Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-08

Mr.. Walker whiteside has by no means
attained the zenith Of his capsbility as an
actor, nor Is II to be expected that one
so far on the sunny side of LIES meridian
should have reached the acme OF his powers.
Yet Mr.. whiteside has gone far to demon
strate the accuracy Of the prophecy made for
him by The Bee on the occasion OF his first
visit to Omaha some years ago. In order to
understand his progress in his art one
should have seen his Hamlet" Of that time
and his Hamlet of last night. Persistent
effort, well supported by an abiding faith in
a high ideal. has carried him steadily to-
ward his goal, but the advance he has made
has in nowise dulled his srdor or lessened
his desire for further achievements. II
his past be an augury for his future, Mr..
whitesIde will yet be known as one of
Americas foremost opponents of the classic
drama. Indeed, where he is we'll known he
is so regarded today. His conception Of
the character of Hamlet varies but slightly
from that Of other great actors, yet he de-
parts in many particulars from the con-
ventional and this without outraging any of
the traditions that cluster SO thickly around
the part. In many respects Hamlet is the
most difficult Of all the Sh~akespearean list.
One very potent reason why this is so is
that Hamlet" is probably read more than
any other OF Shakespeare's plays, and the
people who are attracted to the theater by
1t are not only very familiar with the lines,
but have their wi notions OF how the
parts should be presented. Thus at the very
outset the actor is required to overcome a
prejudice or reach a standard already set
up Of which he knows nothing other than
that IL exists. II he succeeds he has won
by overcoming the individual opinion of
peet his familiar knowledge OF the play
on the part Of the people has is advantage,
for 1t is some satisfaction to the auditor
to recognize the quotations with which he
Is so well acquainted as they are presented
In juxtoposition to the proper text.
Mr.. Whiteside has undoubtedly. given
much attention to the advice OF Hamlet to
the First Player, for he has ridded himself
Of most Of the faults he therein so roundly
condemns. His delivery OF the noble lines
he is called upon to speak is most pleasing,
while his carriage on the stage has taken
on the easy grace of one accustomed to his
surroundings. In the really climactic stu
atoms Of the play. that at the end Of the
second act, that In the throne room when
the play has trapped the conscience of the
king, and that in the chamber of the queen
mother, he exhibited not only the neces-
sary force TO make the scene go, but the
repression necessary to keep II from going
too far.
His supporting company Is acceptable.
Mr.. Chester gives a very good presentation
of Polonius, the pedantic, garrulous and
somewhat meddlesome old chamberlain
and Miss Wolstan does reasonably we'll as
ophelia. others In the cast acquit them
selves with credit. Hamlet" was heard last
night by a large and rather critical audi
ence. which bestowed we'll merited applause
literally on the star.
At the matinee this afternoon Mr.. White
side will present Merchant of Venice" and
this evening his engagement ends with
Richard III"