The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-10-12
"ALExANDER THE GREAT"
In Which Cast Appears Louis James
and Frederick Warde, Oct. IS.

In Which Cast Appears Louis James
and Frederick Warde, Oct. IS.
Among the comparatively few liv-
ing actors who will be chronicled in
future histories of the present period
of the American stage, none will have
a more deserving place than Mr..
James or Mr.. Warde, whose joint ap-
pearance is announced at the Walla
Walla theatre next Tuesday evening.
Neither Of these famous artists have
ever prostituted their talents by ap-
pearing in trashy plays, nor have
they earned fame or reward by vulgar
methods They have each shown
jealous affection for the highest dra-
matte ideals, and, if public esteem be
any criterion they have attained these
ideals more nearly than have most of
their contemporaries. The field in
which they almost continually worked
has been the classic drama; prob
ably three-fourths of their career hay
ing been devoted to Shakespeare
They. therefore, selected the most
strenuous life the drama Affords; but
their annual tours with the varied
productions they have presented
would, if summed up, constitute a
liberal dramatic education. With
all this, they have succeeded in re-
tanning an enviable popularity which
assures them a substantial reward
for their labors.
Their forthcoming engagement viii
have the element OF novelty, as on
this occasion, for the first time in
many years, they will appear in an
entirely new play, written by Rupert
Hughes and Collin Kemper, founded
On the life Of Alexander the Great
whose exploits and the history of
whose time, furnish the most enter
tanning pages of classic literature.
Since the time when this famous
warrior had form and being, refer
ences to his characteristics or incl
dents in his career. have been reiter-
ated in every literary decade, and
monuments to his genius and power
still exist and flourish Alexander,
for instance, the capital of Egypt,
was founded by Alexander, and is the
only important city in the world
which takes its name from an individ-
ual whose fame has not passed into
oblivion.
For those whose historical knowl-
edge is limited, it may be interesting
L relate that Alexander the reat only |
twenty years of age when he succeed
ed to the throne; that he died at thir-
ty-three, and that in the interim;
that is, in less than thirteen years, |
from a petty monarch of a small
kingdom, he became practically tnc
military ruler of the world, his life
being one long campaign, during
which he conquered every country OF
which he or his people had any
knowledge. That the life of such a |
man should be fraught with those ex-
citing incidents and adventures which
provide action and atmosphere for a
stirring play may be easily imagined,
even by those unfamiliar with his BIZ
ography.
Nearly, and probably every great
man in history has had an enemy with
whom he could not cope, and Alexan-
der was not an exception. The man
who finally worked his overthrow and
brought about his death, was Perdic-
cas-. The weapons by means of which
he accomplished his purpose, were
those of deceit, intrigue and conspir-
acy, under pretence of loyalty and
friendship. Two widely contrasting
characters had to be provided for
Mr.. James and Mr.. Warde, and be-
tween which there must exist a dra-
matte conflict. Perdiccas was in the
zenith of political power before the
accession of Alexander, whom he
tries to ruin in his youth by encourag-
ing him to ignoble pursuits. Through
out the action of the play he is al
ways plotting disaster for Alexander,
using others for his tools. Like Iago
he finally succeeds, which provides
the tragic climax of the drama 1t is
in these two roles that these famous
stars will appear: Mr. James as
Alexander and Mr.. Warde as Perdic-
cas-.
That the play is presented by
Messrs Wagenhals and Kemper is an
assurance in itself, that the produc-
ton in the matter of scenic and other
accessories will be Of lavish nature.
Many of the familiar faces seen
with this organization last season,