New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-17
l.. s. WILLARD AS HAMLET.

Boston, oct. Is )SpeciaD.-The first appearance OF
Mr.. Willard in Hamlet on any stage. at fremont
Theatre this evening. has been anticipated for
weeks by intelligent BOston's most critical theatre
goers as the most interesting dramatic incident
Of the season. for Mr. Willard has since his first
appearance in this city been favorite and the an
nouncement that he would play Hamlet brought
70 the box-office crowd Of people. The beautliuI
theatre was fun in every part. Mr.. Willards
version OF Hamlet is chiefly from the first folio
edition published by Shakespeares friends
Feminge and Condell in 1929. The changes made in
the recognized editions of Hamlet are not ex-
tremslv important and are chiefly interesting to
students OF the Bard of Avon who delight TO
bubble and split hairs over some seemingly obscure
passage or word. That line in which THE mobled
Queen occurs, in the first scene between Hamlet
Polonus and the players. Is read by Mr.. Willard
Much more important, Interesting and profitable
for consideration. however. are the departures OF
Mr.. Willard from some Of the traditions of Ham
let in staging the play. lie has, 50 far as
feasible abandoned the use OF several clumsy. con-
ven'ionsl front scores. for mstsnce; 'he hlng
prayer: 20. my offence Is rank II smells 10
heaven" is not given by Mr.. Willard as II usually
scene. behind which are noisy preparations for the
;iext set. but IL il spoken IN 'full get, thus
audience one Of the most beautiful passages of the
play. Mr.. Willard also blended several scenes re-
The final duel scene between Hamlet and Lacrtes,
Mt Willard uses dagger and ra;ier instead OF ions
MI NlIidiu coStunltN anu stab'' INV pay
f"ctvey. having evident care so iar AZ possible
Tor historical accuracy His first costume Is made
from peculiar kind of duh black cloth. resembling
ddndSk, only heavier, with raised nSure on the
surface Suspended from a tortose-sheH brOoch
al his waist was his dagger, and the fastcnings Of
mis- dress were large. dark rubies His lover Ell
remities were covered with black SILK tights and
long pointed shoes. The audience received Mr..
Willard and Miss Burroughs with the strong st
evidences Of favor Mr.. Willard acted like an over
worked man. His voice and his every movement
showed the tremendous load he has been carrying
Tor weeks. getting ready for production OF Ham
let ard carrying on his regular repertoire at the
same time. William r. Bryant. dramatic editor Of
The Journal will say Tomorrow morning:
Mr. Wizards performance OF Hamlet has not
added greatly to his reputation as an dctor. lie
read the lines iniciligenty. but he failed In sew
era places. many places, TO strike the true Key 1t
was commingling of the classics with the com
nioaplace II too suggestive Of the character
parts which Mr. Willard has long been identified
with. He seemed to be unable to disassociate hin-
self from Cyrus Blenkarn. either In voice, gesture
or spirit. In the more quiet. subdued passages ne
was at his best. notably In the scene with Opnena
also effective by the sudden transition from tone
OF endearment and the tender manner of the lover.
when he asks Ophelia as to the whereabouts or
her father. In some Of the best speeches Mr..
The soiloquy ITO be or not to be" fell
fat The actor seemed TO have lost that magnetic
power which has been so manifest in the plays
wherein he has been successful. He made Hamlet
much too old "a man. He looked every day OF
nifty. and the melancholy mood WAS much too
ocr1ty. Miss Burroughs made successful debut
in Ophelia. She created a favorable impression
especially effective. Her success was really the
which greeted her splendid exit just before the
drowning genuine and prolonged.