The record-union., 1896-01-31
ADJUSTMENTS.

AM OSEmEN Id,
A large and appreciative audience
greeted Louis James last evening at
the Metropolitan Theater. After the
second act of Hamlet" he received a
warm, earnest but not turbulent recall,
and after the third act the curtain was
thrice sent up in response to the ap-
pIause of the audience. There will be
many opinions, widely differing, ex-
pressed concerning Mr.. James Ham
let" but on one point there will be
unanimity, namely, that Mr.. James is a
pains stalking, conscientious and ambi-
tious artist. He creates the impression
that he makes no effort to present a
theory concerning the play and the in
tention of the great bard; that he pre-
sented the text and gave the action
faithfully, as he conceived naturally.
leaving to the auditor the whole matter
of judgment as to the purpose and
thought of Shakespeare. This careful
avoidance of intention to give color to
any theory of his own was constantly
conspicuous The reading was clear,
distinct and not a syllable was lost.
There was deliberation without slow
ness, and vigor without extravaganza.
His Hamlet is a flesh and blood one,
dignified, impressive and yet fired by
natural passion and deep feeling It
was not traditional creation, but a
distinct personation along natural lines,
intellectually and emotionally near to
the physical and mental ideal. It bore
the stamp Of earnest thought, of re-
fined consideration and artistic concep-
Of
ie not brilliant it was consumnate art
nevertheless. An informing spirit al
ways gives value to physical conditions,
and the latter being all in Mr.. James
favor he gave gratifying evidence OF
the former. Whether in degree this is
level with the highest ideal is to be
doubted. Booths Hamlet will remain
the standard to which all actors must
look UP and the very few, if any in our
day, attain. But in this all must agree
that if not subtle, Mr. James, Hamlet
was an understanding conception; ii
not vivid, it was distinct and graceful
expression; if not the ideal, it was an
exhibition of fine taste and discriminat-
ing judgment.
Mr. Lindsley's Laertes and Mr.. KEN
per's Horatio, left little to be desired,
while MIR. Langdon's Polonius was
rare and fine example of the good old
school of art, which the emotional, ex-
travagant and sensational methods Of
the stage of to-day have not wholly
crowded off. Miss Kruger's Ophelia
was weak in the earlier acts to the de-
gree of disappointment, but in the mad
scenes she recovered the confidence of
the audience and gave an example of
fine art, and proved that she possesses
attributes above those of the common
order. The James management was
deeply mortified that the scenery for
Hamlet" of which it has an elaborate
stock, did not arrive, having been
shipped from Los Angeles by water.
and in some way delayed en- route. 1t
was, therefore, necessary to makeshift
as best could be done with other sets
for. other plays and with such local
stock as the Metropolitan possesses.
Perhaps, however, the fact that Mr.
James and his company achieved sue
cess so far that the audience willingly
forgot that the historical aids in stage
setting were not present, is a special
tribute to the troupe. Assuredly, the
plenitude and sincerity of the applause
given warrants this Judgment For the
other plays it is understood the COM
pany is fully equipped with the neces-
sary scenic and stage fittings, as all it's
goods not now here will arrive to-day.
We shall expect tonight a notable
Macbeth" Mr. James ought to make
almost the ideal Thane. He has all
physical attributes on his side and the
play gives him full liberty to use all the
vigor with which he is equipped. We
should say, too, that his "style''-in lieu
of a better tern-wiIl admirably fit into
a good personation of Macbeth. By
many commentators and critics this
play is classed as among the specially
foremost of all of Shakespeare's works,
as more human than Hamlet, more real
than Lear, more philosophic than either
of the Henrys, and more deeply dram
attic than King John. None Of the plays
of Shakespeare have been handed down
in so complete a state, and none of them
in any folio bear so many Of the evil
dences of his detail work.
At the Clunie Opera-house this even
ing the Hallett Stock Company will
repeat Mrs. Francis clever and roman
tic play, Fern. the Wait"
Ine MONDAY Night OfcneSIra, assisted
by the Concerto Club, will give a con-
cert at the Congregational Church this
evening. A choice programme has been
prepared for the occasion.
Football on saturday.
Admirers of the game of football viii
have an opportunity on Saturday. at
2.30 o'clock. TO witness game at Agri-
cultural Park between the High School |