The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-10
AT THE THEATERS.

O'neiIo' me best acting tragedy that
Shakespeare wrote. with the possible excep-
1,oh Oh julius Caesar was presented by
lnonas heene and his company at the Met
ropolitan opera house last night. Mr.. Keene
assumed the title role, and Mr.. Hanford i'm
Persohateo lago. The performance as a
whole was creditable,
WINE there is mach ITO commend in Mr..
heenes treatment Ief StheIlo, 1t is unde-
iiiaoly uue that the Moor as interpreted by
MIN lacks the massive grandeur and nobility
OF soul that render the character impressive.
al least the imperspnation was deficient in
these qualities last night. 1t was not that
MI heene fell short in dramatic action or in
the mute expression of the agony of the
Moors tortured SOUL for his acting was at
eli crucial moments appropriate and adequate.
1t was in the delivery of the grand and glow
ing passages, fraught with the inspiration and
nre OF the Moor's rich Imagination, that Mr..
Meme tailed to move his audience. In his
commemorate purpose to avoid ranting. to ex-
press by repression, Mr.. Keene often be-
came 1naudible, and thus a great proportion
OF the effect was inevitably sacrificed. MIR.
heenes conception of the Moor is much to
MS credit He does not conceive Othello to
be snorting barbarian a mere human Great
ure with no spiritual development, and en-
doWed with no higher attributes than brute
force and carnal passion On the contrary, he
emphasizes the soulful nature Of the man,
the celestial element for which there is
abundant warrant in the text. That 1t was
such a man whom Shakespeare held up to
the world appears with convincing clearness
in the speeches of Othello in the last Two
! acts, especially in that pathetic soliloquy-
for 1t is that, though Desdemona be kneeling
at his feet-beginning Had it pleased heav-
en-" Likewise in the last act, how unmfs-
takably this celestial spirit is known, when
the Moor, before sacrificing Desdemona, ex-
claims: 4 would not kill thy unprepared
spirit" Rightly considered, the killing OF
Desdemona, while murder in the eyes of
the whole world, is committed by Othello IN
a sacri1cial spirit.
Mr.. Keene merits praise for an Othello that
awakens sympathy, instead of arous1ng dis
gust for his brutality and adherence OF his
fierce and savage rage. So, too, in his att1-
tude toward Cassie, when he dismisses him
from his service as an officer Mr.. Keene ex-
hibited the proper conception of Othello's
character. Othello loved Cassie. But Cassios
otfense was too grave for pardon. 1t grieved
his general deeply, but he must make an eX-
ample of Cassie. Mr.. Keene, unlike many
Othellos, did not explode the Walls of his
wrath over Cassio'si head, but delivered the
lines, Never more rbe officer of mine" and
the subsequent declaration. Michael, I'll
tenderness and dignity of tone and manner
eloquently expressive Of Othellos love for his
officer and grief for his disgrace
Some of Mr.. Keene'S readings are suscepti-
BILE Of Improvement, and it is suggested that
he brush up his acquaintance with the text of
few of Othello's speeches In the address
before the reverend seigniors Mr. Keene read,
''She gave me for, my pains a world of
kisses" The duly accredited Shakespearean
text reads 'sighs." not Kisses The latter
word is manifestly wrong. In the meeting
between Othello and Desdemona at the island
OF Cyprus, Mr. Keene read in response to
Desdemona's Heaven grant that our love-"
etc. Amen to that sweet powers" whereas
the customary and rmanifestly the correct ex-
preston is Amen to that sweet prayer"
Ihe lago Of Charles B. Hanford merits
much commendation. Physically it is larger
than the conventional Iago, but men of
small and wiry frames have no exclusive
patent on villainy. Mr.. Hanford read the
Keen and subtle speeches with nice emphasis
and full appreciation of their significance.
His was unquestionably a ciean-cut, sensible,
Intelligent portrayal of honest Iago," who,
it should be remembered, always speaks
home" and is to be "relished more in the
soldier than in the sCho-ar.''
Bertram Temple was a pleasing and spirited
Cassie and Grace Hopkins ard Mary Timber
mann we're satisfactory as Desdemona and
Emilia.
The Thomas w. Keene company will give
a popular-priced matinee this afternoon. sup
porting Charles b. Hanford in "Ingomar'
with Miss Grace Hopkins as 'Parthenia."
This evening Mr. Keene and his company will
present ''Richelieu"
The third of the Seibert concerts at the
metropolitan opera house will take place
next Sunday afternoon. The two previous
concerts at this theater were most favorab.y
Sundays concert will be equally as success
full.
Again last evening was the Grand we'll
patronized by large audience which
gathered to witness the thrilling scenes and
incidents Of SHAFT No. p AS presented by
Frank Losee, Marion Elmore and a competent
company this attraction affords the strong
est melodramatic treat of the season. The
storm scene in the play is the most wonder
full effect of the kind ever witnessed on the
local stage. Today at 2:3O popuar-priced
matinee will be given.
Next week at the Grand, Humanity, an
English melodrama, wifi hold the boards The
piece comes with the prestige Of successful
engagements in London New York, Boston
and Chicago. The. producing company will
be headed by Joseph Grismer and Phoebe
Davies