The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-16
THE RECITAL
Williams Delights a
Good-sized Audience.
BEAUTIES OF SHAKESPEARE
The Wonderful Flexibility Of the
Human Voice Exhibited by
This Master.

A fair-slzed audience gathered at the
opera house last night to hear the ac-
codmplished Shakespearlan reader, Mr..
Hannlbll A. Williams. Seldom Is II the
lot of ordinary man to hear such an
artist and probably few Who attended
the entertainment last night for the ben
eft OF the library dreamed OF the rich
treat that was in Store for them.
MIR Williams was introduced to the
audience by DR.. Bishop, in few ana
wen chosen words. and from the moment
he began his recital until the close OF
the fifth and Gast act, he held the rapt
attention OF the lowers of Shakespeare,
the master.
Success in monologue comes to but few
men, for not only must the entertainer
have a large share of personal magnetism.
but he must Of necessity be a clever read
er and an inteG1lgent and sympathetic
e1ocutlonlst. Mr.. Wlnlialns last evening
achieved very gratifying success In this
difficult task, and trlumphed more by ap-
pea,Ing to the intelligence than the SEN
sIbilities of his audience. Aided Though
he was by the admiration born OF his
marvellous feat of memory, In dispensing
absolutely with THE manuscript more or
less referred to by other famous readers,
his success wals merTted, for he recitee
without otap-trap, noise or rant OF any
kind. His metIhod is natural and manner
refined 1t was a very delightful reading
"by heart" Of the difficult play of Henry
~ by gentleman who has evidently
made loving study of Its spirit and mean
ing, as wen ais a wonderful mastery of
its text. Beyond the Just intonations
and modurations of spesch he appears un-
aided ito the intellect, the ease and quiet
elegance OF his manner. being unmarried
by effort at pevsonation, and strife for
evolutionary effect being deftly concealed
in THE stimulation OF naturalness which
Thorough culture gives. a4
An entertainment so exquisite in the
enjoyment that Ut affords, 50 elevating
and ennobiing in the influence that 1t
wieEdIs, is rarely within the possibilities
OF any community, and Mr.. Williams has
secured himself in the most admiring
estimation of Astorla's most curtivated
public. Hannibal A. Williams is a unique
and notable figure; as an interpreter OF
Shakespeare he has no rival. his powers
being more Remarkably evidenced than
those of the actor, in THAT he darrles out
the whole play In his own person, repre-
sentlng each character In turn with a
graphic fidelity that is little short OF
marvellous
In King Henry ~ his work showed
crItlcal discrimination as to the cnadac-
ters In the drama. The King, the two
Henrys were well done but the prsssnta-
tion of Shakespeares masterpiece OF gem
luls i'm wit, humnor and controversial skin,
In the person OF Sir John Failsthff. was
not to be surpassed. One could see the
oGd Hackett In the character, but he
might have taken lessons from Williams
Never before co1id one 50 thoroughly APP
preclate the sclntlllating wit, spaGau,ing
humor and ever present philosophy OF
the Old knight as in the rendition of the
character last night by Mr.. WihihHns.
The beauty and grandeur of Shakespeare
stood forth as a clear-cut cameo. The
sayings and doings Of mis- creations were
before the hearer as II present In the
verltabce flesh and Blood and one for
got the reader In wondering what the
King or his son would say next. The
recital was an edutatfon OF the most
t1bsrhn charhclser TO elAe student ana
lover Of EngCdkh and to miss nearing
Hannibal WilIlams' Interpretation OF the
mlalster of the Engeis1 language, IS to
miss half Of one's life.
The following copy OF letter received
from Whitman Coileg yesterday speaks
for Itself.
WaEa WaiIa, Wash, Oct. u, 1896.
So rare treat has seldom been enjoyed
by the students and fredends Of Whitman
College as the presentation OF the pay
OF Henry W." by Mr.. Hannibal VIII
hams. In tihe comprehensive grasp Of
striking features I'm the plot. in the de-
glneation and analysis Of the characters,
in the vivid exhibition OF diverse motives
and traits of the personages, especially in
sustaining the character of the immortal
Fa1staff. the work was MASTERPIECES, and
wiil do much to foster am appreciation of
the great dramatist among our students.
It Is therefore with the greatest pleasure
that bear testimony 10 the pleasure and
profit to us OF Mr.. Williams visit.
w. d. LYMAN.