The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-08
AT THE THEATERS.

"a little more than kin and less than
kind" ''The rest is silence" Between these
two speeches-the first and last that Hamlet
uttered-lies world Of poetry and philosophy,
zone entire and perfect chrysolite Of sub
lime mentality. An eminent Shakespearean
scholar has we'll said that Hamlet is the his
tory Of a mans mind. A monologue rather
than tragedy Of action, a creation for the
student rather than the playgoer seeking en-
tertainment at the theater, nevertheless its
potent charm casts spell over all brought
within its mystic atmosphere. Even the blase
theatergoer, who has ceased to attend perform
ances Of Hamlet, remembers the time when
he yielded to the influence of the immortal
work, if he had the good fortune to see the
central figure interpreted by an actor who
breathed the spirit of the great poets creation
Thus 1t is that the assumption of this role
by any player capable of giving it a reason
ably acceptable portrayal is always fraught
with more than passing interest.
So the appearance of Walker Whiteside in
the character of the melancholy Dane at the
Metropolitan opera house last night is an
event that all lovers of the histrionic art feel
an interest in, whether they admire the
players Interpretation disapprove of it,
1t is doubtful if any actor of good parts
adapted of course, to the serious Shake
spearean roles, can absolutely fail in Hamlet
Hamlet is so many sided and his moods SO
varying, that the character affords the broad
est scope for the revelation of traits of human
nature The player who might fail to impart
to the passionate speeches the true ring
might deliver the reflective soliloquies with
classic finish or conduct the quiet colloouies
in natural and spontaneous manner.
There is much to commend in Mr.. White
sides Hamlet. Like the actor, 1t has ap-
parently grown, since he appeared here in
the role some four years ago. There is less
of the elocutionist and more Of the actor in
Mr.. Whiteside, than was observed upon his
?previous visit Further progress in the
same direction should be his watchword. for
at times the elocutionist still overshadows
the actor Mr.. Whiteside is an excellent
reader His emphasis, the result of inteIli-
gent thought, is effective and nearly always
correct An occasional oversight was notice
able, however, and in such cases the point of
a speech would be lost. The dissatisfying
quality of Mr.. Whiteside's Prince of Den
mark is lack of the manly dignity.
combined with the interpretive spirit, that
SO distinguishes Hamlet and sets him apart
from ordinary men. 1t is a fault Of person
atty, rather than a lack of sympathy with
or understanding of the character. Mr..
Whiteside's physique places limitations upon
him, which can scarcely be overcome or eff
faced. One is ever conscious of this His is
graceful figure though, and every action is
easy and responsive to the sentiment or emo
ton OF the moment. His gestures are ex-
pressive to degree, and his countenance
mobile, though the features can scarcely be
recognized as those of an ideal Hamlet,
Mr.. Whiteside excelled in the delivery NJ
the soliloquies and In the closet scene The
latter was marred by the introduction of in
cidental music by the orchestra, which eff
foat oil oh A.
most objectionable sacrilege The ..To be
or not to be- soliloquy would have proved
far more effective If spoken from a point
nearer the footlights. In the colloquy with
Polonius, Mr.. Whiteside glided over some of
the subtler points, reading the short speeches
in a hard and too matter-of-fact style His
scene with the ghost was more effective
than that Of the recent Hamlets witnessed
here. And in this connection it should he
said that Charles Herman's delivery Of the
ghosts lines far surpassed that of the players
who essayed this role with Alexander Salyipi
and Otis Skinner. Mr.. Whiteside was not
impressive enough in the graveyard scene, and
rather sighted the "Alas, poor Yorick"
speech and those Immediately following His
death scene was effective. Throughout the
play, Mr.. Whiteside demonstrated his orig
inality in introducing commendabIe bits of
business indicating that he is not slave to
tradition IN trfning details. CHANGING at his
fathers picture, as Hamlet exclaims, s.What
a piece Of work Is man. seemed entirely
natural, even If 1t was not necessary An
undoubted charm of Mr.. Whiteside's Hamlet
is it's youth.
| The supporting company is uneven. Charles
Herman, who played the king as well as the
ghost, acquitted himself most creditably. ex-
cellent actor that he Is. The Laertes of Her
bert Pattee was likewise commendable i'm
personation. ]. L. Saphore was satisfactory
as the first grayedigger but his Polonius was
far from pleasing.
| Tonight Mr.. Whiteside will present his
| superb production of Merchant of Venice"
'The Girl / Left Behind Me" drew SEQ
| ond large audience at the Grand opera house
last evening. A double Interest was at
tached to the OCCASION as a large number of
| Odd Fellows were present, as tonight and
| tomorrow night have been designated as a.
benefit occasion for the general relief com
mittee of this order. Tomorrow at 2:3O a
popular priced matinee will be given.
Anna Eva Fay opened at Conoyer hall last
night to a crowded house. She will continue
| throughout the week.
POWER FROM MINNEAPOLIS