The Indianapolis journal., 1903-04-26
THE CRITICISMS.

In the columns of the Journal the
morning after the festivals opening this
article appeared written by staff corre-
spondent: 1.-THE opening night OF the dra-
matte festival was favored with good
weather and Music Hall filled with
audience numbering five thousand. Bright
toilets made the scene one Of unusual br.I-
lancy. With exact promptness the foot
lights flashed up at 1880 During the over
ture the orchestra played My Country, lis
of Thee just as the magnificent drop cur
tain unrolled. This was the first signal for
applause. All of the mechnical part of the
performance moved like clockwOrk. Vast
the stage was and massive as were the
properties, there were no tedious waits. IL
has cost $4,000 TO put this play on the
stage, yet all was done as smoothly as in
our ordinary theaters Much surprise was
expressed in the rear OF the nall that the
auditors there could hear so perfectly.
The scenic effects are granted to be great
success and the acting was most dignified,
apparently in sympathy with the grandeur
of the surroundings. The crowning tri-
umph OF the scenic artists was where the
assassination took place.
II will be seen that the Journals corre-
spondent wisely steered clear OF becoming
entangled in the troublesome maze Of criti-
cism, taking il for granted that the actors
knew what they were about. But what an
avalanche OF praise and fault-finding
poured forth from the pens OF tie dramatic
reviewers of that day who took themselves
more seriously. 1t Is laughabie at this far
away date TO glance over some OF the re-
views OF the performance. The critic OF
the Cincinnati Enquirer said that Louis
James was ',creditable' in the role or
julius Caesar but that Lawrence Barrett
bore of the honors Of the evening; that
Mccullough gave a capable interpreta-
tion Of Brutus and that Murdoch was a
disappointment from first 10 last in the
character of Marc Antony. This critic
seemed 10 have an especial grudge against
the veteran Murdoch. for he devoted nearly
a column 10 as complete a roasting as
ever a player has received before or since.
MURDOCHS ACTING.
On the contrary most Of the other papers
held that Murdoch's acting was the most
remarkable feature Of the performance.
one reviewer declaring that his portrayal
Of Marc Antony was by far the most ar
tistic and most scholarly work ever seen
on the Cincinnati stage. And here is what
William Winter, at that time laying the
foundation for his brilliant caFeer as
dramatic critic. had 10 say in his letter
TO the New York Tribune; John McCul-
Tough Brutus was never so grand as to-
night, and Mr.. Murdoch. as Antony, had a
royal welcome and was recalled after the
Senate scene. The effect of time Is. or
course, noticeable in his acting. but the
fine intelligence. the large picturesque
treatment and the just and discreet elocu-
ton OF his performance make IL very
valuable lesson"
Romeo and Juliet" was the bin for the
second night OF the festival with Lawrence
Barrett as Romeo and Mary Anderson as
Juliet, Mccullough was the Mercutio. John
Lane the Caoulet and Frank Lane tho
Benvolio. On the third evening. Much Ado
About Nothing was presented. with Law
renee Barrett as Benedick. Mile. RAea as
Beatrice, Otis Skinner as Claudio Louis
James as Don Pedro and Marie Wainright
as Hero. In the performance OF "Othello.''
which was given on the fourth night OF the
festival. John Mccullough appeared IN the
title role with Mary Anderson as Des-
demona and Clara Morris as Emilia while
Lawrence played Iago Hamlet was the
next play OF the series James Murdoch
appearing as the melancholy Dane. with
| Mccullough as the ghost. Edmund Collier
as Claudius. Marie Wainright as Ophelia
and Nat Goodwin as the first gravedigger.
The only performance OF the festival that
was not a Shakspearean play was James
Sheridan knowless tragedy, The Hunch-
Walter. Barrett played Sir Thomas Cliff
/ ford. Nat Goodwin played Modus. Mary
Anderson played Julia and Kate Forsyth
appeared as Helen.