The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-15

but Shakespeare qualities this canon
of the art by adding the significant
restriction: with this special OBJ
servance that you o'erstep not the
lnodesty Of nature"
There's the rub" for in that torrent
of passion the modesty of nature is
too often put to the blush by these
our ACTORS"
Therefore it is that the great artist
must needs possess, in addition to in
nate dram ltic instinct and adequate
power of expression, a deep insight
into the springs of human nature, and
the rare endowment of good taste.
How many possess these latter at
tributes? 1t is a more agreeable ques-
ton than to inquire chow few"
But to return to Mr.. Bellew, whose
exquisite acting suggested these re-
Elections, it is gratifying to know that
his lliStrionic talent does not Confine
lants Of romantic drama, to the Ro-
meos and Claude Melnottes of the
stage, even though there be few in
deed of these classic lovers.
Who that ever beheld Bellows re-
markable impersonatior OF the detest-
able Marat in that drama of the Reign
of Terror entitled, Charlotte Cor
day. will ever forget it? Upon the
occasion of his previous visit to St.
Paul, some years ago, in conjunction
with Mrs. Potter, Mr.. Bellew present
ed his stage portrait of this despica-
bic character. 1t was this embodi-
ment of a human being so utterly diff
ferent from, so strikingly contrasted
with the chivalrous lovers, he had been
wont to delineate, that convincingly
revealed the power and scope of his
art.
While in point Of physique, grace
symmetry of cOuntenance and mobiI-
40
bOuntifut with Bellew, she did not en-
dow him with a voice remarkable for
richness, power or depth of tone, as
she has some other well known &C
tors, notably-of those yet living
Louis James, but nevertheless such is
Bellows art and skill in the manage
Inent OF his voice that it always seems
adequate to the expression of every
emotion.
Comparisons are odious, and none
Will be made here, between Mr.. BeLew
and other actors, but the mention of
Louis James voice likewise brings to
mind some satisfying recollections of
ms eloquent delivery of Shakes pearean
blank verse.
Having in mind James sonorous,
dlgn1hed, impressive reading of
the majestic speeches of Othello and
Brutus, l hate to think of him clown
ing it as Bottom the Weaver They
JnaJ
SAVIOR OF the burleSque, but his forte
certainly does not lie in them His
scholarly associate, Frederick Warde,
once declared it his opinion that if
Louis James had been man of serious
purpose, he would have made a second
Edwin Forrest. That was not an ex-
traVagant assertion, in the opinion of
those who, have seen Louis James in
MS too few serious moments
recollect performance of "OtheIlo''
given by Warde and James at the
metropolitan opera house in this CITY
some years ago, in which James played
the Moor. His impersonation of this
grand character was deeply impress
SlVe. E11s-rich, resonant voice filed the
theater with the eloquent periods and
revealed the Opulent beauties of the
\ ShakeSpearean text in glowing coIors.
Yet this same 1rrepressibIe, irreyerent
Jester, If frolicsOme mood happened
10 seize him, would. like as not, add to
the highest flight of the Moor's tropical
fancy an impromptu gag-sotto voice of
course, Tor his fellow players benefit
that would come dangerously near un-
setting their gravity, while those in the
wings would split their sides with
laughter.
This season Messrs. Warde and
James, under the liberal management of
Wagenhalls and Kemper, are present
ing ShakeSpeare'S Tempest" which
the French actor, Coquelin, once de-
clared 'the divinest poem ever
dreamed by the mind of man" James
is playing the malignant Caliban. and
Warde the stern and majestic Prospero
Credible reviewers of the performance
have spoken in the most enthusiastic
praise of James portrayal of the evil
spirit. 1t is easy to believe their com
mendation is merited, as anybody can
tesufy who ever beheld Mr.. James in
the role of Pope, the Jester, in Bakers
masterful tragedy, francesca da Ri
mini"
1t was in that character that James.
nearly twenty years ago, quite eclipsed
the late Lawrence Barrett's admira Bile
Pofrayal OF the deformed andswronged
Lahelotto. Fred G. Hunt.