The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-09
AT THE THEATERS.

Thomas W. Keene began weeks engage
nent at the metropolitan opera house last
night appearing in the role with which he
mas been identified for many years, Richard
Ill Mr.. Keene's Improvisation of the
cro0K-back Richard is so familiar to the pub
TIC that an extensive description or analysis
OF the portrayal is not called for. The people
seem to think that the role is peculiarly Mr..
kee1e's, and far as Mr.. Keene's contem-
poraFles on the American stage are con-
ceTned his is true. But in all justice to
Mr. heene himself, it should be said that
Richard Is not his best role. Those of last
nights audience who may witness his Richie
Leu and his Louis XII, which are both in
Guided in this weeks repertoire, will at once
realize the superiority Of his delineat;on
of these two characters
AS matter of fact no actor can play Rich
and to the best advantage who enlploys Co!,av
Clbber's version of Shakespeare's historical
tragedy. 1t may be doubted, indeed, whether
the tragedy as Shakespeare wrote it retains
the popularity 1t once owned. That popular
lty was net at all surprising Intellectual
vlilalny in SO vivid a form had never been
SHOWN on the stage. AS an able English
reviewer has aptIy put it, Richard III as
drawn by the young dramat:st. is a perzonsoe
absolutely unique-at cnce a prince, q tyrant
warrior. hypocrite, a conspirator. a
loFeG q cynlc, sardonic wit, with immense
force of mind and character lying behind all
ne GOES. But the luster Of these brilliant
qualities has been dimmcd by ColIev C:bber
who reduced a noble tragedy to the level Of
rlelodrama.
While Mr.. Keene'ss Richard. as already
pointed out. is we'll known to the public in
It's general outline, one notable change was
apparent in the treatment Of the character
III the earlier scenes, and in fact throughout
the play until the last act. Mr. Keene has
toned down the picture. disposition to
rant, for. which the CibDer version il nart1v
responsible, used to mar Mr.. Keene's Dor
trayal. That disposition was not in evidence
last night. Indeed Mr.. Keene occasionally
lapsed into tones so subdued that anv b11t an
attent ear would have lost the words. Mr..
keene possesses a voice of subtle tone, finely
modulated, flexible and resonant in the lower
register, but, distinct and incsive as his enun-
cation is fer the most part, he INDUCES a
peculiar habit in this one role of occasionally
running two or three words together without
missing syllable apparently, but with such
rapidly as to render them indistinct Mr.
Keene at his best last night in Gloster's
colleagues with Queen Elizabeth, and his
mother, the Duchess of York, in the scene
in which, under the guise of pious self-abne-
cation, he at first refuses to accept the
throne, and in the scene between Richard
and Buckingham, in which the treachorous
king spurns Buckingham with his I'm not in
the giving vein" Mr.. keene read Richards
satirical soliloquy on Conscience" with
subtle and effective emphasis.
An efficient company rendered admirable
support Charles B. Hanford's Richmond was
a truly vigorous and martial portrayal Mr.
Hanford is a convincing actor of direct and
forcible methods, and entirely free from
affectation. Much that is commendatory
might also be said Of the Buckingham of
Lawrence Lowell. 1t a spirited perform
ance, intelligently conceived and effectively
executed. 1t was marred only by Mr.. LowelTs
delivery of BuckinghaTn's final speech which
betrayed a tendency to rant. Otherwise this
actor exhibited artistic restraint. His enun-
citation is excellent.
Mary Timbermann invested the role of
Queen Elizabeth with dignity and feeling.
and Mrs. S. A. Baker fulfilled the true con
ception Of the venerable Duchess of York
Lady Anne was acceptably unprecedented by
Marie Drofnah. and Grace Hopkins por-
trayed the young Prince OF Wales with an
intelligence and sympathetic spirit seldom
bestowed upon this character. The young
lady is gifted with a musical voice. The
minor roles were handled unusually we'll.
Tonight "Othello'' with MIR. Keene in the
title role and Mr.. Hanford as Iago
'Shaft No @" with its scenes Of thrilling
interest and it's electrical effects, drew a
large audience to the Grand opera house again
last evening. ID