The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-18
WARDE AND JAMES.
Splendid Performance of Shaks-
peare'S Julius Caesar"
LARGEST AUDIENCE ON RECORD.
Unequsled Presentation Of the Master
piece-Artistic Acting and Match.
less Scenery.

The largest audience ever contributed
by Seattle to theatrical performance last
night greeted the splendid performance
of Julius Caesar" by Frederick Warde
and Louis James. Not only was it an
exceptionally fashionable audience. it " as
critical, appreciative and enthusiastic.
Sixteen hundred tickets were sold, and two
hours before the curtain went up the an
nouncement standing room only" seemed
only to form an attraction, for over 400
people passed in and took their
chances. The management would not per-
nit chairs in the aisles, but at every corner
where they could be crowded IN they were
pressed into service. Men stood several
feet deep in the foyer, sat on the stairs and
knelt at the outer edges of the seats, re-
tanning their uncomfortable positions until
the end.
AS the play proceeded, the magnificent
scenery. the cleverly handled grouping.
the superb dresses were all in turn
acknowledged. but as each telling
scene was given the audience ap-
plauded again and again. at the
close OF the ski:lful harangue of the
Roman mob, Frederick Warde was
called before the curtain three times.
The last time he advanced to
the footlights and acknowledged
the cordial appreciation in heartily SYM
pathetic terms, He expressed the graft
tication of himself and company at the
warmth of their greeting and the
stimulus such an audience gave to
actors to fittingly present the master
pieces of the legitimate drama. 1t was
the largest and most densely packed audi
ence they have had on their tour, and they
heartily thanked Seattle for its generous
appreciation.
The performance deserved all that was
expressed by the applause. From first to
last it was display of the most artistic
comprehension of Shakspeare's virile play.
and to the minutest detail, effects were
carefully studied. The play is
too we'll known to need recital. The sue
cession Of dramatic climaxes were power
fully sustained, and the tine distinctions
in the several characters marked with in
telligence and graded emphasis.
The death scene where the powerful
Roman falls was thrilling and entirely
free from brutality. TWAS picture of the
passions of men and not murder. At
the close of the scene. when Cassius, re-
turning, makes dash at Marcus Antonias.
the body of the dead Caesar gave
fully equal to it. Bringing out all
the cunning skill of the master
of men, his acting made the audience be-
hind the footlights part Of the gathering
about the forum. OF no less in
whose dramatic force was accentuated
by cleverly arranged apparition of the
murdered Caesar to the morbidIy excited
Brutus. Of the acting of Warde.
of James, of Kyle, and of
Charles d. Herman, terms of the
most unstinted praise may be employed:
and although the part of Portia is small
one. it was delightfully."- presented by Miss
Louise Macintosh.
The play is lavishly mounted. scenery,
accoutremerts and. dresses. all arousing
the heartiest commentator. In many
respects they were finer than
has ever been seen in Seattle, and
the stage management was without flaw.
Altogether it was such performance, in
such a setting, IS could not be excelled in
the largest city in the United States, and
will long be remembered as one of the
great theatrical events of the city.
Today, at the matinee. Romeo and
Jnliet" will be given. with Warde as Ro-
meo and James as Mercutio. The COM
pany will close an altogether too short
engagement with " The Lions
Mouth" presented with the full
strength of the company. The press
notices describe it as drama
of powerful features. and there can be no
doubt that the promises held out will be
faithfully kent.