New-York tribune., 1903-01-25
G. H. SOTHERN TALKS ABOUT SHAKESPEARE
Tells of the Hok and Study Preparation for the
Performance of Hamlet

Z H Sothern. who has been playing Hamlet"
for the second time in his career at the Garden
Theatre Tor the last month-his first attempt 10
portray the character having been two seasons
aro-Rin lay the play aside FOR the present and viii
be seen tomorrow in his success OF last season.
IT ! Were King This does not mean. however.
THAI he Is done with the great Shakespearian
drama. In addition 10 the production Of Romeo
and Juliet" which he is planning for next season
aas The other plays he win from time TO time bring
s-t AIr. Sothern intends TO keep Hamlet perrla-
aertly his list OF plays. 20 grow, Il possible
no fuller achievement Of the poets conception
nd 10 satisfy the demands OF his own intellectual
aTUre for part that means constant srappie-
For said M Sothern the other afternoon. sit
1c in the library his home in West Sixty-ninth-
- Just OF the park, there il a pleasure IN such
part as Hamlet does not ind in the lesser
days Playing Hamlet IL a constant intellectual
--rtesr that never grows less with repetition II Is
5c.sIre &c play il I hope il vii, be long time
fore put II aside for good Now that my pres
n and second attempt il the character is over,
..la take il were. account OF stock, ana make
dear in part both the pleasure and the difficult
-ses I nave encountered II has been for me an
a5=orbinE and busy season. that look back on
-z-h delight.
To begin a. the beginning-for. no matter how
many different and widely contrasted parts an ac-
Tor may assume. each one is help 10 the next
s-t In part explains it-I began my stage life with
-, intention OF ever playing Hamlet any part
IKE Il NJ great ambition shine in the
~a-ts ny father presented in comedy roles This
v-ss also the ambition Of my brother II was q
tonc while before fully discovered that the Dent
~ nv nature was toward serious parts; that IN
.l7-, r7,v i was 10 succeed at all, could sue
-5es with any satisfaction 10 myself I.think that
III along I had a fzlIbconscious leaning toward
-ze but the force Of ny fathers influence kept II
buried. And. on the whole. 1 am not sure that
7 aid not discover this natural leaning q bit 100
soon The comedy training can do no harm In
ny eariv days. toe, I played for two seasons IN
Shakespeare with John Mccullough. and that tram
ing vas invaluable Indeed. il is a training next
70 ir7possible 10 get now as discover IN picking
g. assz Not only did 1 learn how Mccullough
---s5 Sr.kesneare knowledge that, by a tena-
--7s memory retain the least bit OF business
IN this day. but felt the atmosphere Of Shake
z,eare around ne. Just 10 feel for wear or Two
mat atmosphere all the time is 10 gain something
nat may seem vague possession. but, assure
YOU Is very real and present help.
We'll Hamlet has come at last And know
--o-e Than ever what constant battle is success
Tanks 20 hundreds OF letters from intellleenL
-e-sons and 10 the critics VINO write Of production
zio,sIv not with the sole intent 70 be clever am
r-z-7 az-a-e that I an not the best Hamlet that
eve- was : hope 70 be better than an some
dav That IS part Of the pleasure in playing the
-a--- cash tine YOU come OF the stage you want
70 20 hack and Go il all over again. you know
vog could do il so much better. There are q
raousand requirements TO meet. thousand changes
oy al infection. a gesture, a tone 70 make your
conception more appealing 70 the audience; ano
vou struggle TO realize more Of them all the
tine
n playinr Hamlet Mr. Sothern's visitor said
You speak 10 nobody during the perfOrrnanc nee
but remain alone n your dressing room Is that
Four custom always"
NO Il Is not" the actor replied. And because
r follow Il IN Hamlet you may better understand
tne demands OF the character An actor should
always have his lines. his business. his gestures
dCra 20 such q degree OF mechanical, subcon-
sciors action that his part. n q measure, plays
-sel<. With many parts that is about all there is
TO 4 after z few performances. and one is glad
70 come OF the stage chat with MS friends be-
tzeeu cTes But III Hamlet there is such lax
f-v permissible. az least for II my dress
sre room before each go through all the lines
= the next trying where I make my
execution better 1T my conception. keeping ab-
Eo-5ed Il the part al the while II is easy
te- eve. 70 satisfy partially self. say moth