The San Francisco call., 1899-02-10
"OTHELLO" UND
THE SYMPHONY

Frederick Warde, Louis James and
Kathryn Kidder are having a prosper
Gus season of it at the Columbia ponular-
izing the masterpieces. The bill Wednes-
day night was 'tOthello," the audience was
packed to sardine space and the perform
ance was extremely interesting. In our
present poverty of legitimate acting it
signifies little or nothing to say that Mr..
James is the best Othello and Mr.. Warde
the best Iago on the American stage.
Even when Mr.. James played very over
done Moor last year it. was still the best
portrayal Of Shakespeare's jealous hero
that we had. This time Mr.. James seems
bent on modifying himself, and both he
and ourselves are to be congratulated on
the result. His Othello was really fine
tribute to his talent, No one can look
he settles down to serious work and sets
aside the ranting tricks of the one-ntght
stand no one in this generation could ask
for more strenuous and vivid character
Mr.. Warde is still inclined to make the
maleyolence of 1ago even more obvious
several notable exaggerations In MS per-
formance he acquitted himself ia
vorably. Especially in the scene OF the
first imposition on the Moor's credulity
was his work strong and telling. Barry
Johnstone gave a delightful version Of
Cassie, playing with easy authority In
semi-modern vein. Miss Kidders Des-
demona was ingenious and original to,
degree and splendidly dramatic in the
scene Of the first accusation; indeed. 1t
was a creditable Interpretation, although
it lacked in the qualities of passion.
"Othello" will be repeated Sunday night.
Macbeth will be given Saturday night.
Tonight and Tomorrow afternoon will be
devoted to The School for Scandal. ;"
This is the prospect for next week: Mon
day and Saturday evenings, Julius Cae-
sar'; Tuesday and Sunday evenings, The
and Saturday matinee, "Hamlett"; Thurs
day evening, Macbeth; Friday evening,
"Othello.''
While the symphony concert in the Or
pheum yesterday afternoon divulged lit
tie that was novel it was still a marked
its predecessor, the only really bad con-
cert of the seven given so far this sea-
son. Mr.. Scheel was enthusiastically him.
self again, and the band, despite certain
shortcomings in the brass instruments,
which have been discussed here time and
time again. was in good form and tenn
thoroughly poetic and uplifting per-.
formance; the strings were faultless in the
difficult top-note passages, and the whole
rendition was remarkable for its clear ar
cacy and accuracy of another character,
but equally as urgent, were notable in
the Midsummer Nights Dream" scherzo,
were 1.-THE Mill.' Templeton Strong's or
chestral, arranged from a Raft quartet,
and hte extremely intimate second rhapso-
die Of Liszt; both were given with good
dash and spirit. The long piece was Mosz-
kowskis symphonic poem, Joan of Arc"
which renewed the favorable impression
made last year. The eighth and last con-
cert of the season takes place a week
from Thursday, with programme that
includes the wonderful "Pathetic" sym
phony of Tschaikowsky and three Wag-
ner excerpts.
At the California Mr. Broadhurst's farce
of 'TWhy Smith Left Home is making
out a good second week Black PATHS
Troubadours, headed by Ernest Hogan,
come Monday.
Peaceful Valley is in the last nights
of two weeks run at the AIcazar. The
new piece will be "a Gold Mine" play
made famous by Nat Goodwin.