The Washington times., 1902-02-11
William Norris, Aubrey BOucicauIf,
md Marcia Van Dresser Add to
the Enjoyment of the Boxer Trag-
cdy-Other Attractions
COLUMBIA francesca da Rimini," a
tragedy BY George Boxer

decade and more ago a Young actor
| appeared in this city supporting the emf
nent tragedian Lawrence Barrett in his
revival of Boxers tragedy. Francesca da
Rimini." He played the character OF
Paolo to Mr.. Barret.'s Lanciotto. The
actor was Otis Skinner. 1t is said he
made handsome and excellent Paolo.
Perhaps he yearned even then to play the
brother, Lanciotto
Last evening at the Columbia he was
seen for the first time here In that part
and he played 1t we'll; but there may have
been feeling among some in the audi
ence that they would rather have seen
him in the old role of Paolo.
Mr.. Skinner could not be bad in any
thing he attempted. AS Lanciotto he is
admirable. but there appears to be some
thing lacking. 1t was not his art. OF that
he is master. Lanciotto is a great
dramatic character; a great soul impris-
oned in a misshapen body; intense in
every feeling. STEPPED in bitterness born
OF his deformity; tender and magnani-
nous. yet capable of frantic excess. of
terrible ferocity; with a heart SO tender
and SO full of love that when he thought
he was loved in return his passion was
wild in its exultation.
Probably it is in the intensely tragic
scenes that Mr.. Skinner is not so salts
flying as in some others. In the more
quiet episodes his acting could no. be
surpassed, but when he rises to the tu-
multuous heights his voice. though music
al always, seemed to lack the power to
portray that terrible nervous violence in
herent in the character. His interpreta-
ton of the role is precise and intel
iectual When Lanciotto is swayed by
conflicting emotions, daring to hope. yet
conscious of the futility of that hope,
nothing could have been finer than Mr..
SINNERS acting. His consistent preser-
walton OF that vague. wistful rlournful-
ness, not weak, not foriorn, but reticent,
profound. pathetic, is a convincing ex-
preston of his finished art
The telling points of Boxers tragedy
succeed each other in an ascending scale.
In the earlier acts the tone Is quiet. As
the action progresses 1t becomes intense
in its violence. but it is always sombre,
the only relief being the sinister humor
of the jester Pope. The play shows Mr.
Skinner in an entirely different line OF
work than anything in which he has been
seen of late. II some OF his admirers do
not like him as well in the Boxer piece
as in other plays, they certainly must
admit that he is remarkably versatile.
Mr.. Skinner is surrounded by a quar-
tette CT excellent players. Probably the
best acting. aside from the stars. is done
by William Norris. as Pope. the jester.
The character is about the most brilliant
presence in the play. 1t shines with the
lustre of the reptile. Pepe's deformity IS
that of the mind, not of the body. de-
formity generated by long-continued and
excruciating cruelty. Mr.. Norris makes
the part about as hideously revolving as
can be imagined. and his portrayal will
take it's place alongside the other excel
len: character drawings Of this admi-
rablt actor. Aubrey Bohcirault makes
handsome and convincing Paolo. who,
while he would be loyal, is tempted and
yields to guilty love. Marcia Van Dres-
ser is beautiful as Francesca. and shows
considerable Improvement in her acting.
She plays the part with much feeling. and
last evening made a very good impress
sion. Francesca da Rimini' is mounted
finely.