The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-22
BRILLIANT PAGEANT
PRODUCTION OF "THE TEMPEST"
 MORE THAN A PLAY.
Twin Stars, Messrs. Warde and James Presented an Entertainment, Which Was a Revelation in
 Modern Stagecraft.

The production of The Tempest" at the l Montgomery Theatre last night was a pageant rather than a play. It was a se-
 ries of splendid stage pictures. each suc- ceeoing one apparently more beautiful | than the last
 The tableaux, the pallets, the electrical effects were beautiful. No other road production has euualled them The scenic effects were gorgeous.
 From the first vivid vision of the temp est and the storm-swept sea, the sinking ship surmounted by the figure of Ariel, to the final series of tableaux, called forth by the magic of Prospero, the stage pictures were superb.
 The production was masterful presen- tation of the possibilities of stagecraft in | the beginning of the twentieth century. It is the simple truth to say "The Tempest" was brilliantly staged.
 Nor alone in the stage setting was the production notable. The costumes were equally as gorgeous. Robes of green and gold. of sable and ermine, gowns of vel vet and filmy lace creations fitted well in- to their gorgeous settings
 Chief interest lay in the masterful way In which 'The Tempest was produced, rather than in the performance of the twin stars, Frederick Warde and Louis James. There were in the play but few opportunities for the display of their art. The attraction of the play lies not so lines as in the possibilities for represent ing nature in many of her strikingly beau- | tiful moods or the representations of elves, fairies and other strange fancies of the earth and air. The great playwright was in his most fancifui mood when "The Tempest came from his brain. Not even
 "A Midsummer Nights Dream holds more more Of the mystioally beautiful than does The Tempest"
 The parts filled by MT. Warde and MT. James were not so important as those which belong usually to stars. They found no occasion to hold for any length time the action of the play revolve about them Their personalities. to considerable de- gree, were sunk to achieve the artistic success of the performance
 MT. Warde appeared as Prospero, the unhappy Duke in exile. The part Is largely declamatory. and MT. warde in- vested it with manly dignity and impress sive strength
 The odd. unlovely Caliban was played by Mir. James. mournfulIy in keeping with the strange creatures inexpressible unhappness. It is altogether a unique role for star. but MT. James made it stand out clearly and distinctly. His makeup was impressive enough to be almost a stroke of genius.
 In the minor roles Thomas Caffiin Cooke
 as Trinculo the jester shone. MT. Cooke interpreted the peculiar humor of Shake speare in a most effective way and with | the assistance of Wadsworth Harris as Stephano. he won continued laughter and
 applause from the audience. Norman Hackett as Ferdinand was not
 only youthful and handsome but he played the role with intelligent power. The Ariel of Miss Edith Fassett was all together good. It Is a difficult role but Miss Fassett met its possibilities. The Miranda of Miss Teresa Maxwell
 was pleasing and satisfactory. She car
 ried conviction.
 The other members of the company were up to the standard.
 One of the greatest audiences of the season saw the performance. Standing
 room only tickets were sold on every
 floor of the house. The great audience
 was vastly pleased with the production and the principals were forced to respond to several curtain calls.
 The reception accorded The Tempest last night goes far to solve the question of Does Shakespeare payr' It shows that the plays can be fnoney-makers when they are produced with the lavish ness which goes with the successful so- called musical comedy.
 Lovers of that which is distinctly good in the drama are indebted to Messrs.
 Wagenhals and Kemper. the enterprising theatrical managers who have made such entertainment possible. That they are meeting with succesc in the great un- dertaking is a hopeful augury for the future of the American staRA