The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-07
AT THE THEATERs.

lAst nighI, appearing In the role OF Richard
III.
The impersonation OF any OF Shakespeare's
immortal characters by an actor OF the ca
pacity and intelligence OF Mr. Skinner is
dramatic event worthy OF more than passing
notice, especially as 1t is Mr.. SINNERS first
presentation OF the character before ST.
Paul audience. To define the quality Of Mr.
SINNERS portrayal OF the crooked Richard"
In single word might not do him justice
To say that his performance was great would
be to overpraise 1t, while to declare it merely
acceptable would be to damn it with faint
praise. To generalize it may be said that
1t was satisfying in the main, strong in
certain portions to the point OF Intensity, yet
lacking in other scenes the weight and force
that mere physical qualifications and DEM
onstrations can never supply. The portrayal
OF Richard that will picture the malicious
monarch in all his colors, exhibiting his pro
digious talents, his cunning and his hypocrisy
In the clearest light can only be presented by
the actor after repeated representations of the
character, accompanied, of course by intel
ligent study.
That Mr. Skinner has given the role dis
corning thought and study it is gratifying
to observe. His conception of the intellectual
supremacy of this usurper is plainly and
convincingly apparent. Mr. Skinner also re-
veals in an unlnistakable manner that to
Richard, friend and foe were all Indifferent
where his advantage grew. AS one Of the
English chroniclers tersely said of Richard:
He spared no mans death whose life with
stood his purpose"
There is another trait of Richards charac-
ter which Mr.. Skinner portrayed effectively
Gloster puts himself in the attitude of one
who is playing part. This characteristic
gives the actor a wide scope, inasmuch as
naroa
indeed, the experience of the tragedians who
have attained distinction in this role is that
the more melodramatic and STACEY" their
performance, the greater favor it meets with
from the public. It must be said in conuec-
tlon With Mr. Skinner that he maintained a.
creditable restraint from Indulgence in tenn
pestuous rant, in view of the strong tempta-
ton afforded by the version of Richard III
used by him.
That version is practically Cibbers medley
or Shakespeare's tragedy Of King Richard Ill.,
1t is, OF course, inferior to the poets histori-
cal drama, though doubtless simpler and more
melodramatic after a fashion The omission
OF the dramatic scene in which GIoster ac-
| cuses Hastings Of high treason and orders
his instant execution is much to be regretted.
Or the famous scenes in the tragedy, Mr.
Skinner was especially good in the wooing of
Lady Anne, and in the throne room scene.
In which, as King Richard, he turns off his
eo-conspirator, Buckingham, with the ex-
clamation, I'm not in the giving vein -
His acting attained the greatest power in
his stimulation of horror upon awakening from
his dream in the tent. This was unquestion-
ably Mr.. SINNERS most effective stroke His
colloquy with Elizabeth was also marked with
a grim, sardonic flavor most appropriate to
the occasion.
70 ho cJJra u;hio
Skinner did not deliver with the full sig
nifcance and effect that belong to them.
put this is matter of elaboration which the
actor Will eventually add to his impersona-
uon Mr. Skinner is gifted with resonant
voice OF considerable strength, and an in
cisive enunciation which renders him agree
ably distinct His style Is somewhat sug-
gestiye Of the romantic, rather than the
tragic, which is largely due to his physique.
He has excellent command over his features,
which are mobile and expressive.
Mr.. SINNERS company appeared to ex-
cellent advantage in certain instances Fred
erick Mosley, meritorious actor of varied
| experience, contributed manly vigorous,
clean-cut impersonation of Richmond, and
Frank l.. Sylvester is to be commended for
his spontaneous and unaffected performance
of the role of Buckingham. Praise is also
due Sarah Truax for the natural and sym
pathetic quality Of her portrayal Of Queen
Elizabeth. Miss Maud Durbins impersonation
of Lady Anne was excellent. VA
Tonight Hamlet
Clown Topics musical tumble, with not
enough of plot for Howells novel, but with
the action of Populist convention and
enough Of fun for a bound volume of Puck,
was the attraction at the Grand last evening.
1t packed the theater to Its capacity, and was
warmly received. The production makes no
pretense to coherency, and so need not be
considered seriously. 1t aims to amuse, and
it must be admitted that while it probably
would not be awarded any medals at the
Academy of Arts and Letters, it possesses an
abundance of fun, some of it questionable
and all Of it broad, but in the main clean and
bright.
The scene is the conventional boarding house
of farce-comedy, and the types are not new,
but the action is not hackneyed and the lines
are really clever. The burden of the fun
making devolves on Phil OFT, William Mack,
John Queen, Joseph Harrington, William
Keller and James Tenbrooke, with the OPP
pertunities and the honors about evenly di-
vided. Their roles, ranging from tramp
up through the various types of farce-comedy
the Dutch comedian, the impecunieus young
man, the negro servant, the dude and the
jay 1armsr--are tangled into medley of sit
uations elastic enough to admit OF all sorts
of specialties and yet all contributing to
the fun.
The third act, the best Of the piece, is
little more than a vaudeville entertainment
Harrington and OFT have clever speciality,
and the others of the company are given
ample chance to amuse. One of the musical
numbers, topical song with a refrain that
runs largely to "Alone, deserves special
mention. Cleyerness will excuse a good deal.
and it is undoubtedly clever, but one of the
verses borders closely ON the limit permit
ted in reputable theaters. Not even the an
plause it earns can atone for its cheap vul-
garity.
The women OF the company. headed by
Miss Beatrice Norman who does a good
but not particularly new, speciality with Mr.
Tenbrooke, and Miss Bennett, who adds con-
siderably to the life of the performance, are
quite up to the average of musical farces
Town Topics on the whole, is a min
Cling Of bright and catchy musical numbers,
fairly well rendered; clever dancing; good new
lines and rapid succession of fun. While
the cestuming is not pretentiously elaborate
1t is prettily dressed. 1t will be repeated
during the week at the Grand. with matt
nees Tuesday and Saturday, the Wednesday
matinee having been abandoned
''Charley's Aunt" will be the attraction at
the Grand next week.