New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-11
SHAKESPEARE AT THE HERALD SQUARE
ROMEO AND JULIET"

Mr.. Maclean, Miss Odette Tyler Mr.. Hanford
knd their professional associates devote the second
week Of their engagement at the Herald Square
Theatre TO & presentation Of Shakespeare's tragedy
Of Romeo and Juliet" Last week was given TO
cOthello," and next week is assigned to Julius
Cesar" and THE Merchant Of Venice" The pro-
reedings Of these performers are marked by worthy
ambition, a sincere spirit earnestness OF purpose,
hnd the display Of considerable useful talent and
while they are unequal to their self-imposed task
end do not rise above the level Of respectable
iDediocrity in the fulflment of 1t, they are en-
sited 10 respect for good intention and good influ
snoe, and they can rightly be admired for zeal If
they cannot be commended for good judgment.
In the performance Of Romeo and Juliet" Miss
Odette Tyler appeared Juliet, Mr.. Maclean as
Romeo. and Mr.. Hanford as Mercuto. Experience
Of the stage enables all Of them TO speak the words
and 10 make the requisite motions that appertan
TO acting; but impersonation Of character is a
physical mpossbility, In the face Of constitutional
1mpediments not simply obstructive but absolutely
fatal Miss Odette Tyler's qualifications are
for "chamber-mads" Aspect. voice. motion, de-
meanor, gesture, temperament, individual pecul-
sarities-al these things. in this performer,
bne themselves into a personality that Is bthe
and mischievous. full of piquancy and ginger"
instinct with frolic and predestned for mrth.
Such an actress is powerless in tragedy.
More than twenty years ago when Edwin Adams
Hay dying in Philadelphia, a performance
given. for his benefit at the Academy of Music in
this city. and one act of "Otheo" repre-
eented. with sothern the Moor Florence
1ago, Mrs. Drew as Emilia and little Lolita az
Desdemona- Sothern and Florence disappointed
the mischevous expectation Of the time by acting
In serious manner, but Lolita struck the note of
srolic, introduced her well-known kick and upset
at once the suolimity of the play and the gravity
Of the occasion. Miss Odette Tyler Is not another
Lolita, but for constitutional reasons Miss Tylers
acting, In such parts as Desdemona and Inlet &c
quite as thoroughly incompatible as that of Lolita
with the Shakespearean conception and the Shake
epearean atmosphere. She represses her mirth
but her mirth is incplen and all the gravity that
she is able 10 assume cannot create a serious flu
Sion For Juliets balcony scene she lacks poetry:
for Juliet's potion she lacks power; and for
Juliet's death scene.-as indeed for all scenes that
Involve human agony. delirium conflict. passion
6r despair-she is. in professional point of view
completely incompetent Such proceedings are
merely frivolous, and IT would be frvolity
10 discuss them.
Mr. Macean who appears TO be rich in theories
may perhaps comprehend Romeo: If he does he
mus: be aware that Romeo is more In love with
being in love than he is with any woman. and that
The impersonation of him as mature roousuous,
and executive man OF affairs. who makes him
seh half-eeeminate in trying TO be sentimental.
is radically wrong and deplorably unsympathetic.
The individuality and the talents OF Mr.. Maclean
Indicate that his appropriate field Is that OF
heroic drama,-,he realm or such characters ~
hpartacus and Damon. Such man mas no
natural sympathy with Romeos and Hamiets'
and. in the nature of things. 1t Is perfectly
impossible for him TO impress anybody possess
ing discernment. when he ventures into the airy
regions o. tremuous sensibity abstract intellect
VI weird Imagination Experience has taught inns
lesson very often, and II is no less sad than strange
mat should stu have 10 be learned over and over
again.
an embodiment of Mercutio should possess eie-
s'e hghtness. brilliancy. fascinating personal
~ poetic charm and, In the matter OF vocal
~. ws'on II should have perfect elocutionary art
""iofa. who Is a heavy actor, gave the hea'y'