Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-27
WARpe AND JAMES.
Julius Cmsar" Finely Played Last
Night Before Large Audience.

Frederick warde and Louis james pro-
duced Julius Caesar " at the Iheatre ihst
night. A magnificent audience greeted
them. When the curtain rose every seat
in the house was filed. from the orchestra
rail 10 the topmost gallery. The orchestra
was blaze of color. for though the earl
ness Of the season forbade evening dresses
there were many brilliant demi-toilets
and flowers were delightfully."- ABUNDANT.
The classic play to be presented hau at
tracted many who are seldom seen OF the
atrical exhibitions, and, indeed. more
cultured and refined audience has rarely
assembled in a Richmond playhouse.
The expectation Of pleasure winch
doubtless was present in every mlnd was
fully realized. for the performance was IN
many ways remarkable; and II may not DO
out of place 10 say that it will rank with
any presentation Of julius Caesar ever
witnessed outside Of New York. This
play is Internationally one of the most
moral and intellectual of Shakespeare
works: its lines are noble and lofty, IT'S
theme is the, triumph OF unselbsD
patriotism over personal ambition, and
not once does il descend from the sublime
to the ridiculous. For this reason 1t has
not been a popular" play. although one
of the greatest of English dramas.
Mr.. Warde was the Marc Anthony-an
admirable selection, for the character OF
the florid impetuOus Roman demagogue
gave him ample play for his vehement I'M
pulsIyeness. He received the ovation that
the people of this city annually accord
him. His every utterance was marked by
more or less applause, and his declama,
tons were received with great bursts OF
enthusiasm. After the third act the Eng
lsb actor was forced to respond four times
60 curtain call, and finally responded
with one of those happy little speeches
that are characteristic OF him.
Mr. James was given the great part OF
the play-that Of Brutus-a and he appeared
TO greater advantage than in any roe of
his that can now be recalled. He gave to
the character the caimness, the dignity,
the nobility that made 1t meet that the
victorious Anthony should exclaim, " This
was the nohlest Roman of them all !" He
displayed in the closing scenes of the
drama a wonderful amount of reserve
force, and in the scene at Sardis impressed
the audience with his power and tragic
intensity. At the conclusion Of the act
he was given an ovation equal TO that eX-
tended 10 Mr.. Warde, and after respond
ing to four curtain-calls was compelled to
give the audience his thanks IA briet
speech.
The Cassius was Mr. Herman, fine old
actor and a worthy peer Of either James
or Warde. The violent, choleric Italian,
so firm in bis friendships, so determined
in his hates, had an able deiineator in this
strong actor. The interview between
Brutus and Cassius at Sardis was an ex-
ceptionally fine scene, and was without
question the best thing in the production.
Indeed it would be difficult to conceive Of
a better presentation Of the entire fifth
act.
Dir. Turner. Mr.. Kyle, and the other
Of the company rendered adml-
Table support to the principals. and the
effect OF the play was much intensified by
the beautiful stage settings.
Tonight the beautiful romantic play
" The Lions Mouth will be presented.
Mr.. Wurde made deep impression here
last year in the character of Rinaldo,
which he plays tonight. Mr.. James will
assume tho strong character Of Fra Angelo,
which is said to be one Of mis- best parts.