Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-02-04
GIGANTIC
Rendering of King
Richard Ill.
A Highly Successful
Performance.
Originality Shown In
Every Move.
Audience Was Small, But Keenly
Appreciative.

From the opening address of Richard,
Duke of Gloster down through the
eventful career of that luckless and
wicked monarch to his deserved death
on Bosworth Field, the production of
king Richard ILL.," as performed by
tie Jackson Dramatic club at the Grand
Opera house, Monday night had the
merit of more originality of interpreta-
tion than any ouher production of the
famous piece that has ever stood ut
bay before an Akron audience MI.
Frank IL. Jackson's conception of the
title role was different than anything
Of the kind that has been enacted by
any tragedan in the professional
ranks. This uniquencss of rendering
was followed by every member of the
cast.
The audience was small and the
house was most distressingly cold, but
all gathered in the seats in the front
rows, huddled together, blew fingers
and stamped feet to keep warm, and
were nightly entertained by the per-
fOrlnance. With reference to the his
torlcal correctness of the costumes,
some little criticism might be made.
Lord Buckingham appearance in a
derby hat, and the Disgusting of the
two murderers of Edward under the
same head covering, was an innova-
tiOn original with this company, as
was the attlring of Lord Reyers In II
sack coat Of the vintage, of 1902, and
the uniforming of Il bold Sir Knight
in the fatigue uniform Of modern
corporal of militia.
Queen Margaret was portrayed by
Miss Lillian Rogers, who is an exceed
insly strong young woman ana physi.
cally able to stand UP under the weight
of sorrow and adversely which brset
the prosecuted queen. But for the un.
fortunate practice of her mobiles in
stepping on her train and interrupting
the festivities almost whenever Mar,
garet got busy, Miss Rogers rendering
of the part was one which brought out
strenuous applause from all in tn.
house.
Mr.. II. h. Hamlin's work as Lord
Hastings was easy and conversational
in which his acting was closely resem
bled by that of Col, Il. w. Hughes, as
Edward, Duke of Clarence, and later
as Lord Buckingham, Miss Maud
Johnston as Queen Elizabeth was pret.
tiest picture on the stage. Naturally
graceful, her work, while not as heavy
as that of Miss Rogers, was very
pleasing to tie house.
The appearance of the spirits of
murdered Queens and mobiles at Rich
ards camp at Tamworth, the night
before the battle was realistic and all
the mechanical effects of stage realism
which were ut hand, We're introduced
TO carry out the effect.
There were no long waits, as DR..
$, W. Johnston acted as "comic pro-
ductor,' and impersonated number
of roles, from that of Il German Just
over" to that Of rural comedian who
came out ON tie stage and announced
that he had just chased that oiu
caow fourteen miles" The introduce
ton of continuous vaudeville between
the acts aud scenes of tragedy, 1t
may also be stated, Is an innovation
original with this company.
That the performance was pleasing
to all who We're there, was evident
from the uproar that was constantly
heard In the audience, and ms the sue.
cess of n production is usually meas
ured by its effect ON the audience, this
play may be said to have been one of
the greatest Successes of the season
The cast of characters follows:
Richard, DuNc of Gloster, Mr.. +. Il
jackson.
Queen Anne, Miss Lillian Rogers.
Queen Margaret, Miss Lillian Rogers
Clarence, Col, h. w. Hughes.
Brakenburg, Mr.. r., Scott.
Lord Hastings, Mr.. Il. b. Hamlin.
Tressel, Mr., Il. Archer.
Berkeley, Mr.. Il. Cross
Lord Reycrs, Mir. r. Scott.
Queen Elizabeth, Miss Maud John
ston.
buckingham, Col. II. w. Hughes.
stanley Mr. Wilbur Johnston.
Catesby, Mr. Il. Cross.
First murderer, Tyrcl, Mr.. f. Il
liamlin.
Second murderer Mr., Il. Cross.
Richmond Mr., II. Scott,
oxford, Mr. Il, .,rcaer.
Radcliffe, Mr. Wilbur Johnston.
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