Evening star., 1902-02-15

In some respects the present week has
been one of remarkable theatric impor-
tance. ben Hur" is a spectacle Of passing
scenic magnificence, and Otis SINNERS pro-
duction Of Francesca da Rimini' is a ere
alton of the most striking literary beauty
and dramatic value Ben Hur" has called
attention to the fact that the theater-go-
ing public in Washington and adjacent
cities is sufficient TO maintain an attraction
for two weeks or even longer Many of
the patrons at the National this week had
never before seen the inside Of theater.
And the familiar faces of the regulars
were not nearly so abundantly in evidence
as usual.
The intereS in Francesca da Rimini
was most creditable to the taste Of this
city's play patrons. The Boxer version of
the tragedy wears we'll. and affords splen-
did opportunities for at least four people.
Either the cripple the fool or the brother
might be star character. Mr.. Boucicault
Is a most graceful actor. His tempera-
mental qualities are such that he seems
to inspire admiration or disfayor with equal
facility. Little other than praise has been
bestowed on his performance of Paolo, al
though there was strong suspicion on
Monday night that he was not eXerting
himself To give the best performance of
which he was capable. He fully redeemed
this impression later in the week, and did
some work that it would have made his
illustrious father proud to see.
William Norris gave vivid interpreta-
tion of the role of Pepe. He showed scant
courtesy to tradition. He relied but little
on delicate suggestion, but made his I'M
personation harsh, blunt and uncompro-
-;
umphant touch of individuality.
Mr.. Skinner has secured the rights to
dramatize the successful novel. La
zarre, and may use it for his play next
season He has not yet decided whom he
will employ to make the stage version.
'The success Of Ben Hur,' said Man
ager Rapley of the New National Theater.
has convinced me that attractions could
be played successfully for two weeks in
Washington in a number of instances, and
II / am able to do so l shall make arrange
ments to that end. / should not hesitate.
for instance, to bring Mime. Du Barry to
this city for two or even three weeks, and
shall certainly do so In the course of time
if an agreement to that effect is possible
Mr.. SINNERS Francesca da Rimni
abounded in realistic touches. Perhaps this
infusion of 'naturalsm' into old-time he
role parts will be noted by succeeding gen
erations as the characteristic OF this theat-
rical age. At any rate roles like Lanciotto
and Richard Ill are now done with a con-
vincing naturalness which was altogether
absent from the interpretations of thirty
years ago.
When the Booths played Richard they
gave the morbid. constituencies Duke Of
Gloucester a limp which exceeded all the
afilictions of the legs to be seen in years
travel. Richard dragged behind him a
limb utterly without life. He was more
than lame-he had but one leg he could
use. Men who did THE Hunchback'' were
equally extreme. Then came Ward ana
James. Creston Clark and several others
with Mansfield essaying Richard as a
character part pure and simple. Ward
and James used the kings limp more as
one of the properties of the drama than as
physical element of a personality to be
recreated often the play was pre-
sented. This disregard of naturalism in ia
yOr Of a grand utterance and an impress
siye appearance is in full accord with all
the old principles of the stage and with the
present regrets of nearly all students Of
Shakespeare. But MIR Mansfield swung
with the pendulum away over to the other
side-his limp as Richard was the limp of
a man with diseased hip and was SO nat
"
sympathy as he moved about the stage.
1t would be difficult for the advocates of
either method to find fault with Mr.. Skin
ner. Lanciotto's deformity is so essential
an element in the tragedy that the actor
must necessarily keep 1t constantly before
his audience. Mr.. Skinner was obliged
therefore, to accent Lanciottos limp. But
audiences of today refuse to sit through q
performance which is chiefly elocutionary-
present day actors must reach the brain
through the eye before they sway 1t
through the ear. Mr.. Skinner was also
obliged. then, to give Lanciotto q limp
which would contribute to a natural, rea-
sonable stage personality. The result was
q wonderful portrayal OF physical afflction.
so manifest as to explain all Lanciotto's re-
luctance to be seen In public assemblies and
all Francesca's momentary recoil when
first she sees her aff1anced husband, but
nevertheless so natural as to hold the SYM
pathy of the audience almost breathlessly
and exhibit even the warriors unconscious
attempts to gloss 1t over.
y
A story has leaked out from George
town which would no doubt interest theat-
rical folk all the world over. Last fall the
erudite and austere rector OF prominent
Episcopal parish across Rock creek prom
ised beautiful gift book Of q religious
character to each student In his catechism
class who would learn the beatitudes and
half dozen other scriptural quotations.
After about month he began to present
these books to little girls and young ladies
every Sunday. But one morning the con-
gregation rubbed Its eyes. fguratively, to
see two boys standing up to receive awards
AZ for the rector-his delight knew no
bounds. So he had the boys to dinner at
the parsonage. gave them separate hymn
books az well as the promised volumes, and
finally. In q desperate determination to re-
ward them sufficiently, bought them tickets
to the Rogers Brothers.
=
3. NJ. Holland Is q son Of George Holland
Of the old Wallack Company, and was born
In New York In 1848. When fifteen years
Of ago he became call boy at Mrs. John
Woods Olympic Theater on Lower Broad
way, nsaS Bleecker street, New York city.
which was soon given over to George Fox
ANA the phenomenal run Of 'Humpty
pumpty." Three years later Mr.. Holland
tSened the company at Barnum's Museum
D p player OF small parts. From 1861 to
~ ne was identf1sd with Lester W : -