The Washington times., 1902-12-21

ly in his debt for bringing it so elabo-
rately to view. 10 play has caused
more discussion and diversity OF opin-
ion. In the whole range Of art there
is no other part so full OF apparent
contradiction. Yet the charm Of Ham
let's character gives it a fascination al
most universal. He has been described
as the Concentration OF all the inter
ests that belong to humanity" One
man considerrd Hamlet sTeat. bUt wick
ed; another good. but weak; a third.
that he lacked courage and Jared not
act; a fourth. that ne had too much in
tellect for his will, and so lost in re-
Election the time for action; some
thought his madness half genuine; OH
ers agreed that It was wholly feigned
Follows Booth and Irving.
The prompt book used BY Mr.. sothern
in the presentation Of this play is almost
identical with the version used by Henry
Irving and Edwin Booth. Mr.. sothern's
study OF the part has been made. how
ever. with a particular intention OF illus
trating the tenderness and pathOs Of the
part. rather than the passion, softening
the reading Of the passages ordinarily
''ranted," avoiding the melodramatic
side Of the tragedy as far as possible.
using the best traditional methods. but
being as natural as is consistent in the
delivery OF the lines. and avoiding un-
necessary posing. It has been especially
noted in Mr.. Sothern's performance in
this play as well as all others presented
by him that equal care has been given
to every scene whether he is upon the
stage OF not.
New Readings introduced.
There are still several departures.
In the play scene a fireplace in the
middle Of the stage has been introduced.
This is consistent with the period OF
the tragedy. Eight centuries ago it was
common TO have a hole in the center OF
the roof through which the smoke as
cended from - logs in the middle Of
the Hoor. The men at arms. servants.
etc, rested around this fireplace. In this
instance it serves to hide Hamlet from
the King while he is furtively studying
his stepfather's features. the hrelight
shows Hamlet's face clearly, and the
| picture is made even further effective as
he uses a tablet and notes the action Of
the play. In act three. during the scene
with OpheIia there is a reading ap-
parentIy new. It is the delivery of ths
get thee TO a nunnery- speech with
great tenderness. sothern also departs
from the traditional foil scene between
Hamlet and Lacrtes.
A Grave Made and Remade.
To make Hamlet to reality it may be
Of interest to quote a story Jacob A. Riis
tells Of his recent visit TO Hamlets
Castle il Elsinore.
Hamlet being dead" he says, there
had TO be HamIet's grave. Of course.
I English tourists demanded it. In due
course Of time there appeared a mound
on the bIuH. marked with plain granite
shaft that bore The name Of the melan-
choly Dane The relic hunters clipped
it to pieces in one brief season The
hotelkeepcrs provided another ana that
went the same way. when last stood
at HamleCs grave. 1 beheld a nigh
, ty heap Of stones and sIag-several
cart loads. Ny friend. one OF the solid
citizens OF The town. nodded knowingly
3 at my look Of amazement We caught
up at last he said: We just have
enough carted out from the gross
, works every year TO an up the holes
b they made the season before; then lei
then go ahead. Want to go to "ODhelia'r
- SPRING."