady. lest she Involve great
England in some turmoil. Thus we are broughe
TO understand and admire the artistic complete
ness OF his King Lear. On the following Mons
day evening Mr. Richardson gave Twelfth
Night" accorded place beside "As You iAko
It," conceded the finest effort Of that gifted
bard in comedy. Mr.. Richardson in tragedy
ever appears the master, always lesder, In
comedy he delights in mirth. overflow
ing with spirits. quite irrepressible5
brim full of life, tansalizingly funny.
From these he turns to show US the tendercso
and most lovable characteristics Of w0mankind.
In that first interview between Viola and Oliv1a
he was exceedingly happy. In descriptions OF
no 9yVaa inf NJ
sesses wonderful insight OF q refined naturcs
cultivated TASTE and amiable disposition, ha
could but express his high appreciation or
woman In that delightful interview where
Olivia says. Your lord does know my mind;
cannot love him." etc. No wonder the lovely
Viola, masquerading in male attire, should 20
fully understand her meaning. It would BE-
quite unkind 70 claim that Mr.. Richardsow
acquired his skill-in such scenes, aione--oR
even with men; he must have enjoyed to .
liberal degree the pleasures OF the more refining
aud elevatng influence of women. The play ID
rightly named, and IL such events could culmi>
nate so quickly, year would bear record Oh
love plighted and blighted between many =
Valentine and Olivia and not q few lords ana
beautiful Vlolas.
On Tuesday evening Mr.. Richardson gave
Dickens "a Christmas Carol As, however,
this is not intended as a review of his engage
ment here, we win pass IL by and speak OF our
impressions OF his 0thello, given Wednesday,
evening. It is not strange that the character OF
Othello should enjoy such popularity. Nearly
every community contains one or more PERSONS
who wcnld Ike to play Othello, whether upon
or Off the stage, yet shakspeare's 0thello Is NOT
that one. Many q student has devoted both
time and money to solve the mystery
surrounding the Moor. In the person Of Iagof
are all the elements counted necessary to make
accomplished villain. The narrative given
az the beginning tells US of the situation. 70
would seem that the most important character
in the play. from Mr.. Richardson's standpoint,
was Iago-the prime mover of the business. and
canning beyond measure. His craftiness il
portrayed in great power; he seems to live only
to execute the inbred malice of his nature, re-
joicing at last at his triumphs, only to fall dead
by the hand OF Othello. We hasten on TO th8
scene where Othello tells Desdemona that 8ha
must die, that he intends to kill her. tells her Ia
say her prayers etc. This was the srandest and
most artistic work Of the evening. At last, too
.ate 0thello finds what sad work has been done,
him as tender plant In storm Passion 50 re-
bellious with Lawrence Barrett In these lines,
does not show in Mr. Richardson. He sees what
his own hand has done and appears o subdued,
powerless man in sorrow so deep, 80 overwhel~
ming. that words are but hollow mockery.
Here comes striking similarity with Edwin
Booths Interpretation of 0thello which should
stand as the finest model ever given
Were q comparison made of the merits OF such
gentlemen 1t must fall 10 others. We would
emily say in conclusion that Edwin Booth, a. =
tragedian, is not in the field Of literature with
Locke Richardson, nor educator OF tho
people In the works OF William Shakespeare.
w. RI