The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-16

He paused Ell route 10 take on D'Artag-
nan but did not stop over for Romeo.
Mr. Sothern began and proceeded for a
considerable distance by figuring I'm parts
accurately fitted to Mr.. Sothern. Now
with "A suddenness that is startling he
has undertaken to 1T himself 10 about
the most complex and subtle character
study that several centuries of dra-
matio writing afford.
The enterprise was bound To be inter-
esting, indeed. TO rlvet attention. A new
dramatic undertaking by Mr.. Sorhern rs
always something OF an event. a new
Hamlet ever suggests hope OF an epoch.
The combination rs sensational
That MIR Sotherns Hamlet is so thor
oughly satisfying need occasion no sur
prise To the thoughtfui lie has long
been recognized as conscientious and
thorough actor who undertakes nothing
that he does not finish To the best of his
capacity. And az las undertakings have
grown more and more ambitious IL has
been made clear that his reserve store
was likewise increasing. lie has gone
now into Shakespeare with the same firm
resolve To do his work thoroughly, the
same conscentiousness and earnestness.
the same fine confidence that, however,
is wholly lacking I'm bumptiousness,
which have been notably marked In all
his dramatic undertakings. That he aims
succeeds is matter for fresh congratu-
lstiOns. not of surprise.
No one under forty years OF age nus
any right TO discuss comparatively and
as an. eye witness the Hamlets of the
American stage. III the person no older
than that saw the stages most notable
Hamlet when the tragedian was I'm his
prime that person was then quite too
young to have mtelhgently appreciated
f. And II he failed 10 see that Hamlet
until old enough to appreciate II the
Hamlet had lost much of it's spirit and
lustre. Hence 10 assume TO test for cur
rent day audiences Mr. SOtherns Hamlet
by comparison with any other OF conspic-
uous note smacks OF the pedant not TO
say the fogy. Recalling the Danes that
have crossed the stage within twenty
years or so II is indifferent praise 60 say
that Sotherns Hamlet is the best since
Booths.
To studiously and critically review Mr..
Sothern's performance at the providence
Opera House last evening Is net neces-
sary I'm this place. In n sense his Hamlet
Is stnl I'm the formative stage. IL is
manly and vigorous presentation Mr.
Sothern's Dane is a young man with
warm blood In his veins facing destiny
fearlessly. lie is passionate In the matter
OF love and OF revenge and declines 80
take on the aspect OF biliousness or as
sumo the outward ana NiStble signs OF
nervous prostraton. lie Is black
haired Hamlet whore all around are
blonde There IL ample precedent for this
selection Of color. Somehow IL does seem
more beftting his state of mind and CIR
cumstance Briefly. his triumph may be
estimated without attempting 60 analyze
n by settling down the fact that surround
ed by company OF exceptional strength
and I'm varying satisfaction. from the
highest 10 the lowlicst member. and act
ing against an absolutely complete. elab-
crate aud very beautiful scenic outfit. MIR
Sothcrn was dominant at all timer
The company was indeed conspicuous
Never. perhaps was the play presented
with better cast Miss Virginia Har-
ned's Ophclia was exquisite. The most
fastidious student " this beautiful char
acter could have discovered not the small
lest exception 60 take. u was 80 unforc-
cd. 50 unassuming that ~ would be diff
cult 10 analyze its charms Mr. Edwin
Narrey's Polonius was " course "a r.re
treat The gay old humbuc was radc
ineNprersiblv delicious rs Varrov's we'll
rounded art And 30 on through tho
whole company. each In the measure