The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07
REAL DRAMATIC EVENT
WALKER WUITESIDE IN SHAkS-
PEAREAN ROLES THIS WEEK.
"superba" WIZ Amuse the Children
at English's-POpuIar Bills at the
Park and Empire.

The announcement that Walker White
side the youngest but already spoken of
by many as the best exponent of Shaks-
pearean tragedy that the past decade has
given to the American stage, will appear
at the Grand Opera House the latter part
of the week should be gratifying news 10
the i,vers of legitimate drama. The una
nimity with which the critics have COM
mended Mr.. Whiteside's work must be ac-
cepted as founded on conviction. No
Shakspearean player since the days when
Edwin Booth was in the zenith of his
fame has been accorded more unstinted
praise. Those who have seen and studied
Mr.. WhitesiSes work find in him all the
qualifications of the ideal Prince of Den
mark. So young as TO be almost youth
full, he gives to the character of Hamlet
the years that seem best to accord with
the poets fancy. He is thoughtful beyond
his years. and his face and eyes have the
fine intellectual expressiveness which ac-
cords so we'll with the prince to whom
philosophy was ali instinct. and whose soul
had delved deep into the unsoived spiritual
mysteries of life. Endowed by nature with
a voice of marvel Us fexibility, the modu-
lated softness of his readings in the quiet
passages of the text seem TO accentuate the
ringing intonaticn with which the sublime
ly passionate lines are rendered.
Mr.. Whiteside is evidently not one-part
player. however While fitted by nature to
be the ideal Hamlet. he is credited with
giving to evsiy role he essays a character
and freshness hat indelibly stamp him
finished and conscientious actor. His Rich
elieu is said to be without a peer. and Iago
Is spoken of as uDrivaled and his Shylock
Is declared 10 be in many respects a new
creation. His appearance here will be an
intellectual treat and will undoubtedly re-
ceive the attention IL deserves.
In the unanimity of commentator which
. the press of other cities has bestowed on
Walker Whiteside there is one feature that
is especially worthy of note. Without ex-
ception the critics agree that Mr.. White
side not only meets expectation but ex-
ceeds it. Whiteside is now a man of about
thirty. rich in physical and intellectual life.
He has courted Shakspearean drama since
he was fifteen. A half dozen years he
gave TO studying the great bard with the
same earnestness perhaps, that Edison de-
voted to his scientific researches. White
side has weathered many years devotion
To De declared almost the only living Amer
lean player of tragic promise.
Associated with Mr.. Whiteside the en-
suing season are Miss Leila Wolstan, Miss
Lucia Moore, Josephine Morse, Charles D.
Herman. Edwin Tanner. Herbert Pattee
Egbere w. Fowler and William c. Carlin
Although Walker Whiteside. the tragedian
is opposed to the subordination of dramatic
art 10 the craft of the scene painter and
stage machinist. the Shakspearean produc-
ton of which he is the central figure is
noted for its adequate scenic environment
and its fidelity TO historical details.
The following is the repertoire announced
for the engagement: Thursday night, THE
Merchant OF Venice" Friday night, Rich
elieu; Saturday matinee, Hamlet" Sat-
urday night. "Othello,' with Mr.. White
side as Iago.