The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-07
THE LOCAL STAGE.
James, Wfddcr md Hnnford I'm "nhe
Winters Tale"


Since 1.-THE Winters Tale" was produced
in 1911 some of tho greatest actresses the
world has ever known have assumed one
or the other of the characters of Hermione
and Perdita. 1t Is a singular fact, how
ever, that the play itself has never been a
fayorite with managers, although tue pub
lie has never failed TO em)nsfrI,e rs lI-
probation of the wonderful poetic ana
dramatic beauty of the piece whenever IL
has been produced and a5ted proos:lT
History does not reNutd the Identity OF
the beardless boy who played the dual
role in Shakespeares lay, end the frst
time a woman is KIN jwn have appehit
in the part of Perdila WAS In l,4l at
Goodman's Fields, London MISS HIpnS-
ley Interpreted the role on that occasion.
a Mrs. Clifford first played Hernione with
Miss Hippesley. in tho famous production
of THE Winters Tale" made by iarrick,
Mrs Pritchard played Hermtone-
One of the Perditas who created sem
saton was Mrs. Robinson and Miss Far
ron was the next 90 essay the role, Then
came Mrs Yates. and after Der Miss
Hickos who appeared in tho revival of
the play al the Drury Lane, with John p.
kemble as Leontes, Charles kembie as
Forizel and Miss Slddons as Hernione.
Several other actresses were seen In the
of rerdita The next was Helen Faucii,
n daughter Of the lady just mentioned.
Miss Helen Wallis, tho last to play the
part before Mary Anderson took & Up,
proved a failure. Tho original iiermone
in this country was Mrs, BARLEY, who APP
pesred as far back as 1920 and was OIL
lowed about ten years later by Mrs. Hill
ton. After that Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Par
ker, Mrs. j. W Wallack. Jr., Isabelle
Dat hal I'D
in one or The other of the two Leading fe-
male roles, but tho Hermione and Perdila
best remembered by the present generation
is that of Mary Anderson, who was seen
for the last time on the stage IN those
characters. On the American stage tho
piece has been seen all too seldom, and It
Is interesting to note that after Miss An
derson, the first actress to play tho dual
role, Is Kathryn Kidder who was seen here
last night in Wagenhals and Kempers
magnificent production OF the play, With
Mr.. Louis James as Autolyc is and Mr.
Charles b. Hsntord as Leonteg. MIS- hD
derson is really the only actress who
made a thorough SUCCESS In the two roles
until they were taken up by the other tai
ented American woman who has this fea-
son not only demonstrated her complete
fitness for the work. but has shown ccn-
cluslyely that the widely varying cha,ac-
tiers of her Hernione and Perdita are best
portrayed by single person.
There were so many meritorious features
in last nights production OF The Win
tor's Tale" that one hesitates In selecting
the one that is to be given precedence over
the others. Interest quito naturally GEN.
ters In tho work OF tho three stars, but
the mistake OF surrounding them with
players who are not up to the proper
standard han not been made and An con-
sequence Mr.. James, Miss Kidder ard Mr..
Hanford do not always hold the center
Of tho stage. The organization is the
strongest which Messrs. Wagenhals e.
Kemper have ever brought out and that
is saying much Details are looked after
In an unusually careful manner The
scenery IS probably the finest ever used
by road organization appearing In
shakespearean plays and the costumes are.
In addition 10 being absolutely correct
from an historical standpoint. OF such a
nature as to indicate that Messrs. Wagon
halls e. Kemper have expended consider
able money In order TO produce the most
effective Results
The work Of Mr.. Hanford as feontes,
the king Of Stella. ia without any eycep-
tion The best that talented player has
ever done. The part is one which admits
OF the display Of genuine talent to an
unusual extent and at the same time is
of such a nature that its artistic qualities
would disappear entirely did the actor
who interprets Il oversct Il or commit
anyeof the many other Sins, both OF omig-
sion and commission which are seen -
often In the shakespearean drama As
the monarch who. crszed by jealousy and
deaf 70 the reasoning OF his faithful sub