Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-09

They were very devout, these Planta-
genets," is the sententious dismissal Lyt-
ton gives King Edward and his brothers
Richard and Clarence, the latter fresh
from his treachery to his father-in-law as
the trio rode into London after crushing
Warwick and the last hopes Of the Tudors
and had a mass said in honor of their VIC
tory and personal preservation. And Rich
ard went from that mass to the tower.
where he calmly murdered poor old Henry
and babe him Down. down to hell. and
tell them Richard sent thee" And this
was the Richard that Walker Whiteside
gave his audience last night. II is much to
be regretted that some actor has not the
courage to correct Shakespeare in certain
unimportant particulars. and give us a
Richard as we now find him In history. No
more liberty need be taken than Colly Glib
Der felt justified in doing when he arranged
the version that has since been accepted by
the actors. II this were done we would
have a Richard no longer misshapen and
complaining that he was hurried into the
world too soon. Instead we would have a
prince who was we'll formed and skilled in
all the graces OF a gentleman of his time,
even as he was versed in the arts OF war
and accomplished in politics. But no actor
has yet had courage to do this. though
some few, Mr.. Whiteside among the NUM-
Der, have discarded the hump with which
the older were wont to dishgurer the only
man in the Plantagent race Of kings who
ever showed any SYMPTOMS OF sagacity and
statecraft. To fully appreciate Richard
one should be familiar with the politics OF
his time and should also bear In mind the
fact that Shakespeare wrote his play, not
to accurately reflect history, but to please
n - A.
p%orarily put out Of the king business by
the P~lantagenets on several occasions.
With this knowledge and. the faculty Of
diseounting the enormities charged to the
ambitious and unscrupulous, but withal
daring. witty and not unattractive, prince,
one Is fitted TO enjoy the play Of Richard
III" Few of shakespeare's characters are
endowed with more OF real wit and pun
gent, though cynical. philosophy. for In his
very effort TO make the character abhor-
rent and to heap contumely on his memory
the poet dressed II out with words and
phrases that run as smoothly as any In his
whole realm Of poetry. and gave to It a
tinge Of that very attribute which has
since become the greatest defense Of the
third and last Richard. For, trained in
the Italian school OF politics. known by the
general name Of Machiayellian. Richard
was uesNlueu 10 become It's greatest Eng
lish exponent, and, in fact, probably second
only TO the detestable Philip II Of Spain.
All that need be said OF Mr.. whitsside's
acting is that he brings out clearly and
with much force the subtleties OF the part
as IL came from Ci0ber's finishing touches
to the authors work. His support is good.
Mr.. Evart's Buckingham and Mr.. Chag-
mons Catesby are well worthy Of the stars
great efforts. !
At the matinee yesterday Miss Wolstan
had her opportunity as Portia IN The
Merchant Of Venice" and delighted a large
audience by her presentation OF the part.
Mr. whiteside's shylock Is also a part OF
his general work. painstaking and faithful
to a high ideal. In this play Mr.. Evart as
Bassanio and Miss Villa Reyes as Jessiea
md OPT o~rtunity for pleasing their friends
that are not offered in the others pre-
scented during the engagement here