The San Francisco call., 1899-08-01
Miss Roberts Makes a Hit
as Shakespeare's Ten
der Heroine.

II ldInY Dldy6u JuIlcI W 0dlilCh . INOAlcOb
| and at a rival theater Barry was the
Montague to Mrs. Cibber's Capulet,
the play had the unprecedented run of
twelve nights at one theater and thr
teen at the other, Garrick's desire to
speak last o'erleaping his terror of the
mystic thirteen Stupendous revivals,
with magnificent scenery, correct cos
tunes and all-star casts, are the only
ones nowadays billed, for what is com
mon enough with us, the seasons run.
However, if applause is an indication of
popular approval, Romeo and Juliet" is
success sturdy enough to reach at least
it's thirteenth birthday, and need not, to
make good its announcements, die on the
seventh night. 1t is a most pretentious
production. New scenery has been paint
ed, some new people engaged and, where
the principals are in question, gorgeous
Hermann gowns and costumes are worn,
absolutely correct TO the period, of course,
for Hermann would scarce lend his sound
ing name to anything less.
Miss Roberts has spared neither pains
nor expense on her Juliet wardrobe and
the result is a Joy to the beholder. Even
her wig, a perfect Venetian red, Is
work of art, made by a local wig maker,
+ao after days of patient search for just
the tint. Mr. Whittlesey's costume sym
phony in red is gorgeous-simply gor-
geous-and when one considers the prices
at this thedter one can out De lndnhl I'll
that the artistic sense is so great part
of some natures that no handicap is con-
sidered when it's demands are making:
AS the shadows close about Romeo'S life
his costumes grow somber; brilliant red,
thoughtful gray, sorroWful black. Mr..
Whittlesey's makeup was correctly and
has made a success of his scenery. The
set for the balcony scene, with Its vine
clad walls, its hangings and its street
distances is we'll thought out and carried
int the 3tmnSnhprS OF the times.
The Alcazar has reason to be proud OF
the result of its efforts. But the play
is the thing" and the players.
The Juliets of the stage, past and pres
ent, are, after all, not numerous; for to
act Juliet well the actress must have so
many years of experience that she ceases
to look Juliet. Miss Roberts comes 10 the
part with both youth and experience. for
she was little more than child when she
teen-not day ,older-.and OF now many
Juliets can this be said. They have been
stately and tragic, amorous, tender elo-
as in the case of Mrs. Siddons, terrific
and sublime. Miss Roberts brings to the
early scenes a spirit, OF perfect innocence
and purity. Her childish coquetry In the
dance when her eyes ever seek out Romeo
is so openly without guile that glrlhood is
patent. She plays the balcony scene Dor jot
before this. in the words My only love
sprung from my only hate, too early seen
unknown. and known too late" certain
undertone of the tragic, the shadow of
impending doom, which many critics con-
slider the keynote of the part. makes itself
vaguely felt. She is weighted with a ham
dicap in her scenes with the nurse, for
Miss LeaVy lacks real testiness-lacks de-
cision; and not to know just how one Is to
be met somewhat blunts ones intentions.
Miss Roberts impatience and winning
playfulness met with but little response
With the first touch of sorrow she ages
and becomes the heroine, and comedy is
left behind forever. The potion scene
will grow with experience in the part
Even now the latter half is very strong
and in places done with a subtle insight
that brings the corse of Tybalt painfully
before our eyes; In no place does },s tdn she
oyeract, and perhaps the fear OF TINS ter r,
the first part. Miss Roberts has the
strength and undoubtedly the work mere
make it. Her love scenes were al beauti-
full from the ingenuousness of the girl TO
the passionate ardor, of the woman; ana
her death in the tomb a quiet heartbreak
to all. But we have one more juliet 10
love and are happy
Mr.. Whittlesey as a lover 1s always
worthy of being loved. So ably did he
plead that, as some one has said before,
Juliet might have forgotten her mOdesty
and come down to him. Apart from the
love scenes, his best work is done where
he slays Tybalt and in the tomb. In the
cell with Friar Lawrence he is strong
but somewhat overwrought. But the
parting with Juliet and the tomb scene
follow, and then in the satisfaction of
these what did not quite please US is for
gotten. Mr. Dennithorne's Mercutio was
very good, as were the Benvolio of Mr..
Halifax and the Paris of Mr.. Moore.
The other parts were satisfactory, but
not of exceptional merit. But what of
this? Juliet and Romeo they are the
play and they have won our hearts. Be
sides, if one sets about it he can find fault
with anything. Pepys, he of the diary,
self the worst 1 have seen" Still, If I
remember Alright, he saw version so i'm
proved as to save the life of both Romeo
and Juliet Miss Roberts and Mr. Whit
tIesey almost make us wish they had
known that version, so unhappy do we
feel that their love is for so brief sea-
son.
we expected much Of both these artists,
and we have not been disappointed. The
most unstinted praise is due them both.
The advance sale for the week is so large
that an extended run is probable.
CHARLOTTE THOMPSON.