The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-06
TAMlNG OF THE SHREW
FINE PERFORMANCE BY MISS
 REHAN AND MIR. SKINNER.
Large and Cultured Audience at Montgomery Theatre Enjoyed a Dramatic Treat - Stage
 Settings Were Beautiful.

The night which brought into conjunction at the Montgomery Theatre twin stars of the masnitude of Ada Rehan and Otis Skinner was req letter occasion for the local lovers of the works of the Bard of Avon.
 The performance of ''The Tanning of the Shrew did full honor to the great dramatist. NO ideals were shattered, and no injury was done the reverence of Shakespeares most ar dent lover. The artistic excellence of the prin- cipal. the intelligent work of the support the carefulness as to details. the fidelity of the iavish stage settings combined to make the production harmonious whole of merit
 And the crowd that filled the Theatre to the doors spent the evening in satisfied enjoyment interrupted by an occasional burst of enthu- siasm There were fnany faces in the cultured audience unfamiliar to the regular theatre goers. faces of those who loved the drama in communion with books and who had grown fa- miiiar with Shakespeare by illumination other than footlights. They, too approved the mo- table performance. praised and commended the conception and reading of Miss Rehan and Mir Skinner.
 The Tanning of the shrew" is indissolubly linked In this generation with the name of Ada Rehan Katherine was her first, her greatest success. It Is her role. a role for which na- ture, her temperament, her poise of mind has fitted her. Her splendid physique has made Katherine in the mind of the theatrego- Ing public a vital, splendid type of womanhood. Her strong and mobile face portrays every phase of the uncurbed and violent emotions of an enraged woman. There Is effort, no straining for effect. as every sudden turn of thought. every recollection of fresh cause for anger from feminine sullenness to feminine rage writes themselves upon her face. It's a fine frenzy she shows in her violent anger. her eyes blazing. her teeth showing when she walks the stage a tigress does her cage eager to tear and render.
 Illuminating 1t all is her splendid rendition of her lines. naturally and effectively. the full meaning of each word sent home. the beauty of each thought made clear.
 MT. Skinner was a distinct surprise Unlike Miss Rehan he. in the opinion of the public. had not stepped upon his native heath when he assumed the role of Petruchio The public had associated him with the dreamy and TO- mantle. He was remembered with that beau tiful story of Stevenson's Prince Otto. the dreamy. lovable prince whom danger could rouse from the contemplatve idler to the hero, the doer of deeds
 But Mir. Skinner proved that he Is more than a one-part actor. His Petruchio convinc- ing evidence of his versatility. He showed him self not afraid of stage conventions and with Petruchio he broke boldly away from some of them. There was little of the swaggerer, the swashbucker in last nights Petruchio with which other players had portrayed the con queror of Katherine.
 Mir Skinners conception had in 1t more deli cacy and more refinement. It was none the less effective It is MT. Skinner's grace that so wins his audience. In his progress through the play. in his every move is grace and again grace.
 And the way in which he read his lines! It's difficult matter to write calmly of this great feature of his work. He has a strong voice. winning and we'll modulated. and his enuncia- ton is as ringing and clear as a bell The supporting company characterized by careful thoroughness as to details the little matters which count for much in round- ing out the complete success of a perform ance.
 Miss Mabel Howard, a beautiful young wo- man, was the Blanca. Her work was of a high order. She put into the part the gentleness and femininity that is essential to its ar tistic interpretation. She was not apparently bent in the least by the difficulties which the average player encounters in reading Shake speare's lines.
 The Grumio of Russell Crawford was good but 1t net the best that has been played to Miss Rehans Katherine.
 The Trania of Charles Wells was altogether good piece of work.
 In the introduction George Clarke played Christopher Sly ably and intelligently. It was one of the several meritorious things of the performance.
 The attraction tonight will be George Sidney in Busy Izzy."