Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-03-12
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
n lew YORK, March ITO adopt
M the Milesian form Of speech, the
only new thing IN metropolitan
theatricals this week Is an old
one. II has not, however failed 10
arouse a great deal of interest and
degree of discussion such az no other
revival has awakened In very long
time, Mr.. Forbes Robertson, with his
representation OF Hamlet came into
New York In the wake OF an apparently
spontaneous verdict on the part of sew
eral authoritative persons to the effect
that his impersonation of the melan-
choly Prince of Denmark was, II any
thing, better than that of the amented
Edwin Booth. This, of course, had
the effect Of stirring up resentment
among the ardent II elderly admirers
Of the great American actor even be-
fore they had seen what Mr., Robertson
had to offer. on the other hand there
Were many among the younger genera
ton quite ready 10 accept a new HAM
let In the place of one they had known
mainly by tradition, and between these
two factions there's an argumentatiye
tilt which makes II seem pity for
MI. Robertson that he didn't begin his
American season with the Shakespeare
tragedy instead of the unfortunate
Light that Failed" For, had this
controversy sprung into existence at
the opening Of the tour, Robertson
would surely have benefited by IL IN a
financial as we'll as an artistic, way,
As to the comparative merits of Mr.,
Robertson and Mr.. Booth, do not pre-
tend to offer an opinion. But | viii
say that the Robertson impersonation
Is scholarly thoughtful, poetic and
characterized by certain forcefulness
of the intellectual type. His readings
are lucid and betray no desire on the
actors part TO force new meanings into
phrases which to many students are
somewhat ambiguous This is high
ly artistic and polished Hamlet, and II
viii leave upon the public mind a high
ly agreeable recollection Of Mr.. Robert
son after the close Of his season, which
many Americans win regret, has not
been more successful In Its monetary
rewards.
The season at the Metropolitan Opera
House, which came to close last week,
was not successful excepting In the
instance OF the "Parsifal" production,
which was not included In the list of
performances supplied to the regular
stockholders, All through the winter
there were murmurs Of dissatisfaction,
not alone on this account but by rea-
son OF the mediocrlty OF the representa-
tions OF the other operas. Manager
Conreid did not bring forward single
singer Of sensational value, and he
made no revival which In any sense
surpassed those OF previous seasons.
The prma donnas and tenors upon
whom he relied most strongly, proved
failures, including Nine, Calve, Nine,
Akte and NJ. Naval, Caruso alone
gained distinction during the season,
but even that was Of the milk-and-
water sort. For the first time on rec
ord IN any country, Faust" was fail
ure In the Metropolitan repertoire, "A
"Parsifal" IN again to be the one
great feature Of next season under the
Conreid direction, Il IL apparent that
the subscription list will not include
the names Of all the present holders OF
privileges at the Opera House.
Within the past week Henry w
Savage has suddenly arisen to a post
ton OF very great prominence In the
world of theatrical management. His
career had already been marked by
such unbroken and notable success that
many persons had regarded him ms n
marvellous combination OF sagaclty and
good luck, but he had not shown any
indication OF desire 10 be more than
producer Of entertainments. Now,
however. by the acquisition OF theaters
and the extension OF his lines Of opera
ton to England and Australia he has
placed himself In direct competition
with the greatest interests In the
world. A few weeks hence Mr. Saw
ages prince Of Plsen" will be on
exhibition at the remodelled Shaftos-
bury theator London, and his other
enterprises viii follow from time TO
time as circumstances may suggest.
Later all these works Will 90 on to
Australia and New Zealand by ar
arrangement with George Musgrovo and
Frank Mckee. All this goes to show
what n really independent manager
may accomplish by making no direct
affiliations, yet seeking no antagonlsms,