The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-23

superb and spirited stage pictures, sur
passing even the best previous efforts
of this master of stagecraft, but 1T also
inspires grave misgivings concerning
Sir Henry'S ability to Withstand the
fatigues of his coming American tour,
writes The Man of the World in the
New York Telegraph.
One who has not seen Irving for three
or four years needs but a glance upon
| his first entrance as the crafty French
conspiratOr to realize how very i'll he
must have been and how sadly he is
| broken. He plays with consummate
art, and in the scenes where Robes
pierre seeks to save his iilegitimate son
from the guillotine he is infinitely pa
I thetic and touching. but his whole bear
ing is that of a man whose best years
| have slipped into the shadows of the
past and whose virility and vitality are
seriously impaired
And there is even something more
than the suggestion of physical lassi-
tude. Irving'S bearing is that of man
who has suffered in heart and spirit as
well as in body. 1t is no secret in Lon
don that the relations between Sir
Henry and Ellen Terry are sorely
strained. They act together, but it is
purely a matter of business. There is,
even to the people in pit and stall,
noticeable GOODNESS and restraint where
once existed the warmest sympathy,
the most pronounced ueNOtlOn.
1t is a curious story that is openly
whispered about the London clubs. 1t
has to do with a handsome young actor
1t eXemplifies once more the old truth
tina woman, however gifted, however
experienced and advanced in years, is
often at the best but tickle, incompre-
hensible, whimsical creature of moods
and impulses, and never too old to re-
spond to the magnetic touch of youth
sympathy, it may be said, is entirely
with the veteran actor, who never adj
vanced a step higher in his art without
assisting Ellen Terry to rise with him.
His regard for her, his fidelity to her
interests, has been very beautiful. 1t
seems great pity that now, when suf-
fering has overtaken him and the
shadows are frightening, that he must
bear the added sorrow of disloyalty
and disaffection.
Everyone who ever knew this gifted
couple at the zenith of their success
knows how completely entwined were
they in personality as well as in art.
And no one can look upon them now
without instant recognition of sadly
altered relations. Miss Terry is a charm
ing and dignified picture in Robes
pierre" but her work is listless and
perfunctory. Her heart is not in it nor
with the great artist who contributed
so vastly to her fame.
Somebody told Sarah Bernhard the
other day that she had seemed to make
Hamlet man of 80, and her indignant
reply was: Il have done nothing of the
kind. Instead of making my Hamlet a
man of So, l have endeavored to i'm
personate youth of 20 summers whom
his friends speak of as young Hamlet
and who is lacking in that experience
which would have led to different re-
suits. Middle-aged actors have played
this part without making allowances
for the hot-blooded impetuosity OF
youth. They played it as they would
have felt at their own age, but the con-
ception of Hamlet at twenty-still a
boy, even when his mind brooded on
venseance-is to my thinking quite DIFF
ferent. l know my personification of
Hamlet will be discussed. / have swept
away some of the old landmarks and
departed from the beaten track of stage
convention.
Because the original impersonator of
Hamlet was fat man, therefore the
tradition has remained that the noble
Dane was of stout proportions Here
again, according to my lights, is an alb
solute error. He was slender and sup
pie of limb, a man of nerves and intel
lect, dramatic and passionate in tenn
permanent. His hesitations and per-
plexity are mostly assumed, for as an
aNengef ne must act a part and appear
not to feel the storm of rage and in
dignation that runs riot in his blood"
Then you do not believe that Hamlet
was really mad?'
Mad said Sarah Bernhard slowly.
as she bent down and clasped her hands
In her rudy hair. What could those
who said he was mad be thinking of?
He feigned madness to effect his pur-
pose and carry out his ends. Observe,
too, how he was all things to all men.
Boisterous and amusing in his frolics
with Polonius, wicked with Rosen-
crantz and G1ildenstern because he
knew them to be evil Terrible with
the king He suits his mood to his pur-
pose. 1t is all clear as day! With
Ophela there is no feigning. He lis al
ways real with her" And here the ca
dence of S8rahs incompatible voice
changes to the softest music, mo need
to speak of love, or pity poor Ophelia.
She is to Hamlet the one tender spot
in his scared heat, and he bade her de-
part to nunnery lest her beauty