The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-12
AT THE THEATERS.

Shakespeare's magnificent tragedy, Julius
Caesar was presented at the Metropolitan
opera house last night by Mr.. Keene and his
company. Mr.. Keene assumed the role of
Cassius, Mr.. Hanford impersonated Marc
Antony, and Carl Ahrendt appeared as Bru-
tus. n &;
The opportunities for fine and heroic acting
and acute discernment by the actors of the dig
tinguishing characteristics of Brutus, Cassius
and Antony are boundless. An adequate
presentation of this noble tragedy demands
the services of a constellation of stars"
There must be at least a tr,umvirate of art
lists eminently qualified by study, personality
and temperament to portray the three DOM
mating roles. These exacting conditions
were not complied with last night. Cassius
is not a character who appears to the best
advantage in the hands of Mr.. Keene. A
disposition to unduly emphasize the jealous
nature and testy temper of Cassius to the
sacrifice of his dignity was noticeable in
Mr.. Keene's Interpretation. The noble Brutus
would scarcely have 'grappled" such
a man to his heart with hooks of steel, .
and reposed his dearest confidence III him.
Mr.. Keene was most effective in the quar-
rel scene with Brutus.
Carl Ahrendt fulfilled the conception of
Brutus in dignity of bearing, but there he
stopped. His voice, though robust, is lack
ing in fexibility and richness of tone, and
his foreign accent clouds the beauties and OBJ
scures the philosophy of the magnificent
speeches allotted to Brutus. The text of
Shakespeare, pregnant as it is with a world
OF wisdom, demands in the delivery of it
the finest shades Of emphasis, much variety
of meditation, the clearest enunciation and an
absolutely pure and unaffected pronunciation.
The honors of last evenings performance
belong tO MI Hartford whose jmDarSOna-
ton of the fiery Antony was indeed satisfy
ing. 1t was vigorous, vital and virile. He
delivered the immortal funeral Grafton with
convincing effect. Nothing but this great
speech were needed to brilliantly exemplify
Shakespeare's comprehensive knowledge and
understanding of human nature. 1t is an
epitome of Antony's character, as we'll as a
masterpiece Of oratory.
The other roles were acceptably filed. for
the most part. Bertram Temple, who imper-
sonated Julius Caesar, was notably good in
the senate chamber scene Immediately pre-
ceding the assassination.
Mr.. Thomas w. Keene will appear at the
Metropolitan opera house tonight in his mag
nifcent production Of Louis XII" which is
one of his strongest roles, and will close
his engagement with two performances
tomorrow. Hamlet, will be presented at
the matinee, and tomorrow night, the fare
well performance, Mr.. Keene will repeat
Richard Ill"
Il = =
Rice's first and most successful burlesque,
"Evangeiine," will begin a weeks engage
ment at the Metropolitan opera house Sunday
evening. The company presenting the bur-
lesque is a strong one, including such we'll
known f~avorites as George FOrtesque, Dan
Mason, Charles Seagrave, Mae Baker, Winnie
Danvers, Bertha Clayton and Bertha Wood.
The sale Of seats is now open.
William A. Brady's production of Sutton
Vane's exciting melodrama, Humanity" will
be the Offering at the Grand next week. The
leading roles are cared for by Joseph Grismer
and Miss Phoebe Davis, two players of skill
and experience. The scenes of English coun-
try life, and the. incidents depicting events
in the Beers war in South Africa, it is said,
readily lend themselves to picturesque and
dramatic treatment. 44 .= III,