The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1902-01-31
A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS.
Tanning of the Shrew at the
Auditorium Last Night.
LARGE AUDIENCE is DELIGHTED

Mr.. Hanford and Miss GrantIy Reap
New Honors insNorfoik in Shakes
peare's Comedy-Miss Nenow and
Her Party the Cynosure of all Eyes.
From Wednesdays Daily.
Those who attended Ethe entertain
ment at the Auditoriumylast might an.
ticipating rare dramatic treat were
more than pleased-theyiwere delighted
with Shakespeare's "Tamingl.of the
Shrew" as presented by Charles B.
Hanford and Miss Helenl. Grantly, sup.
ported by company of unusual.
Early in the play it wasEevident that
both Mr.. Hanford and Miss Grantly were
determined to overcomeXall restraint
and force themselves intoNclose touch
with their auditors andltheyi issucceeded
in a remarkable degree. Shakespeare
classic comedy as Unexpectedly the
company was in the reach .of all,
whether they were studentsNof that
author or not, and the evening was
heartily enjoyed.
The principal entertainment of the
evening was preceded by7a one-act cur.
tain raiser, 1.-THE Old Guard" in which
Mr.. Hanford as Corporal Haversack, at
once established himself: actor far
above the average Of those, who visit
Norfolk. The two.charaoters assumed
by Mr.. Hanford during the evening
gave astonishing evidence of his versa
tility. The contrastjbetween the feeble
old guard and the lively, boisterous
Petruchio was greatsand the exceedingly
clever acting in both instances disclosed
genuine artistic ability that....was thor
oughly entertaining. The part of
Petruohio seemed fitted to Mr.. Hanford
exactly, but also was:the part of Cor
poral Haversack in "The Old Guard"
Miss Helen Grantly, interpreted the
part of Katherine, the shrew, with a
praoticed ability that was very enter.
tanning, although it was not difficult to
believe that her stormy rage was forced
and sustained with an effort, and that
she was more natural in the more sub
dued part. 1t was not impossible to
understand that off the stage Miss
Grantly is really very sweet and mild
tempered lady. There is no question,
however, but that she has an ability for
stage work that is certain to bring her
into prominence.
Their support was excellent, VIM. J.
Shea as Grunio was Of the best and his
clown part was almost equal in clever
ness to that of Mr.. Hanford as Petru-
chic. P. A. Nannery as Baptista was
likewise deserving of especial mention
The special scenery was fine and the
entire entertainment was highly salts.
factory. From the rising of the curtain
to the close of the last act the audience
was entertained, and though late the
audience departed with considerable
reluctance when the entertainment
ended. The audience was very respon.
sive and Mr.. Hanford and Miss Grantly
received numerous curtain calls, Mr..
Hanford finally consenting to recite
the "Star Spangled Banner" after the
close of the last act A friend in the
audience remembered Miss Grantly
with some beautiful flowers.
In this age of the new woman it is
probable that Petruohio's method of wife
training would not be as successful as at
the time the story was written and yet
it is pre- bable that with more Petrucios
within certain limit there would be
fewer divorces and more happy mar
riages. The average woman, even in
this day admires a man with some
Petruchian qualities and has an especial
regard for one possessing stamina and
will power.
The audience was scarcely more in.
terested in the play than they were in
the box party of Miss Verene Nenow,
winner of The NEWS voting contest.
The lower right hand box occupied by
the party had been artistically decor
ated by the johnson Dry Goods company,
by whom Miss Nenow is employed
Curtains and tapestries covered the
bare walls, bunting in patriotic colors
was overhead and surrounding the raj
ing and the contrast with the other un-
occupied boxes was striking The men,
bers of the party were Miss Nenow,
Miss Agnes Pierre, Miss Marie Bley,
Miss Hulda Nenow, Mr.. Lewis John
son and Mr.. Chas. Biersdorf. AS the
party appeared at the Auditorium en-
trance the orchestra struck up II Can
Tell Why Love You, But I Do" and
as the party reached their seats they
were welcomed with hearty burst of
applause from the audience. The bon
bons furnished by Mr.. Parish, the up.
holstered chairs provided by Hoffman g.
Smith, the flowers from THE News and
the conveyance to and from the Audi
torium by Brunson were all thoroughly
appreciated by members Of the party.