New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-16
MODJESKA As QUEEN KATHARINE IN
IlENRN VIII

In the acting Of Nine. ModJcska there are many
qualities that charm the fancy and sati,fy the IN
stinct OF taste. The predominant charm, perhaps
blending Of intellectual character with tender grace
In physical force this actress has often been sur
passed but It should not therefore. be- Inferred that
she is weak. Few players Of ouT tim" hnv" cvinccd q
personality distinct, purpose 80 inhcXiblc. a
capacity OF Identification with great emotions rrso
Lutte and intense.
The beautiful personal characteristic, Of Mmc Mod
icska-the refined features the dark dream Hike eyes
the soft and gentle voice. aud the fine mann,r-aic Il
close and clear dcnOtcment Of delicate Organization
but the character that animate, her beauty j. as oton.
rs steel. For the assumption of Queen Katharine
therefore, she IS especially qualified stcadfl,t, ia
domitabc resolution and mOurnful majesty being The
chief attributes OF that part In her prcscntmcnt 81
its imperial pcct there would naturally l." traces OF
effort. The supcrativc grandeur and dignity with
which shake pcarc has invested Queen Katharine IN
the Trial Scene possible 10 the commanding
figure and the passionate intensity Of Charlotte Cu,h
man, who seemed rather u descend upon that situa
ton than to mount to IT, The personality Of Nine
Modicska, more harmonious with lovclincss than with
nu hoTlty, is less potent here, but asserts itself with
most OF effect I'm the scenes that follow the Queen
disgrace. the death she j. essentially royal and
nObleprcscnting the Image OF pure, majestic woman
uttcring, with all the cloIucncc Of unconscious grief
piteous protest against thu cruelty not alone Of
In this element her performance ranks with the best
that have been recorded.
The revival Of Henry WILL" rs accomplished at
the Garden Theatre, Is commended to the public re-
spcct and appreciation not only by the loneliness OF
Nine Mod H. Queen Katharine, but by a truthful
fOrclblc and brilliant portrayal II King Henry VIII bv
Mr.. otis Skinner. Henry. in this play. IS II man only
thirty years Old and Mr.. skinner denotes his scholar
like care and fine Intelligence 10y prescribing the grace
ful and accomplished and still youthful King instead
OF copying the gr,ly elderly image OF the IIOben pjr
trait. conscientious proscntmcnt VI WOley f. given
by Mr.. John Lane. The eloquent words Of the Duke OF
ngham-a murdcrOus traitor. In fact, but almost
Il saint In Sakcspcarc's pngcs-are earnestly and
touchngly spoken by Mr.. Beaumont Smith. Nine.
Modjcska ha, based her promptbook Of Henry VIII
upon Mr.. Roc's edition OF the play which is one Of
the best editiOn3 cXnt. The piece exhibits NOR" of
suffering than Of action, and II was never popular
favOrtc. 10 scholars the study Of l. Interesting for
many reasOnsthe alleged participation Of John Fletcher
in its authorship being not the least Of them. For
many years 1t has been practically disucd upon the
stage. Charlotte Cushman, Mrs. Waller. Edwin Booth
Lawrence Barrett and John Mccullough frequent Is
acted In ii, in other days. The magnificent production
Of II made last season III the London Lyccum by Henry
irving has probably been Instrumental IN setting IL
once anoat upon the shining tide publicity, and
various kaharin,-s and WOl,cyS no doubt at hand
ways, her footsteps attended with interest and
admiration.