The times., 1899-09-27

In these days of reputed stage degen-
eracy, when the average theatre-patron
takes most kindly to the frothy, frivolous.
feverish entertainments that come from the
George Lederer shrine of undraped art 1t
is nothing short of real heroism on the part
OF Wagenhals &c Kemper that prompts
so admirable and costly a rendering OF
.'The Winters Tale as was that presented
last night at the National by the three
count EN-, three-star combination OF
James -Kidder- -Ranford. The audience had
been warned by the press notices to ex-
pect something really fine. and was not in
the least disappointed. The revival was
a revival in the fullest meaning of the
much abused term. Scenery galore, gor-
geous stage trappings, and costumes that
were magnificent in their splendor charmed
and delighted the eye. The company
headed by Mr.. James, Miss Kidder. and Mr..
Hanford, was especially good in what is
considered by many to be Shakespeare's
last work, the creation OF his most mature
mind, the elimination of the dramatists
deepest study OF mankind. That it contains
the most human characters he has ever
portrayed, with two of his finest feminine
creations, should make the tr;muvirates
production real pleasure to all lovers OF
what is deemed best in theatrical perform
ance.
Kathryn Kidder appeared yester-eyenine
in dual role, as did Mary Anderson twelve
years ago, when she lifted 1.-The Winters
Tale" from comparative obscurity and mads
il the most successful piece in her roper
toire The Winters Tale" gave to the
actress from the Blue Grass region the af-
fectionate tide of "Our Mary Miss Kid
der may not come to be termed "our Kitty
by the American people. but she will add
greatly to her already enyiable reputation
as a player of more than ordinary abili-
ties. As Queen Hermione. she arose to
majestic heights, providing an admirable
impersonation OF the pure, noble, falsely
accused wife OF the first portion of the Of
fering Later. as the sixteen-year- old dam
sci. she failed 10 paint the picture as
Shakespeare has drawn it. Miss KiddeI
made graceful sweet, and dignified young
woman, but IN all eandor she did not
look the Perdita OF the bard's creation.
In The Winters Tale OF Shakespeare
the part of Autolycus is a minor bit. As
produced last night, Autoiycus is quite d
prominent parsonage in th, play, a rogue
raseally and all thai, but funny, as we'll.
He is the comedy element of the piece,
and Mr.. James being one of the stars, had
to have more lines than the author saw fit
to put into the mGUth CT t.ie original Auto
lySuS. Ills auiitiSi ~ hO means Stt tSEe,tAt-
ems the work; in fact it makes the con-
ciusion rather incoherent. Mr. James
however, assumed the role with rare skill!
and won many a laugh. Mr. Hanf0rd's
L.eontes was q viriie touch. He did not
oyerdraw the character and his efforts
we're vastly superior to those In s'The
School for Scandal superior, no doubt
for the reason that he had better opoc5-
tunities to score IN congeRial part. That
sterling yetsran.John EilsieF, celebrated his
seventy-eigath birthday Dy giving sp!eE-
did, faithful-to-life Interpretation of tic
role CT thc shepherd. NorI..an Kempgr
Collin Hackett, Barry JehnstoLe. Elizabeth
Barriscale, and Helen Singer nssisfad in
making the revival a success.
Tonight The Winters Tale" viii BE re-
peated by The James -t.iddcr Hanfcrd com
pany.