The Anaconda standard., 1899-03-21

and at the accession of George III. this
reaction set in, and in spite of some
eXcesses in his reign was strengthened
by the influence of the court. The hne
gentleman of that day was known by
the disciplined restraint of his emo
tions and passions, the plausibility or
his language, his formal courtesy and
his minute observance of the punctllos
OF etiquette. Gallantry, politeness and
good taste revived, though they lost
their old spontaneity. They were as
much the external attributes of gen.
tleman as his lace and rutfies. The code
of honor still existed in all its strin-
gency. but, on the whole. owing to the
suppression of natural impulse, exist
ence itself became a sort of carefullE
acted comedy. Love stopped short at
sentiment. and displeasure showed it
self by chilling politeness or lapsed into
testiness. Such was the generation IN
which THE School for Scandal ap-
peared. Since that time it has served
as an admirable picture of that fastas-
tic and immoral regime. 1t is an eX-
Qusite picture, too, and in construction
the dialogue is as delicate as lace work.
The epigrammatic utterances of Sir
Peter and the wit of his associates are
Of a quality that has never since been
excelled
The dialogue is so brilliant through
out, and the auction scene and the
screen scene so effective that nobody
cares to examine the construction of the
comedy. except as a matter of critical
duty. The School For Scandal has
been universally regarded as Sheridan's
masterpiece.
Many people in last nights magnifi-
cent audience had seen the great COM
edy often, but 1t is doubtful if they
had ever witnessed a more perfect,
more delightful production than that
given by Wagenhals & Kemper's
Warde and several other members of
the company are well known to Butte
theater- -goers, but Miss kidder has
been practically stranger to many
prior to her appearance last night. Now
she is as firmly established in the ad-
miration and the hearts of the people
of Butte as her co-stars. She is
superior artiste. a. marvelously versa
tils actress. and a beautiful, charming
woman. She enacted the part of Lady
Teasle delightfully."- and more accepta-
bly, than that familiar to the older
theater goers. She makes of it a
young. joyous, vivacious character, full
of life and spirit. and more girlish and
willowy than has been the general in
depreciation of the well-known charac-
ter. but in all she gives it thoroughly
artistic personation.
James Charles Surface is breezy and
bright, splendid piece of acting and
he will always have admirers who will
express a preference for his inimitable
comedy.
AS Joseph Surface. Mr.. Warde gave
an excellent portrayal, and his work in
the fourth act was particularly clever.
Harry Langdon's Sir Peter was
strong. vigorous, humorous and splend-
idly portrayed.
The other characters We're all ex-
cellently played. and the production
as a whole was most satisfactory to
the audience and must also have been
so to the players.
The School For Scandal" will be
repeated Wednesday and Friday even
ings and at the Saturday matinee. This
evening Macbeth" will be given. and
Thursday night "Othello." and at the
Wednesday matinee. Hamlet" Owing
to the length of the plays in the re-
pertoire the performances will begin
each evening promptly at $50 O'Clock.
Mr. Warde yesterday consented to de-
liver lecture before the pupils of
the Butte high school and all the
teachers on the occasion of the regu-
lar monthly teachers meeting at the
high school auditorium on Friday af-
ternoon at $50 O'Clock. He will lecture
on Macbeth" and also give Shakesper-
can readings,