New-York tribune., 1902-02-09
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
OTIS SKINNER.

,I- Skinner who has been acting in the Victoria
Theatre since December 81. ended his engagement
-here last night and said Farewell He has had a
brilliant personal success-as Lanciotto. in Boxer
,oble tragedy Of Francesca da Rirnini, and
wherever he goes he ought to be. and doubtless he
vill be- welcomed with enthusiasm and rewarded
with prosperity and honor In this period OF the
atrical commercalism IA period teeming with ex-
erments and pretentious fripperies) it is no slight
hing TO have succeeded in acting a great tragic
mart Mr SINNERS impersonation OF Lanciotto
nossesses double charm, since il not only displays
his own rare talents and deep devotion TO the
dramatic art but preserves the tradition of Edwin
Booth and Lawrence Barrett.-traces Of whose
methods both simulative and elocutionary, appear
in his actinC,-and thus entwines the past with the
crescent awakening memory while giving pleasure
ana imparting to the theatrical audience
sense Of the excellence that delighted the old 1t is
an embodiment remarkable for repose, power, in
tense feeling. and rare symmetry The author has
allotted to Lanciotto in all his scenes. and espe-
rialIy in the last one. excess of words and
sor that reason the actor of the part must al
vravs BE- somewhat impeded in reaching dra-
matte effects; but Mr. Skinner speak
1ank verse and his fluent delivery of
,bo sneeches is so musical, tender, so ex-
,-assi-e and so entirely natural that language
..Ii,,q from his lips becomes a part of action
and the listener is held in a complete illusion.
Great feeling more especially when 1t is that Of
.H,c.ion does not speak much. but tends
sfle rather than speech. ana l-anclotto Is eS-
sartfally a character Of grievous emotion-a great
so,,l in deformed body: a man whose feelings
have Ali bee1 checked by adverse fate and thrust
hack 1lpon himself. He has indeed his one instant
~ RAPTURE when deceived well self-deluded.
10 hel,a,ae himself 10 be loved. and in this instant
r. -,sz we'll he eloquent Mr.. Skinners acting
and snaaking in this scene-which occurs when
I7ra,ceeca consents 10 the betrothal-are at all
,oin-s sIperb but it IS rather by a beautiful
forroity of impersonation throughout. than by
ex,ertness At points that he gains his
victory leaving in remembrance a rounded
,d e,ished image Of a perfectly distinct ideal
The +ernrest Of passion at the close of the cathe-
5-al scene might be intensified 10 advantage and
the tremendous emotion Of the closing scene that
~ the sacrifce-wherein the awful calm Of Ian
ciotto is that of contendng passions poised at the
supreme height Of tense frenzy.-might well be
made more vital and thrilling But Mr.. Skinner
has done enough. in this single performance. 10
show himself truly a tragedian-and that is a
noble title and one TO be proudly worn. Mr.. Skin
ner's achievement as Lanciotto would show more
clearly for what it is worth il he surrounded
by better actors Miss Van Dresser. whose speak
ing voice is harsh. metallic and nasal, spoils al
most every line that she utters Francesca, by
misplaced emphasis-the sure denotement of a lack
of intelligence. Mr.. Aubrey Bouccault. who speaks
OF his "dooty' imeanng duty. presents Paolo. who
ought to be a vision OF manly enchantment, a
dry brittle, vapd. effemnate BOBBY; while Mr.
William Norris as Pepe "a most excellent part
stands IN front of the character overloads IT with
prol1ity Of detail, mouths its language distorts IT
# entirely vehicle for self-conscious display. But
Il IS on the central figure that attention rests Mr..
Skinner has succeeded in a splendid endeavor, and
he should be honored for II W. ".