The herald., 1898-12-25
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK

When Janet Waldorf was here nearly
year ago she attempted only the characters
of Julia in "The Hunchback," and OF Par
thenia in "Ingomar." She was at that
time studying the Shakespeareln roles in
which she has since appeared, namely:
Juliet, Viola and Rosalind. Her experience
in these exacting parts is, as yet, limited 10
about thirty performances of Juliet, eight
of Viola and fifteen OF Rosalind mention
this fact because 1t must be conceded that
the young lady makes an admirable show
ing, considering the bricf term Of her prac-
tical experience. 1t is true but not often
thought of, that no matter how mach pri-
vate study may have been put upon the
acting of part, it is only IN the public rep
resentation that the actor comes gradually
to realizing sense OF its possibilities; and
it is by testing the audiences in this way
that the desired success may possibly be
attained
That Miss Waldorf is an earnest student
is easily to be seen, and that she has made
considerable progress since her former ap-
pearance here is also observable. There is
a tendency, however, in her Rosalind to-
wards artifcialty, particularly in the earlier
scenes of the play, and this disposition
should be carefully guarded against and
overcome. One of Miss WaiiorPs great
charms as an actress lies in her apparent in
genioNsAess and spontaneity. 1&ese ara
qualities that are always captivating, and
too often spoiled by over-training, or, in
other words, an endeavor to make the actor
explain by intonation and gesture the mean
ing and the precise application Of every ad-
jective, adverb and substantive in a sen.
Tame He is repuired tn mako n diauram
as it were, illustrating every sentence and
every one of its clauses. The listeners are
not given the credit for ability to under
stand, unless the matter is thus made plain
to them, and the result is that an artificial
style is soon built up. In reality the au-
dience understands great deal more than
it is often given credit for, and the artist
who will best succeed will be the one who
relies upon natural and unaffected methods.
These, if aided by grace OF person, gift OF
voice and an intelligence that can analyze
and inform, will not fail in the attainment
of success.
At the time of the present writing, have
not witnessed the performance of "Romeo
and Juliet" but from what | have seen dur
ing this engagement in the two characters OF
Rosalind and Viola, there is every reason
AOlf OSliSNihS tudt iHp yOulS aStlCSS
realize her present prospect of brilliant
future. With youth, perfect health, a
physique vibrant with energy, good looks
and excellent powers of perception and as
similaton, Miss Waldorf unites magnetic
personality that enables her to capture an
audience by enlisting their sympathies with
her evident ambition.
While there are crudities in the perform
Uiyap nf 1yhinh
caused by meager stage setting, yet it is
pleasing to see that the genuine professional
spirit is present, and that the star" and
her chief supporters act with earnestness,
intelligence and an evident desire to make a
worthy showing.
I was greatly pleased with the excellent
work done by Mr.. McNay as Sir Toby in
Twelfth Night" l am sure that he, and
no one on the American stage SO well as he,
could do justice to the character of Falstaff,
and if there should be a revival of the first
part of "Henry the Fourth" the manager
OF it will do wrong to neglect the chance of
getting Mr. McVay to present the fat knight
with his unctuous good humor, his fraities
and his unfailing resources. Mr.. McVay
has the voice that is exactly suited for the
part; it is rich, full, mellow and round; and,
above all, he understands the true value of
every line in Shakespearean play. There
has been no Falstaff on the stage since
Hackett and John Jack in this country and
Phelps in England. Louis James made an
attempt at it two or three years ago, but his
humor was of the sardonic order in keeping
with his well remembered jester in Gran
cesca di Rimini," and was not at all of the
Falstaffian kind, in which an optimistic dis
position should be the chief characteristic.
Mr.. McVay has the right atmosphere for
the part, and predict would make hit
in it.
Another member of Miss Waldorf's COM
pany has come rather prominently to the
front as entitled to mention for good work,
and that is Norval McGregor. When this
gentleman used to play society leads and
heavy villains in melodramas at the Bur
bank he was afflicted with lachrymose
voice that alone ruined the effect of all he
did, and he was very highly esteemed as an
actor, having but one method, and that
very bad one, which he applied to every
thing. Now he shows that he has been
doing some thinking and working besides,
for his voice is almost entirely cured, and
he acts with vigor, taste and discretion. AS
Orlando and as Malvolio he showed genuine
dramatic perception and ability, to an ex.
tent, indeed, that had not been suspected
] trust his course will continue to be as sat
isfactory for the future.
.-- o o O
Nance O'Neil is shortly to return to Los
Angeles for season of one week at the
Burbank in repertoire of standard plays,
Miss O'Neil and her company recently re-
turned from Honolulu, where they achieved
most fiattering success, the engagement
being extended one week longer than in
tended. The repertoire for the season here
which opens Monday, January 9th, will in
clude some plays which were no presented
by Miss O'Neil during her former engage
ment.
A change in the hour when the curtain
rises at the Orpheum is to be made. Here
after, beginning with the Christmas matinee
tomorrow, the performance is to commence
at 2:l5 and at S:l5, at matinee and evening
performances respectively. That it is
change for the better goes without saying.
The laziness or carelessness of chronic late
eomers should not be allowed to interfere