The San Francisco call., 1903-01-27
Frederick Warde and Louis James Bring to
Life Gossamer Dreams of The Tempest
Nance ONen Shows Strength in Judith

II seems a long way from Prosper's
delicate isle-suspended like an opal
between earth and heaven-to Mar
u ket street. Ones feet found the
earth strange after wandering with
Ferdinand and Miranda through its en-
chanted wilds last night: after following
Ariel's flight, and cringing with Caliban.
Warde and James-to whom heaven
send a long conjunction--are personally
conducting a tour thither this week at
the Columbia Theater, giving likewise a
performance of THE Tempest" that is
little short of perfection.
A rare privilege. indeed, it is to see this
most rarely presented comedy thus pre-
sented. Hardly grain is lost of its es-
sential poetry IFS affluent fancy. its sue
culent humor and its ripe wit. Scenically,
too. everything contributes TO the illusion,
and in Max de Crosses effective Incl
dental music further note of grace is
added. The company includes a compet-
ent ballet and nothing has been left un-
done that would further justice and beau
~ OF production.
The Caliban of Mr.. James is perhaps
the most striking feature of the finely
efficient cast. 1t is case of complete
fusion with the character, for the James
we know could not be more completely
lost I'm Milpitas than he is IN the red rel
hide OF Caliban. The programme hardly
persuaded that the grotesque figure, COW
cred with Il sandy Shag, crouching, snarl-
ing. head swaying horribly from side to
side. was Louis James. James of the Car
dinars robe and kingly scepter But twas
most bravely done, the figure falling into
the picture as Shakespeare himself posed
it, its grotesquerie not a whit overdone
its brute pathos indicated with ripe and
supple art. Mr.. James has done nothing
better: few things so entirely well.
Frederick Warde was the noble Pros
pero. and tbs a pleasure to hear his
voice in blank verse again. A little the
atric-or IL would not be Frederick
Warde- his Prospero yet partakes of the
fantastic lGhtness Of the whole perform
ance Rather perhaps to Prospero. the
fond father. than TO Prospero, the noble
dreamer, does the conception incline but
its hslmor is beyond assan After the
third act the audience demanded a speech
and gracefully as ever Mr.. Warde
wished all good things to everybody
Singularly fortunate is the cast in it's
Miranda. Miss Teresa Maxwell Delicate
as etching Of Helleu. with the fresh
ness Of a daisy and the hue and frag-
rance of a wild rose Is Miss Maxwell S
Interpretation of Miranda Her comedy
is delightful naivete and spontaneity ruI-
ing its method. She is charmingly girl
ish. and whether as the loving daughter
Of Prospero or as the lover of Ferdinand
is charmingly natural in all her express
sion Ferdinand was undertaken by Nor
man Hackett, who, with his gift of the
true romantic accent. cut manly figure.
1t is very good of him to sing, for one
feels he would rather not. Neither does
grand opera greatly gain. He has gained
much in delcacy and repose since his last
appearance here, and was thoroughly pic
turesque and in degree poetic in the
part
Miss Edith Fassett has the difficult and
delicate Ariel TO handle. and is a truly
sprightly elf. She dances gracefully, and
is at need all the role demands
The smaller parts were filled in most
carefully There is a good actor coming
iR Thomas Weadock, who has the part
OF Sebastian. There is a stunning Trim
culo in Thomas Coffin Cooke, and Wads-
worth is clever Stephano. Gonzalo is
well done by ]. II. Hollingshead, and the
others are all sympathetic. The scenery
got several hands for itself alone. 1.-The
Tempest" is the piece of the week
GUISARD.