The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-14
Julius Caesar at the Jefferson.


Marcus Antonlus 80. Mr.. Arthur Forrest
Caius Cassius -. Mr.. Frederick Paulding
Marcus Brutus 80. Mr. Richard Mansfield
Casea .................,,. Mir, w. II. Denny
Trebonius ............, Mr.. A. G. Andrews
Metelus Climber. Mr.. William Haworth
Decimus Brutus Mr.. Ernest c. Warde
Legarius .......... Mr.. Edward Fitzgerald
Popilius Lena Mr. William j. Sorelle
Publius ......,..........M Mr. w. r. Simpson
CHINA .....................M MIR. M. C. Tilden
Cicero ...................Mr. Grant Mitchell
Calphurnia ..........M Miss Maude Hoffman
Portia ............ Miss Dorothy Hammond
Act IA public place in Rome, on the
occasion of the feast of Lupercal.
Act II-Garden before the house of
Marcus Brutus on the night of the con-
splracy.
Act III-scene 1.-The house of julius
Caesar. Scene "A street in Rome. Scene
3-In the capitol The death of Caesar.
Act IV-The forum.
Act V-The tent of Marcus Brutus, In
camp near Sardis.
Act VI-scene 1.-The wooded plains of
Philippi. Scene 2-The death of Brutus.
What a splendid representative audi
ence 1t was, coming up from every part
of the state, filling the Jefferson from pit
to dome-an audience that any actor
would be proud to appear before The
upper boxes were filled by fair young coll
legians. and the public schools did their
part. Last nights audience may be the
last great one OF the season, but even II
there should be other full houses. no one
who was present last night would soon
forget the occasion.
They came to see the most ornate and
elaborate production of the masters
great historical play that has ever been
brought TO this state. Once in a lifetime
Is as often as such a revival Of Julius
Caesar" takes place In the provinces"
This time Alma-Tadema planned the
scenery. costumes and accessories and
they are considered by excellent scholars
to be historically correct. What Alma
Tadema planned the best of scenic paint
ers carried out, and a succession of noble
Views were presented-the streets Of
Rome, the garden of Brutus house, the
Forum, the tent at Sards, the wooded
plains of Philippi 1t was surprising how
carefully every detail was attended to-
how well the mob was drilIed-how the
atmosphere of Old Rome permeated
everything.
AS soen as Mr., Mansfield appeared as
Brutus all old paygoers saw at once
that their memories of Booth and Bar
rett and even Frederick Warde and
Louis James must be dismissed If they
were to enjoy the play. Mansfield cuts
wholly loose from all traditions of the
H., iii
and sonorous, and at times sweet and
tender. The sad undertone of Booths elo-
auent lines must even be dismissed. All
such lofty defamation is now consid-
cred artificial, and Mr. Mansfield gives
us instead simplicity, directness and WV
idness, without loss of dignity or poetry.
At first the audience regretted the
change, but as the great actor gradually
unfolded the part. all came to like the
new rendition
But critics will differ as to the Brutus
that Mr.. Mansfield presents After the
lofty scene had been acted over and
Brutus lay. or rather sat up, dead, Marc
Antony thus describes him.
This was the noblest Roman of them
all.
All the conspirators, save only he,
Did that they did In envy of great
Caesar;
He only. in general honest thought,
And common good to all, made one of
them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him, that Nature might
stand UP,
And say to all the world. This was a
mani
Did Mr.. Mansfield present such he
no? Did he present a man of energy and
resolution, fully conscious of the recti-
tude Of his conduct? At first he certainly
fun of evil presentiments, over whom
some disaster or doom seemed to hang
some disaster or doom that Brutus him
self felt II he did not forsee But the
character was slowly unfolded, until in
the tent scene and at Philippi the nobil-
ity and self---sacrifice of the noble Bru-
tus shone out and impressed all spec
tators.
The part of Brutus Is not ordinarily the
leading part. but Mr.. Mansfield, easily
made II So dwarfing every other player
on the stage He is rarely declamatory.
never boisterous, but he is ever magnetic.
and at times there is sweet music in his
voice
The support was not brilliant. but IT
was reasonably strong. Mr. Forrest. as
Marc Antony was flexible and effective.
and after the memorable speech in the