Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1893-03-30

on Square theater.
eene may not be the equal Of Ed
bh, but Booth Is no longer on the
forrest, Barrett, Davenport and
ugh may have all been better &C.
9 they are dead. Henry Irving,
5 Salvini and Rossi may be Keene's
8, but they do not live in the Unit.
fore if comparisons are to be made
iously unfair to criticise Keene be.
De- methods and his work are alleged
ferior to those of some other actors
: either dead or visit this country at
tervals, If at all. Relative estimates
sort are usually absurd and always
es, for there is no way by which their
hess or incorrectness may be proved.
owever, but fair that Keene should
Spared with the contemporary actors
erica who essay the same line OF
Dality Keene is the only really well
tragedian In this country who sticks
STRICTLY legitimate. Frederick Warde
iouis James, excellent actors, are
ing as joint stars. They have both
regulations in straight tragedy, but
ave depressed a trif1e and are said to
king great deal of money with the
ID Henry Guy Carleton's two excel
blays, "Memnon" and 1.-THE Lions
!" the former of which is declared by
veil known critics to be the equal Of
ing heavy written since Shakespeare
n There are other younger tragedians,
hese three men easily outrank them
Experience and demonstrated ability.
ert Downing may perhaps be con.
q a tragedian, but his success-and
ban be no reasonable doubt that he
IN successful-has been in a great
Re due to the spectacular and popu.
ure Of his productions, Of which the
st favorite, by long odds, was 1.-THE
etor." Alexander Salvini may posi-.
q great tragedian. He is q young
of remarkable ability and attractive
hality, but he very sensibly devotes
of his time to the romantic drama,
ring such types as 1.-THE Three
1smen," Don Cesar de Bazan" and
hild Of Naples"
Nill thus be seen that Keene is the only
our actors with a general reputation
has stuck, single handed. 20 tragedy,
Fhile such praise may not be q partic-
N great compliment at the present
when tragedy is probably at the low
BIB that 1t has ever reached on the
kican stage, I must admit that Keene,
h opinion, easily overtops his compel
He is conscientious to a degree; his
option Of part is always artistic, II
ptimes at variance with the popular
he is beautiful reader, powerful and
five In climax defamation, and he can
} the stage gracefully or hold 1t alone
out firing his audience.
has been asserted that Mr.. Keene is in
ply theatric. This was true to q very
extent few years ago, but time has
thy mellowed his methods, and in some
ects affected his work injuriously, I
k. Mr.. Keene's robustness and appar-
sincerity have always constituted his
test charm to me, and in parts where
natural inclination is allowed to have
scope and where the result is appropri-
his superior Is hard to find anywhere.
lard III is such part, and at the risk
Tending the coterie of New York dra
lc critics must take exception to their
most cases. fippant or absurd comment
r. Keene's production Of Richard III. -
as worthy Of extended notice, and his
< deserved unstinted praise.
is not fair because Mr.. Booth is the
gnized head Of the dramatic profession
Imer1ca to set his methods up as the
lterable standard and accept no other
man on the stage Is SO thoroughly sat
ed with nannerisms as Henry Irving
yet when he comes over here some O.
e same critics who sneer at Keene and
ct to patronize him almost as though
yere beginner fairly slobber oyer tn
'lishman. entirely oblivious Of the fac
IL not 80 AneA Isy!sg's elslits 90 or