The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-21
DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.
METROPOLITAN.

Mr.. Keenes claims to eminence as an ac
tor are Likely to be based on his interpreted
ton of the character of Louis XII. rather than
upon his Richard. He is more truly great
actor in the de-ineation Of the craft the can't
ing hypocrisy and the debased superstition Of
the French king than in his reading of the
lines and character of the English tyrant.
History tells us that the French monarch was
a repulsive being; that his very virtues were
tempered by baseness Of mind and heart
that he was a thing abhorrent. The same is
not true of Richard-Cibber to the contrary
Notwithstanding. In spite Of his congenital
deformity Richard was fair to look upon, and
his villany always took en- the form CT fair
seeming. He was not b.oodthirsty, and 1t Is
not shown of him that he killed for the
pleasure of killing. Louis was utterly base,
and so Mr.. Keene makes him.
His presentation of the character last even
ing was not the first time he has given it in
this city, but it Is quite certain that 1t was
the most finished performance ever given
here. The star has in some measure altered
his conception Of the character. He lent more
fire to the physical attributes of the tyrant
than on the last occasion Of his presentation
Of the character in St. Paul. There was more
justification for the play of passion in the
Louis depicted last night than in the totter-
ing old man who has been seen before. The
character was very finely drawn and Mr..
Keene read his lines with a precision that
demonstrated his capacity as a great reader
He was masterful in the chamber scene, and
his death scene is the most impressive thing
done by male actor on the American stage
today. He was accorded the unusual dis
tinction. at the hands of a Metropolitan audi
ence, of call after the final curtain.
The support of Mr.. Hanford was most eff
cient and satisfactory-as is everything done
by this actor. There is manly and refresh
ing vigor in his acting and reading of the
part Of Nemours that is wonderful foil to
the part Of Louis. Mr.. Hanford, in this char
acter, does but renew his claim to pre-emi-
hence as an heroic actor
MI. Lowell was all that could be desired
as the Dauphin. He read evenly. and had
very adequate conception Of the demands of
the part. He is a very wellequipped actor,
and in strongly emotional scenes gives, at
times, marked evidence Of the divine spark
Arthur Stanford's Tristan was very good,
as was the reading of Mr.. Ahrendt as the
friar.
The promise Of Miss Moore as Julie. In
"Richelieu,' was more than realized in her
work as Marie de Commines She Is charm
ing and a clever actress. with a delicacy of
expression that Is grateful.
Inc balance or the company was quite
equal to the requirements of the cast, and
the performance as whole was commercially
good. 1t was such a performance as reas-
sures one as to the capacity of the stage to
do something that deserves to be remem-
bered, and Mr.. Keene has conferred a dis
tinct obligation on the theater-going public
by bringing together q company of DeopIe
Of such excellent quality.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Keen gave "Othel-
10" to the largest audience of the week
though the attendance has been large at
each performance.
This evening, Julius Caesar" with Mr.
Keene as Antony and Mr.. Hanford as Brutus