The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-03-14
ADJUSTMENTS.

When it comes to settling back in a
seat to follow a play for the pure en-
jOyment there is in ii, rather than to
study the Sornber poetic phraseogCgy of
bygOne eenturies-and turn gray
haired in the attempt to secure full
comprehension of Mary Stuart" is
the best thing in Nodjeska's repertoire.
1t was presented for the first time yes
terday afternoon, and so genuinely
enthusiastic was it's reception, even by
the small audience in attendance, that
the management is already considering
the advisability of taking off Saturday
nights bill, Macbeth in it's favor
The objection to this is that the sale
for Macbeth" has been quite heavy
and this is the only remaining oppor-
'tunity of seeing the Polish star as Lady
Macbeth.
Comparatively few local theatre
goers have ever seen Mary Stuart"
1t WAS last presented by Modjeska in
this city about ten years ago, and is,
by the way, the favorite role of the
great actress. The author, Frederick
Schiller, stood foremost among German
bards, and no greater historical drama
came from his pen than Mary
Stuart" There have been better trans
latiOnS. but that is no fault of the au-
thor and when Modjeska plays it and
becomes a part of the play she makes
US forget all the imperfections that the
most critical could discern. The story
treats of the period of Mary stuart
captivity and execution by Queen Ellz-
abeth. and compared with ShakeSpear-
can creations, it is refreshingly modern
While Modjeska dominates the piece
from the mere fact that she is Mod
ieska Miss Kate HaSSett was response
BILE for a good share of the pleasure of
yesterday afternoons performance. In
playing Queen Elizabeth alongside of
Modjeska's Stuart, Miss Hassett has
assumed a burden not often borne by
an actress of her experience, and I'M
arsH, 1Nn
herself most creditably- She looked
every inch the ambitious queen, so suS-
ceptible to fiattery, and gave a con-
SCientiouS portrayal of the part, she
has slight tendency to be stacy occa-
sionally, and a more powerful voice
than Miss Hassett possesses would per-
haps make the role more effective.
These were minor imperfections, how
ever, that scarcely warrant mention.
Every move MOdJeSka made was. or
course, the supreme in art. The scene
which calls forth her denunciation of
Elizabeth was as strong, in the opin-
ion of some, as anything she has in
Macbeth" 1t was a HAWKES. rendl-
ton.
Mr. MacLean is seen to advantage as
the Earl of Leicester, and the Lord
Burleigh of Mr.. tombstone, while it is
not large part, adds another laurel to
the accomplishments of this actor Mr..
Won Mitzel, whose Hubert in king
John has proved one of the good
] things of the week. impersonates Nor
! timer, Queen Mary's most faithful sub
! ject The one thing which might be
/ urged against his Characterization is
the over-exuberance sometimes dis
played.
king john was repeated last night
1 before a good sized audience. To-
night Mary Stuart" will be given its
| second performance.
! Signor Bevignani, musical director OF
| the Sembrich Concert company be-
slowed a high compliment on the taber-
nacle choir and its director. Evan
/ stephens, last evening, and one, nc
doubt which Professor Stephens will
/ long have occasion to remember. il
was at the conclusion of a rehearsal OF
| Faust" which Bevignani had directed
| when the eminent musician addressed
! the choir. He characterized their work
as the most artistic he had heard in
/ an amateur organization since leaving
| Europe, and expressed the profoundest
! establishment that a body of singers
| existed in the far west which had at
/ tanned such a degree of perfection The
| training of the choir, he said, demon
strated that their leader possessed {
1 thorough understanding of his work.
You have had most Intelligent
| training" said the signor. most intel
/ lgent training, and 1 only hope thai
! the good work will be continued. II /:
bound to dc much for music in west
| ern America