Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-20
ADJUSTMENTS.
The Grand.

night to hear Mr.. Wilson Barrett's yer-
sion of Hamlet. There is divided opin-
ion as to whetherit is to any appreciable
extent new version, but there is no di-
vision of sentiment as to its being a
quite artistic and meritorious rendition.
OF late years the great "Hamlets" have
been William E. Davenport, Edwin
Booth and Fechter. Does Mr.. Wilson
Barrett rank with these great actors in
this most eXigent role? We are in
clined to think that the answer should
be in the affirmative.
Mr.. Barrett aims to make the insanity
of Hamlet" a thing of very thin We
neering. But there is certainly nothing
specially new in that, as the lines them
selves show that Shakespeare aimed to
make the insanity a mere convenient
disguise, and "Hamlet'' repeatedly
throws it off. The conception of repre-
senting Hamlet" as very young man
is not enough to individualize dram
attic rendition, because all the circum-
stances indicate that he was youth or
a man in the first flush of manhood. In
addition, Mr.. Barrett in person and
makeup suggests very mature Ham
let" so that not much can be claimed
for the theory of new version on that
ground.
We are inclined to think that Mr..
Barrett's "Hamlet" resembles that of
Fechter more than that of any of the
others named. 1t is decidedly of the ro-
mantle school, as opposed to the classic
ism of Davenport and Booth. 1t has
many merits, and those of high order.
1t would be hard to conceive of a more
intense and vivid impersonation. within
those lines of fcontainment which the true
histrionic artist always observes, than
that to which he treated his audience
last night. His graces of person are re-
inforced by voice of great compass,
feXibility and sorority. Without ever
approaching the line of rant, he can
make his organ vibrate with the energy
of the notes of a trumpet, and his
mobile face affords all ranges of express
sion. In the even passages of play the
auditor would not expect the really
electrical bursts OF passion which fire.
quently dignity Mr.. Barrett's acting, and
which afford an exquisite qualification
to his audience. That he completely
captured his hearers last night was
shown by his being repeatedly called be-
fore the curtain. There was an evident
purpose to force him to make a speech,
and he resisted it until the curtain was
rung down on the last act, when he
made few remarks expressive of his
thanks at the cordial reception which
had been given to his version of Hamlet
and made the statement that it repre-
sented twenty years of study.
Miss Eastlake made capital Ophelia
and shared largely in the triumph of the
Ctnp Na h, I
in ou1 recognition of the very substan-
tial merits of this artistic, and it was
certainly unfortunate that she was in
Cldudidn, where she figured in char
acter not adapted for calling out her
really very superior qualifications. Her
"Ophelia'' had many striking and
original points, and she acquitted her
self in the mad scene with consummate
judgment and feeling. She was de-
servedly applauded.
Mr.. George Barrett made irst-class
grave digger and improved our estimate
of his comic capabilities very materially.
The play was we'll mounted, was very
smoothly interpreted throughout, and |
will linger pleasantly in the memory of
Angelenos as an artistic, complete and
intelligent presentation of one of Shaks-
peare's masterpieces. /
The Sil,er King holds the boards to-
night.
"a Pair of Jacks"
The latest of farce-comedies, 4 Pair Of |
Jacks, begins a weeks engagement at
the Grand opera house next Monday.
Like other comedies of a similar charac-
ter, it has the usual song, dance and
speciality parts, but it is promised that
A Pair of Jacks will be distinguished for
freshness, novelty and originality in
these features. A number of superior
voices will fulfil some of these parts, |
notably those of Julia p. Witmark and !
Marie Knowles. Messrs. R. G. Knowles
and w. j. Russell will represent the two
Jacks" and introduce incidental spe-
cialties. Others of merit in the cast are
Sol Aiken, John P. Savage and Ernest
Sinclair. A number of pretty girls add
interest. Among them are Julia Aiken,
Mollie Thompson, Nina Hayward, Alice
Greene, Winifred Johnson and Margery
Thompson. The sketch is the work of
H. Grattan Donnelly, and will be seen
during the week with the usual matinee
Monday, June 23d, the benefit of Man
ager H. G. Wyatt comes off.
Illinois Hall.
The last but one this season of the
Illinois Association socials will be given
this evening in Illinois hall. Among
the musical attractions provided for the
occasion are vocal selections by Miss
Bertha Penning and other well-known
singers, flute solos by Professor j. L.
Skinner, piano solos by Miss Nellie
Walton, harmonica and harp music by
Emmet Peak and Bob Waukowsky, cor
net solos by Mr.. G. E. Dodge, and in
strumental selections by other mu-
sicians. Also, the reading OF original
sketches, entitled, Thoughts That l
Have Thunk," by Ralph f. Hoyt, and
club swinging by Andy Barber.