The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-10

Sarah Bernhard is studying Hamlet
with a view of assuming the role Oh
the melancholy prince. In recent IN
terview published by the New York
Tribune, the great actress is quoted
as follows:
"Ah!". said Sarah, with one of her
indescribably expressive gestures, and
holding up a gray-covered manuscript,
somewhat crumpled and thumbed by
frequent reference Il keep Hamlet
constantly with me, and at times l be-
come absolutely absorbed by the study
of this part, which each day makes a
deeper and deeper impression upon me.
My idea is that Hamlet who, after all,
was but a young student, was more
like woman than a man, and the
character is especially suited for
WOman's impersonation. Had Hamlet S
nature been less feminine he never
would have driven himself to the verge
of insanity by subjecting himself to
those analyses which are revealed by
his inspired soliloquies. Had Hamlet
been more of man he never would
have resorted to the device of the
'mousetrap.' Had he been less OF
woman he would have run the king
through the heart with his sword forth
with. He would have-but then there
w
certainly the most difficult and most
intricate part that have ever attempt
ed 1t is safe to say that this master
part of Shakespeare is the most per-
picking and perhaps also the most dis
couraging one that any true artist can
undertake, for some of its tnmost beau
ties seem intangible-I mean almost be-
yond the reach Of impersonation. 1t
Yields, however, a magic spell Of fas
civ &c hi of q q
many interpretations-any half-dozen
of which may be excellent-as there
are individual actors to assume it. l
can only say that 1 am studying Ham
let conscientiously, and that 1 look for
ward to producing it this season in
Paris at the Renaissance. L also hope
that Hamlet may prove to be one of
the most important artistic efforts of
my dramatic career"
Mime. Bernhard said this with con-
viction, and as she did so the CONVEX
sation was interrupted by Mile. Sim
onne, the charmingly graceful young
daughter Of Maurice Bernhard, who
came capering into the room attired
much as in the lifelike portrait of her
made by Carolus Duran, which was
such an attractive feature in the Salon
last year. Mile. Simonne has become
the perfect idol of Nine. Sarah, and
it was indeed a pretty picture to see
the two frolicking together.
Otis SINNERS new play this season
is a romantic comedy, entitled prince
Rudolph" It is an extremely free dra-
matization of prince Otto" one of
Robert Louis Steyensons earlier stor-
les. The play, it is said, is interesting
in the extreme; the dialogue is bright
and the situations and climaXes as
dramatic as the most captious might
wish for. The cOstuming of Prince
Rudolph" is especially handsome, Nh.
Skinner having obtained the models
from which the dresses were made in
Europe. They are of the Empire peri
Cd and are said to be exceedingly be-
coming to both the men and women
who wear them.
1t is unfortunate, says the New York
Times, that Mr.. Mansfield and Mr..
Willard should begin their New York
engagements this season on the same
night, especially as both have new
plays-Mr. Wizards, 1.-The Physician"
by Henry Arthur Jones. being new to
this town, while Mr.. Mansfield's, "The
Devils Disciple, by that distinguished
Irish wit, cynic, vegetarian, and dress
reformer, George Bernard Shaw, will
be acted for the first time on any
stage.
Very little is known of THE Devils
Disciple" but 1t has had a trial per-
Torrance in Albany, and tomorrow
nights representation is sure to be
smooth and well-ordered. The scene is
laid in New Hampshire, about the time
of Burgoyne's surrender, and the
sound of martial music is heard in
many scenes. But we must not look
for a conventionally heroic piece from
writer so consistently odd and
methodically unusual as Shaw We
may fairly expect from him, however,
both wit and humor, and discernible
dramatic purpose.
The protagonist in 1.-THE Devils Dis
ciple" is one Dick Dudgeon, and this
Is the role Mr.. Mansfield will sustain
Burgoyne Is a character in the play
Arthur Forrest, A. c. Andrews and w.
n. Griffiths are prominent members Of
Mr.. Mansfield's company, while the
opposite" roles In all his plays will
be sustained, as usual, by Beatrice
Cameron (Mrs. Mansfeld)
A high order Of artistic taste Is sure