The Washington times., 1903-09-13

will be supplied by splendid productions
of The Merchant OF Venice" and "Rich-
ard H."
Student and Star.
1t is now just eleven years since pre-
parations were made in this city for Mr.
Hanford's initial tour as a Shake
spearean star. He had possessed himself
Of the famous Booth Barrett production
of Julius Caesar" and planned to enact
1t with every confidence in it's sufi =
cheney. Today he himself has surpassed
1t a dozen times
Mr.. HanfoTd's career has been de-
cidedly eventful. His artistic associa-
ttons have been invariably OF the most
dignifed character. Every performance
with which he has been Identified has
been distinguished by richness of scenic
equipment and the eminence of his fell
low performers.
His most important step was taken
when he became a member of Edwin
Booths company, later he was conspic-
uously identified with the we'll remem-
bered Booth Barrett productions, ap-
peared with the Booth dodjeska combi-
nation. played leads with Julia Marlowc,
and among other important engagements
appeared a joint star in the James,
Kidder Hanford and the McLean-TyIer-
Hanford productions. Mr. Hanford also
! appeared in the alI-star cast of Rose
dale" and assisted Robson and Crane in
their notable production of The Comedy
| OF Errors
Mr. Hanford's route is booked solid"
up to the first OF next June. After a
few weeks in the East. his tour will
take him through the Middle West to
Texas. and thence TO the Pacific Coast,
where he viii play engagements in San
Francisco and Los Angeles The re-
turn Eastward in the spring over the
Northern Pacific Railroad will bring his
| season TO close in Chicago the last of
May
! Mr.. Hanford's favor in the South and
/ West has monopolized the larger por-
tion Of his bookings for the past four or
| five years. This is to be true again.
Carpenters, scene painters, and cos
| tuners have been busiIy engaged; re-
| hearsals have been actively in progress,
and with the business of his last sea-
son as a criterion. Mr.. Hanford feels
confident OF the most prosperous tour
| that he has ever made.
In no less than seven new theaters he
will be the opening attraction. The
company is made up of twenty-five per-
sons many of whom hold records of
service in the Interpretation OF Shakes
peare that cover longer periods of time
than his own
A Notable Company
Ferdinand Hight. for instance. played
leading roles with some OF the most not
able actresses the stage has ever known.
among them being Rhea. Mrs. Bowers,
and Modjeska. other members OF Mr..
Hanford's company include Frederick
Forester. who will play leading roles
with Mr. Hanford. has filled similar po-
sitions with Frederick Warde and Cres-
ton Clarke Frank Peters. Devore Par
mer, John H. Connery, Henry MacRade.
p J Ford. Caryi Ginen. NJ. c. Stone,
T. L. Stoddard, George K. Hoffman
Robert II. Bontz, George F. Hayes,
Charles w. Meakin, Eugenia Webb. Mar
garet Oswald, Helen Raymond. Bessie
Hunter Hight, Inez shannon, Zillah
shannon. and Master Francis Shannon,
make up the support"
The leading feminine roles will be
played by Marie Drofnah. whose brill
liant performances of Katherine in The
Tanning Of the Shrew' the past two sea-
sons has eminently fitted her for the po-
sition she now holds. Many friends in
this city have noted her rapid advance
ment. and many OF them predict the day
is not far distant when she will occupy
a position among the most noted women
who have essayed to embody Shakes
peare's delightful heroines
F. Lawrence Walker. the manager of
the company, has been associated with
Mr.. Hanford in some responsible ca
pacity ever since the latter became
star.
The tour will open in Reading, Pa, on