Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-21
MR. hANfoRp.s SUCCESS.

for stellar recognition the vehicle
which nc uses settles 10 Z great extent
the standard by winch ne is To be meas
ured. III new ne suffers less by CON-
parison st least; If old he has every
thing 10 contend with. particularly If IL
be Shakespeare. for usually when he
attempts the roles IN which the great
est actors OF tho past have been fam
Gus ne - condemned ia advance for
daring TO tread the PATHS OF the favor
ites-
There are no actors nowadays like
those OF the past" what pity we
have no one TO succeed Garrick. kean,
| klmbail." Such was the lament OF the
admirers of these great men. A little
later on it WAS the came with the friends
of Forrest, Mscready, Cooke, and ltoday
We often hear "What pity We have no
one 10 succeed Booth, Barrett, Irving.
Mccullough" So it is in ali sges and
In all pi DECISIONS. but time always An
swers the question and each age has its
prophet.
The production of "Julius Cesar" in
Powers opera house last night was 4
thorough proof that what mas been
dine can DO done again, and moreover
that il can he done we'll. That this was
the Case no one who was present IN the
opera house will deny, and that IL
| showed that for . while 1T least the
hope of the American stage Is not in
| jeopardy and that there are 1t least
three young men now before the pub
lie of whom the future can have great
hope. Charles Hanford, E. K. Spencer
and Bennett Matlsck.
The first of these appeared % Marc
Antony last night as tho stellar at
traction in a most excellent cast OF
Shakespeare's great play 'Julius
| Cesar" and it is not too much
to say he gave the strongest rendition
of the role ever seen on the local stage.
Mr.. Hantord has frequently been seen
here IN other parts, upon which occs-
sions he made himself favorably known
as an actor of much intelligence. mag
netlsm and power. Particularly was
this the case during his visit here last
year with Miss Julia Marlowe, but ali
his previous efforts sink into insignifi-
canoe in comparison with this his latest
triumph. With fine presence, q clear
| and we'll modulated voice. keen IN.
tsiiigence, showing deep and exhaust
i've study OF his role, Mr.. HanfOrd sunk
his own identity for the time and seem
ed indeed to be the great rator himself.
| HIS handling of the mob was subtle
and thoroughly effective. HIS logical
| analysis was correct, his elocuti n per-
feet. and his gestures appropriate and
| graceful. He was called before the
curtain at the end Of each of the princi.
pal acts.
E. r. Spencer appeared as Cas-
sius, and gave powerful interpreta-
ton of the part. He has a strong
resonant voice and is particularly well
suited to the part IN point of physique.
His greatest strength lies in his thor
ough earnestness. He never for q
moment drops the character. His Cas-
sius is unquestiOnably the best seen
since that of the late Lawrence Barrett.
Bennett Matlack as "the noblest
Roman of them ALL" was as he should
be, quiet, firm, dignified and philos-
optical. The quarrel scene was made
most effective by the excellent contrast
between his Brutus and Mr.. Spencer
CassIus. He justIfies his line to Cas-
Hue "You are yOked with q lamb that
carries anger as the flint bears fire,
which much enforced shows . hasty
spark and straight is cold again." Mr..
Matlack has . handsome presence and
fine face we'll suited to Brutus.
f. n. Hoyt was dignified and impress
sive as Cesar, making the most Of his
limited opportunities. OF the other
members OF the company Mr.. Temple
az Trebonius, and Mr.. Hoffman as Ser.
vius, deserve more than word of en-.
couragsment, both being young mel
of promise. Mr.. Smith as Octayius
and Mr.. Saturn as Pindarus, are also
worthy of mention.
Mrs. Charles Hanford as Portia was
natural, dignified and impressive.
Her exqu!.i.ely rendered appeal tc
share the secret of her husband. Bru-
tus, WAS among the most intense and
artistic features Of the performance.
Her readings of the few lines allotted
her is simple and natural and above
all, intelligent, and. indeed. the read
ing of the entire company is natural
and far above the average. Miss Fan.
ME Hoyts Calphurnia was an earnest
and praiseworthy piece of work, and
Miss Annie Winter made the most o.
Lucius. She will be seen to better ad.
vantage rs Parthenia in Ingomar a.
the matinee today.
The scenery was on scale of magnif.
icence seldom seen in the smaller
cities. The Forum, the Senate, the
garden of Brutus and the plains OF
Pniliippi were each works of art and
appeared TO excellent advantage on
the large stage of Powers. The cos
TUNES were rich and correct, and tsker
as whole the entertainment js one
that should receive the liberal patron
age of all lovers of the dramatic art in
its highest form. Julius Cesar will bs
repeated tonight and at the matins,
today Ingomar will be given, in which
Mr.. Hanford made such an excellent
impression here with Miss Marlowe las
season.
To take an unusual liberty, the read
ers of 1HE HERALD who delight TO ses
and hear the correct interpretation o
shagespearan tragedy, are assured
that Mr.. Hsnford aud his company
provide IT on q ecsle of uneousliec
dramatic power and finish, Get 10 fault
less scenery.
One OF the dramatic events of th.
season viii be toe first appearance II
this city Of the gifted and versatil.
young actress. Miss Katherine Roher
IN "a Heroine in Rags" in the Crane
opera house Sunday night and all Of
next week. Miss Rober is supported
by An excellent company. and the pIa,
il produced with orignsl scenery and
properties.
ALLEGED TO sc FUNNY.
The wolf and ths lamb lle down to
gether, but il - always the wolf tha'
Il ! =. 4 4