The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-06
MU &c AND DRAMA.
KEENE as HAMLET.


KEFNE AS HAMLET.
The play selected for Mr.. Keene's ap-
pearance at the Crawford Grand opera
house on next Wednesday evening, Is
Shakespeare's masterpiece, viewed
from a strong and scholarly setand-
point. There are as many Hamlets as
there have been men 10 ilnperSonaTe
them, and all the distinguished actors
Of the world have been seen in IT. II is
thea nb5tion of the highest. Keene's
Hamlet IS said TO have been thes tudy
Of his life, and we may well believe e..
The cha racser is so singularly kalieio-
scop:c-so full of conhScting memre-
ssrns of speech and action. that no two
critics agree exactly upon Hamlet's
sanity. This diversity of opinion IS
shared by artists, and the results seems
10 be that the stage being the dramatic
school, has left the public mind CROP
ing in the dark. Keene is Original IN
all he does, and clear in his methods Of
doing IT. He seems content TO rely up
on his authors language, rather than
TO create doubt by evolutionary quib-
bles. Hamlet, in the first act after
seeing the ghost, distinctly informs
HoTatio that he may IAN ante dEspo-
sition put on" clearly in'timating that
u- iii S4IfluEdils d IldIHcSS, DS NLl-&u
better opportunities may be command
ed 10 verify the grewsome of his fathers
taking off, His scenes with Opheaia.
and with his mother, give no indication
of insanity nor does his conflict with
Lae1ftos az he grave. or with his bearing
in the final tragic action A confirmed
mela:ncholia certainly possesses him,
but in mis- discourse with his one near
and dear friend, Horatio, there is no
evidence of an unsound mentality Mr..
Keene clearly conveys this, and in his
fmpersona ton we find an enjoyable and
instructive lesson. Mr.. Keene's COM
pany. many of the legitimate artists Of
experience. Are 10 be seen ait their
best in this tragedy. The piece will be
we'll staged, and opportunity furnished
for an evening fclassic enjoyment.
UNCLE JOSH SPRUCEBY.
Realism is construed with real life in
the attraction that Will be presented at
the Crawford Grand Saturday night
The saw mill scene is almost too reals
tic, as one actor has lost hand that
was taken off by it. The Lincoln Gail
OF Nov. 10. speaks as follows: The I'm
Gle Josh SprIrcefby company played 10 a
large house alt he Lancing theatre last
evening. Indeed, when the company
with its excellent band, entered the city
in tine morning il caught the people with
its !Soul-starring music and during the
entire day Uncle JOSH was the rnik of
the town. The evening parade was the
most catching advertisements we have
yet observed, and altogether a novel
method OF interesting the people In the
merits of Uncle Josh. which is anotheg.
pBSture of New Eengland farm life with
much more comedy and interesting spe-
81 utfac S- ,r-;-, ea.l IT.,
Homestead The best evidence of the
pleasing merit of the play was seen in
the frequent and hearty applause, and
the boys, girls and grown people VIII
not soon forget the delightful evening
spertt with Uncle Josh. His peculiar
Yankee eiocentr5aJties. his philosophy
in all his troubles, his abundant good
nature and rollbcking fun will give IN
Gle Josh a we'll deserved place in tine
he,actcs of all who go to see him. The
realistic saw mill scene and the husk-
ing bee in wthiich special scenery Is used
was especially fine. The company is
good.
DON'T FORGET WATERSON.
Henry V~r er7-o-,'s lecture ~ CO.
field hall Dec. II will be a great event
and J. X predicted nCw UE.at .le nl.II
Will be entirely too small TO accommo-
Tribune speaking abou: him
says: a great audience gathered ait the
srr7 tOrilrn lnvt rd~ht and a warm wei
come was extended Henry Waferson,
eL-4.CC' and Oldl1r. when he appeared
up7n the stage at $50 O'Clock. II was
fully five minutes before the cheering
subsidized 50 that he could proceed
He was evidently pleased III the re-
ception ne received, and. after courly
he stood patiently
waiting for the enthusiasm To cease. !
Mr.. Warerson needed no Introduction /
He was bowed upon the stage by a
member Of the Union League club. and +
mis- familiar features were recognized ,
by a thunder of applause.
AS soon as the cheering subsidized /
he launched forth in his eulogy Of Abra- .
ham Lincoln. Mr.. Waterson knew the I
martyred president, and in glowing .
woris he tod his personal recollections /
Z thu great war president. Many Of .
his "reminiscences were OF 2 touching
character. and they found a responsive +
1hord in the hearts OF the thousands Of
absorbed listeners Other passages
burned with oraico-y and were bright
x1lh vivid coloring until the audience
vas carried away with enuhu sra SIN Mr..
SYateTyaon spoke for upward Of an hour
Ind half, and held the audience en-
by the magic OF his eloQuence
rom first 10 last